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“It’s really a purchase of opportunity,” said Bell. “And the best use for it is to remain natural.”
That means the land cannot be used for any active use, like soccer or ball fields. Bell said passive uses, like a nature trail, could be built on the property.
Right now there’s a house and trees on the heavily wooded area.
The city of Hamilton had looked into purchasing the property with the same intent, said Steve Timmer, executive director of the Hamilton Parks Conservancy.
“We wanted to just try to acquire it to be open space, instead of having something built on it,” he said. “We wanted to have it cleaned up.”
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The property is adjacent to the entrance of Joyce Park, which is within the city of Hamilton. The property in question is within the city of Fairfield limits. Joe Nuxhall Way runs through both cities.
Bell said the local board for the Ohio Public Works Commission will vote on the grant next week, and if approved the state commission will approve or deny that recommendation.
Bell doesn’t see a reason why the grant would be denied because the intent is to protect open green space.
“This is protection of open space for future generations,” he said.
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