Abstract:
Our country's heritage is being lost. As Americans, we are rich in the history and culture of our nation. Unfortunately, the cultural heritage of our country is at risk due to many different factors. Some of these factors include urban sprawl, lack of maintenance and new technology. As part of our profession, landscape architects must remain sensitive to our heritage. We should aim to retain these heritage landscapes, celebrate them, and educate the public about them. One way to retain our past is to provide parks that celebrate the history of our country.The city of St.Marys, Ohio is rich in cultural heritage. The Miami-Erie Canal, which at one time spanned the distance between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, flowed through St.Marys. The canal was used for transportation and industry (the use of mills along the canal). Few areas of the canal still exist; however, the most intact part of the canal that remains flows through St.Marys. The old towpath that the horses used when pulling the canal boats has now been converted to a greenway trail called the Buckeye Trail. There is an area of land near the northward entrance to the trail in St.Marys where several mills and locks are deteriorating. A multi-use park, with the theme of the city's history, was designed for this area. This park not only celebrates the history of the area, but educates visitors and citizens as well. A greenway system through the city was also designed. It follows the historic canal corridor through the city and completes an existing but disconnected trail system. Through the designation of land area as a public park and the education of park visitors through environmental interpretation, the cultural heritage of St. Marys is being rescued.
