Ohio DNR adds access area on scenic Ashtabula River

Ashtabula, Ohio — Officials from the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves held a ribbon cutting recently for the William “Bud” Hill Scenic River Access Area, which is situated along the Ashtabula State Scenic River.

“ODNR applauds Bud Hill’s lifelong commitment to protecting the natural resource he loved best – the Ashtabula State Scenic River,” ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves Chief Jeff Johnson said. “Mr. Hill’s family chose to honor his legacy of stewardship by ensuring their family land was permanently protected, and for that reason, we are proud to name our newest state scenic river area after him.”

William Hill, who was known as “Bud” locally and throughout the scenic river community, served on the Ashtabula River Scenic River Advisory Council for many years. His passion for protecting the river was well known.

ODNR’s newest scenic river area protects nearly a mile of the Ashtabula State Scenic River. The property features a high-quality floodplain and wetlands as well as a large network of vernal pools. A mature hemlock forest sits on the bluffs above the river, providing a heavily forested stream corridor. The property marks the first state scenic river area purchased and managed by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves along the Ashtabula River.

Scenic river areas offer low impact recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, paddling access, and wildlife watching in a natural, undeveloped setting. These lands also help maintain the natural characteristics of Ohio’s scenic rivers.

“We hope Bud’s family and friends will appreciate that this land will not only provide Ohioans with new hiking and fishing opportunities, but it will help protect the Ashtabula State Scenic River for future generations,” said Jeffry Hayes, northeast scenic river manager for ODNR.

Future visitors to the William “Bud” Hill Scenic River Area will be able to watch wildlife in several different habitats, hike nearly two miles of trail which traverse the rim of a high bluff before winding down into the heavily forested floodplain. The new trail, which is under development, provides spectacular views of the river, springfed waterfall, and extensive wetlands, according to ODNR.

ODNR has protected more than 180 acres in the Ashtabula River corridor and more than 6,555 acres of protected corridor on Ohio’s 15 state wild, scenic and recreational rivers statewide. Much of the investment for land acquisition has been raised from state and federal grant programs and funds donated to the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves through the Ohio Tax Check-off Program and sales of Ohio’s two scenic river license plates.

The Ashtabula River as well as sections of the East Fork and West Fork were designated in October 2008, adding 46 continuous river miles on three stream segments to the State Scenic Rivers system. The river qualified as a scenic river as a direct result of its outstanding water quality and high degree of natural character in the river corridor, which is a credit to the exceptional stewardship by local landowners.