BY DIANA SCHLAKE
Enquirer Contributor
LOVELAND -- Hundreds of hours and volunteers later, the East Loveland Nature Preserve is rolling out the green carpet.
On Saturday, nature lovers can survey modifications at the spruced-up preserve, north of East Loveland Avenue near the VFW hall. The open house will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"We feel that this is kind of a milestone in the development," said Norman Neal, vice president of Loveland Greenbelt Community Council.
"We're going to have representatives at various points along the trail system to give information on various aspects, on wildflowers, on the watershed and some historical information," he said.
"Basically it's to try to get the public more aware of the fact that the nature center is there and now has a trail system with signs so they can have a self-guided tour."
Originally the land was to be a sports complex, but after nearby residents expressed concern, a March 1996 proposal for a nature preserve was presented and accepted by city council.
The East Loveland Nature Preserve is 21 acres of wooded lands, with newly planted trees and foliage, and freshly cleared and mulched trails for a tranquil and enlightening trek through nature.
"It's not completed yet, but it's at a point now where it can be of use as an educational facility," Mr. Neal said. ". . . It's primarily there as a set-aside piece of land in its natural state -- just a nature preserve and trails at this point."
Expanding the trails, building steps down to the edge of a creek and re-establishing plant life the way it was 200 years ago are future projects.
The expectation of the nature preserve is simple: Make the land available for children in Loveland and surrounding school districts for educational field trips. Mr. Neal said informational tags can be found on the trees, and signs are posted along the trails with information about plants and geology.
The cleaning and clearing leading to Saturday's open house was no easy task.
City Councilwoman Mary Newman and nature preserve volunteers said they could have hired someone to do the work, but -- aside from not having the money -- allowing the community to volunteer made the most sense.
"In the course of two to three months, we had about 200 to 300 volunteers. It was wonderful watching the children build the trail," she said.
"Primarily the Loveland Greenbelt Community Council was kind of the spearheading force, but the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the local troops have participated," Mr. Neal said.
"The Eagle Scouts took on various projects, such as building a footbridge and expanding trails. The Boys Scouts cleared out debris and planted trees."
Children of all ages, from the Loveland Intermediate School to the high school, participated in the trailblazing and mulching. Funding for the signs, mulch and other items has come from grants from the Cinergy Foundation, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and fund-raisers by the greenbelt council.
"It's nice to have a nature preserve within the city limits. That is unique," Ms. Newman said. "It's right downtown and it's very peaceful. Most people will be surprised."
