BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Hidden away in southern Belmont County sits a unique park, Raven Rocks. It was formed in 1970 by 19 people who loved the area and wanted to protect it.
“We were in our younger years as campers and we were just thrilled by the scenic beauty of the waterfalls, the rocks cliffs and, it’s a special spot really,” said Founding Member Ted Cope.
Over the past 50 years, the group has worked to expand through further land purchases and a partnership with the Captina Conservancy. There are now more than 1,200 acres in the trust, ensuring the protection for decades to come.
Ellie Ewing is the Executive Director of the Captina Conservancy and a Raven Rocks board member.
“This type of setup where it’s private ownership that’s open to the public, that’s focused on conservation, is fairly unique. And this large of a group working together for this long also, I think, is very unique,” they said.
Many of the members of Raven Rocks live on the property. They work as engineers, doctors, writers and secretaries. But some members live as far away as North Carolina. But it’s the love of this place which brings them all together.
Click here for more information on Raven Rocks.
