As a crowd of over one hundred spectators and supporters gathered at the Gnadenhutten site on Tuesday, Steve Elbert, Senior Vice President of Remediation Management for BP America, Inc., shared the ribbon-cutting duties with students from Indian Valley Local Schools.“The Tuscarawas County Port Authority is pleased to have so many outstanding partners come together for an event that benefits our community and our schools. It’s amazing to see the kids take so much – both now and in the future – from a site that has, literally, been resurrected,” said Harry Eadon, TCPA Executive Director. The nature park, comprised of nearly seven acres of land that host a variety of plants and animals native to the area, is adjacent to the former Alsco Aluminum facility.
Dressed in Southern Gateway Nature Park t-shirts donated by CD Tees in New Philadelphia, students anxiously awaited their opportunity to open the park officially. The Indian Valley High School Marching Band performed the national anthem prior to the ceremony. “The seven acres of classroom will allow students to further investigate what is being taught – and to provide hands-on application for a better understanding of animals, plants, soils, and the rivers,” said Randy Cadle, Superintendent of Indian Valley Local Schools. “As the folks from BP constantly remind us, maybe someday we can send them some future scientists for their firm.”
Speakers for the event included: Mike Noretto, TCPA Board of Directors; Mr. Cadle; John Magill, Ohio Department of Development; Joe Koncelick, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; Tom Short, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Congressman Bob Ney, Ohio 18th District; and Mr. Elbert. Jason Hassel, Chief Financial Officer for Plymouth Foam, headquartered in Wisconsin, spoke briefly regarding the possibility of that company occupying a portion of the TCPA’s Southern Gateway Business Park.
The event was attended by the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners, the TCPA Board of Directors, Gnadenhutten Mayor David Zimmerman, Indian Valley Local Schools staff, local residents, and other distinguished guests from organizations who have partnered with the TCPA throughout the nature park project.
“This is remarkable,” Eadon stated. “It goes beyond what you see here today. The folks who have been involved in this process have truly contributed to the economic and educational development of the Village of Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County – and beyond.”
