There are various local government jurisdictions and organizations that own local parks and preserves. For example, the Village of Granville owns Fanchion Lewis Park, Opera House Park and the greenspace near the Colony subdivision. Meanwhile, Granville Township owns Raccoon Valley Park, Bicentennial Park and McPeek Lodge. The T.J. Evans Foundation owns the land at Wildwood Park. .

In the case of Spring Valley Nature Preserve, the land is owned by Granville Township, the Conservation Easement is held by the Licking Land Trust, and the property is managed by the Granville Recreation District. 

Other organizations involved with local parks include the Licking Park District which owns and manages Infirmary Mound Park and parks across the county. The Licking Land Trust owns Harnden Preserve, Fryman Woods and holds the conservation easement for many other properties in Licking County.  Denison University owns and manages the Bioreserve and the Granville Exempted Village School District owns and manages The Land Lab.   

It varies by property. Some Granville Township Open Space properties are owned by the Township (such as a 16 acre parcel of the Bryn Du lawn, for example) and are accessible to the public.  Other properties enrolled in the Open Space program have conservation easements which prevent many types of development on the land. In these cases, the Township controls the conservation easement, but the land remains privately-owned and not accessible to the public.  

Granville Township Open Space properties are properties with conservation, agricultural, or scenic value where development is restricted. Open Space parcels may or may not be open to the public. (See FAQ above for more info about public access to Open Space properties).  Greenspace, on the other hand, generally refers to areas like parks, gardens, and trails. While similar, greenspaces are usually designed with public access in mind, whereas open spaces may prioritize conservation and restricting development.

According to the Granville Township Trustees, "the goal of a conservation land trust is to protect wildlife, historical or cultural sites, and natural resources from commercial development or other activities that may lead to disruption or pollution. However, it keeps the property on the property tax roll, allows for agricultural or passive recreational use of the property and eliminates the need for maintenance costs from the township. 

Conservation easements can be tailored so that the landowner retains ownership and usage rights—such as the right to continue farming or raising livestock—while still ensuring that the land remains undeveloped in perpetuity. Conservation easements "follow the land," which means that the terms of the easement remain in force even if the land is sold or passed to heirs."

Parks and nature preserves help absorb carbon, manage stormwater, and support biodiversity, all of which make our community more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Plus, many of our local parks and nature preserves have native plants that are adapted to our climate. Native plants require less water and maintenance, support local wildlife, and help sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

Parks and green spaces provide residents with accessible, natural areas for outdoor activities like walking, picnicking, and playing sports. They offer a peaceful environment to unwind, enjoy nature, and connect with the community—all just a short distance from home.

Yes! Granville area parks are great for walking your dog or enjoying time outdoors with pets. Just make sure to follow local guidelines, like keeping pets on a leash and cleaning up after them, to help keep our parks beautiful and welcoming for everyone. Infirmary Mound Park has a designated dog park. 

There are a number of organizations working to conserve and protect natural areas and open space around Granville including the Licking Land Trust and Granville Township Open Space Committee which both utilize conservation easements to protect land from development.  Consider getting involved with these organizations and voicing your concerns to Village Council members and Township Trustees. 

There are a number of local organizations involved with managing local parks, nature preserves and open space properties. Consider volunteering with local land preservation initiatives, or donating to conservation organizations working in and around Granville.  Attend public meetings and advocate for more public green space expansion to ensure our community has access to natural areas for years to come. Organizations include: 

Licking Land Trust
Granville Township Open Space Trustees
Licking Park District
Granville Environmental Sustainability Committee