Walnut Grove plants trees, first physical progress for the group

May 12, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

By ROBERT CONNELLY

CANFIELD

Volunteers planted about 72 black walnut trees at the Walnut Grove site along state Route 46 during the weekend, the first sign of progress at the site.

Allen Conti, president of Walnut Grove, said the 72 trees cost about $2,000 total, including transportation costs. A team of four adults, including Conti, and two kids spent a few hours Sunday morning with a mini-tractor installing the trees along state Route 46.

“There is [now] something tangible when people drive by. There is a sign and you can see something living that is starting to grow,” Conti said. “This will now start to raise an awareness in the community that we’re here.”

Walnut Grove is south of Buckeye Lawn Service Inc., 8896 Columbiana-Canfield Road, and next to the property at the intersection of Western Reserve Road and Route 46. A grant to fund the walking trails associated with the Walnut Grove is pending.

That grant is through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is valued at $121,601, with a 75-percent reimbursement. Trail construction will begin when the grant funds arrive.

The site is 20 acres, with 10 acres being dedicated to the Walnut Grove and the other 10 acres for the Henry M. Halstead Field of Opportunity. That special-needs facility would be for kindergarten through fourth-grade students and has been held up due to a lack of water and sewer lines.

There is well water on the property that is not suitable for drinking, but good enough to water the new trees at the site, Conti said, adding between 200 to 250 more trees will be installed on the back half of the property in the future to coincide with the walking trails.

Walnut Grove officials will offer tree sponsorships for those wanting to have a tree named for someone. Conti said once the trees are big enough, the sponsored trees would have plaques associated with them.

Conti is hopeful that a joint economic development district (JEDD) could be the answer to the water issues. Canfield Township and Canfield City signed off on a JEDD for Windsor House, a proposed nursing facility along state Route 446 and surrounded by the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.

He attended Canfield Township’s public hearing on the matter. Afterward, he discussed Walnut Grove with Canfield Township trustee Marie Cartwright and Canfield City Mayor Bernie Kosar Sr.

“I think she and Mayor Kosar are very positive about going forward,” Conti said of continuing talks. “I think they’re a lot more cooperative and together and there will be economic benefits to both communities.”

“The trustees want to assist [Conti] if possible. We’re researching some different avenues,” Cartwright said.

When asked specifically about a JEDD for Walnut Grove, she said, “I think it’s hard to speculate about what we might do.”