Explanation
The Hamilton Road Wetland is a 71.67 acre parcel donated by the New Albany Company to the City of Columbus on December 30, 2008 to preserve this exceptional wooded wetland and blue heron rookery. There are approximately 50 nests of blue heron that locate here every spring and require protection to continue breeding. This location is one of the largest heron rookeries in Central Ohio. Thus, the Nature Preserve Advisory Council recommended unanimously that the Hamilton Road Wetland be designated a Nature Preserve on October 5, 2009. At the regular meeting of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission held February 17, 2010, the designation of the Hamilton Road Wetland property was approved as a Nature Preserve. Columbus City Council has designated four park properties as Nature Preserves to date. The last action was Ordinance No. 044X-2004.
These wetlands also perform a vital stormwater function within the watershed of Rocky Fork Creek, a sub-watershed of the Big Walnut Creek. The Friends of the Big Walnut Creek wrote a letter of support as did the New Albany Park Homeowners Association and the Preston Commons Homeowners Association, neighbors of this site. The letters cite the benefit to mental and physical health by maintaining open space. The site also has the potential to be a research area by local high schools and universities in the area.
This Nature Preserve is hereby dedicated to fulfill the following public purpose:
1) To protect and enhance the natural wetland and vernal pools, to reduce flooding, pollution, and sedimentation, and to preserve the unique ecological features in conjunction with their use as stormwater control.
2) To protect, improve and enhance wildlife habitat. In this case, creating the Hamilton Road Wetland Park Nature Preserve preserves the nesting site of approximately 50 nests of the Great Blue Heron. This is the largest rookery site found, thus far, in Central Ohio.
3) To protect and pro...
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