Forests in two more Metro Parks join Blacklick Woods in Old-Growth Forest Network

Posted on |

LIZ CHRISTIAN
Marketing and Social Media Specialist

In a dedication ceremony at Highbanks, Brian Kane of the Old-Growth Forest Network presented plaques honoring the induction of forest areas within Highbanks and Sharon Woods into the national register of old-growth forests. Left to right, Vinnie Billow (Park Manager, Sharon Woods), Tim Moloney (Executive Director), Matt Kaderly (Park Manager, Highbanks), Brian Kane (Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the Old-Growth Forest Network).

Sections of Sharon Woods and Highbanks Metro Parks were inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network on September 15, 2022. Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the Old-Growth Forest Network, presented plaques to Metro Parks Executive Director Tim Moloney, Highbanks Park Manager, Matt Kaderly, and Sharon Woods Park Manager, Vinnie Billow.

The section of Highbanks that was inducted falls along the Overlook Trail and includes red and white oak, sugar maple, cherry and hickory trees, as well as an understory of paw paw and spicebush. The section also contains 1,000 year old Native American earthworks by the Late Woodland people, which is a designated National Historic Landmark.

Sharon Woods’ section of old-growth forest is along the Edward S. Thomas Trail and is located in the Edward S. Thomas State Nature Preserve. It includes eight species of oak, hickory and beech trees, several of which date to over 250 years old.