Traditionally, the eighteen acres on both sides of the Whetstone River that my late husband Ray Romine and I purchased in 1953 had been used by locals for access to the river from Whetstone River Road. Here we built our home in 1953 and Ray coined the word “Terradise” for it since it seemed to us that we had found “heaven on earth.”  I have enjoyed living at Terradise since then.  

   I didn’t realize that we had usurped this special place until Frank Fields pointed it out to me during one of my Open Garden tours many years ago. He told me that it was a favorite fishing and picnic spot for generations of Claridon Township residents. This strengthened my resolve to preserve this mostly river bottom, pristine area, for the benefit of those who love the out-of-doors. This led to the creation of the Marion County Park District in 1995 to receive my gift as the Terradise Nature Preserve. It consists of fourteen acres, twelve of which I gave 1998.  In 2004 Ralph Boger donated an additional two acres that includes a former spring and ford across the Whetstone (Olentangy) River. 

   Under the leadership of the Marion County Parks District’s first director, Jack Telfer, a grant was received from the Ohio Department of Transportation for an access lane and parking area. When Director Karen Kelly became park director in July 2005 she activated this grant to fund the construction of graveled areas that make the area accessible. A shelter house was recently erected.  

   Since 1961 I have opened my gardens for tours around my home at 1526 Whetstone River Road North along the banks of the Whetstone River. This year this annual event will be held on Sunday, April 30 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 P.M. Parking is across the road and shuttle busing will be available to the Terradise Nature Preserve across the river.

    The dedication of the Terradise Nature Preserve will be held in the shelter house at 2:00 P.M. The Preserve is located at the dead end of The Marion--Williamsport Road off State Route 746 a mile south of Caledonia. The Friends of Prairie Parks will lead tours on the trails through the area that have been cleared for hiking. 

    The spring bird migration brings many transient species to join the fifteen or more resident species. Terradise is notable for the diversity of the native trees and plants growing there. Some of these are hickory, walnut, oak, ash, beech, Ohio buckeye, pawpaw, black cherry, hackberry, hawthorn, maple, box elder, mulberry, willow and poplar. In April the blooming wildflowers include spring beauties, Dutchman’s britches, trout lilies, trilliums, violets, bloodroot, wild ginger, bloodroot, perfoliated bellwort, Solomon’s seal, smilacina and jack-in-the-pulpit.  

       With a pleasant sunny April day I hope to welcome many of you for these events. And even if it rains, a few of you might join me. 

Trella H. Romine
trella@earthlink.net. 
419-845-2141