Special to 1808Delaware
Genoa Township will add 43.79 acres of land to its park system in January 2025 when it takes possession of Freeman Farm located at 6142 Lewis Center Road. The purchase was made possible with a grant from the Clean Ohio Fund.
The parcel adjoins 26.09 acres known as Jaycox Park owned by Genoa Township that is used seasonally for sledding and cross-country skiing. Ownership of adjoining properties will make the development of a multi-use trail connecting Jaycox Road to Lewis Center Road possible. Preservation of the site’s natural resources is a requirement of the state’s grant funding. The Township intends to maintain the site’s accessory buildings, including a historic barn.
“Competing with the pressure and resources of developers makes it difficult for township governments to acquire park land given our very limited funds,” said Trustee Renee Vaughan. “We are grateful to Bill and Lois Freeman for approaching Genoa Township with this opportunity and allowing us the time to apply for funding that ultimately made the preservation of the land and their family legacy possible.”
The transaction closed on 01/31/2024, however, Genoa Township will not take possession until January 2025. The purchase price totaled $2,400,000 of which $1,359,977 was paid using Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation funds, $765,000 in ARPA funds, and the balance of $275,023 was paid from the General Fund.
Freeman Farm has been owned by five generations of the Freeman family since they purchased it in 1868. The family’s acreage reduced slowly over time due to the construction of Interstate 71 and damming to create Alum Creek Reservoir. Area residents have enjoyed visiting the property for fall festivals including wagon rides, animal interaction, and a pumpkin patch.
“The Freeman family name is and always will be well known to residents as early settlers in the area,” said Administrator Paul Wise. “We are grateful for their contributions to our community over many years and wish them well as they begin transitioning to their new home.”
The public is asked not to enter the property until the park opening is announced in 2025. The annual Freeman Fall Festival will not take place in 2024 but the Township is considering whether to host a fall event on the site in the future.
“Lois and I have always been committed to serving the community through our businesses, Freeman’s Country Market and Freeman’s Farm, and with the events that we have hosted here. We think it’s only fitting that the land will be preserved and continue to serve the community in a different capacity for future generations as a Genoa Township park,” remarked Bill Freeman.
