NOTICE: Road to forest closed to motorized traffic

February 2013: We regret we have had to close the gate across the road to the forest area at the Nature Center due to illegal use after dark. The road is open for walkers. Please feel free to walk to the forest and the trails. We appreciate your cooperation in this issue until we have the ability to close/open the gate on a daily basis.

Upcoming Events at the Nature Center:

• June 15, 2013 - Saturday - 12:30PM to 2:30PM - Bubble Blowers Beyond (Elementary Kids)

  Have you ever blown bubbles? How many layers does a bubble have? Come discover the science of bubbles. Make your own wand, and experiment with bubble recipes. Stand inside a bubble!

• June 29, 2013 - Saturday - 7:00 to 9:00PM - Music at Sunset (Families)

  Bring your lawn chair and join us for our second summer concert with guitarist, Eric Loy and vocalist, Earl Pittman. Eric's harp guitar playing and Earl's vocal performances are beyond outstanding. Their talent, creativity and passion for their music will fill your evening with pleasure, smiles and appreciation for life and the great outdoors.

• July 5, 2013 - Friday - 10:30AM to 12:30PM - Earth Arts (Elementary Kids)

  Touch the earth in a unique way by using bark, grasses, seeds, berries, twigs, pine cones, and more! See how you can use Nature's Treasures to create your own nature art. Take home something beautiful that reminds you of the great outdoors at the Garber Nature Center.

• July 19, 2013 - Friday - 10:30AM to 12:30PM - You Rock! (Elementary Kids)

  Are you a rock hound? Do you collect rocks? How many things do we use that come from rocks? Come and rock some time away with us at Garber Nature Center on this summer day.

For additional information call the Park District office phone at 937-962-5561

The Garber Nature Center is located at 9691 SR 503 N, Lewisburg, OH. These programs are FREE. Donations are welcome. These programs are recommended for adults. RSVP’s are appreciated, but not required at the Park District office phone at 937-962-5561

Our new Pavilion.

Eagle Scout Candidate Dan Goepferich of Troop 511 built 8 picnic tables for the Pavilion as part of his Eagle project.

Download a map of the hiking trails in the Garber Forest at the Nature Center
Please note: the TRAILS and boardwalk are at the rear of the property. Take the right turn at the Nature Center entrance and follow the paved road 1/2 mile out to the Garber forest.

Our Eloo restroom

A Little History - The Preble County Park District was created by Judge Dues in January of 2003. The first Park District Commissioners were appointed in February of 2003 and have worked diligently to establish the Board policies. In March of 2004, the Preble County Commissioners deeded over to the Preble County Park District, 100 acres of mixed farmland and forest to be used as the first County Park.

The land was donated by a local family and has been developed as the Allen & Adaline Garber Nature Center. About 33 acres of forest area has been developed into hiking trails. Another 60 acres remain as crop land and is leased out to bring income to the Park District. A wetland was created on some of the crop land and 975 trees were planted in an area adjacent to the forest.

An ODNR NatureWorks grant helped us build a 400' long handicapped accessible boardwalk that starts at the rear parking lot and ends at a viewing platform over looking our Old Oak Tree. A second NatureWorks grant helped us build an environmentally friendly restroom, "The Eloo," that was completed June 2010. The Pavilion was constructed with a third NatureWorks grant and completed early in May 2012.