Article published December 16, 2008
Ringneck Ridge Hunt Club purchased
The Ringneck Ridge Hunt Club, a 60-year-old, 360-shooting preserve near Gibsonburg in western Sandusky County, has been acquired by the Sandusky County Park District for both nature watchers and public hunting.
The park district assembled a $500,000 purchase package through grants from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and Ohio Division of Wildlife, plus donations from the Sandusky County Sportsmen's Club, which owns property adjacent to Ringneck Ridge grounds.
"We're hoping to open this coming spring for public use and for all the hunting seasons next year," said Steve Gruner, park district director. "What attracted us is 360 acres of green space with not a single acre under cultivation."
No local tax money was used for the acquisition of the old club, which had been put up for sale as its membership and use declined. The property is located at State Rt. 600 and County Road 74 east of Gibsonburg, and includes scattered woodlots, open fields, wetlands and limestone outcroppings.
The decision to continue hunting, Gruner said, is a traditional use of property "that made sense to all the partners." The state wildlife division in part tied hunting to its contribution, and the adjacent Sportsmen's Club allows its members to hunt on club land.
As for non-hunting uses, Gruner said botanical surprises are expected to be found, especially in such areas of the property as limestone barrens, where rock outcroppings come to the surface. A botanist conducting a preliminary plant survey found more than 150 species, including several rare species and plant communities.Jeanne Dieterich, park district program coordinator, said the fate of the old two-story Ringneck Ridge clubhouse still is being evaluated. But she said upkeep and maintenance costs may be too prohibitive to retain it.
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