By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TWP. - The township's latest land purchase for green space preservation brings the total acreage of land set aside in this congested suburb to about 640 acres.

Leaders here have purchased a four-acre parcel at the corner of Bennett and Markley roads that will be saved for green space.

The scenic heavily wooded property is bordered by a picturesque creek that runs along Bennett Road and is visible from westbound Interstate 275.

The township paid $70,000 for the land using its Greenspace Fund, which holds tax dollars remaining from a voter-approved green-space tax levy the trustees allowed to expire in 2000.

"This is not only one of our township's largest green space buys, but it also is a beautiful and very visible property," Township Trustee President Al Peter said.

Counting this purchase, Anderson's green-space portfolio includes 59 parcels totaling 555 acres. Another 85 acres are managed as green space, though they were not acquired with tax levy money.

The latest section of land was carved out of a nearly seven-acre parcel formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. William L. Dunham, who have retired to Florida. Their house and the other nearly three acres were sold separately. Trustee Peggy Reis, who conceived the green-space program in 1989, says purchases such as the Dunham property enhance Anderson's property values and ambiance.

A nine-member citizen township green space committee, with a real estate adviser and biologist who inspected the green space, worked months to secure this parcel. Committee chairman Ron Edgerton says Anderson is the only township in Ohio that has an active green space program funded by a tax levy.

Edgerton has been such an advocate in Anderson for green space preservation, he is the only resident in the township to twice win the Citizen of the Year Award, from the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. He was honored in 1992 and 2003

"We come out ahead because we get to protect a piece that otherwise might have been built on or altered forever with more homes," Edgerton said. "It will always stay green."

E mail jedwards@enquirer.com.