If you didn't know Fort Wayne was 10 miles away, nothing in these 30 acres of woods and streams holds a hint.
A hike through Orion Woods is like stepping into a forest miles from nowhere. The stillness is broken only by the call of birds, the rustle of fallen leaves and the startled hoofbeats of spooked white-tailed deer.
ACRES Land Trust recently acquired its 71st preserve. Located in northern Allen County, the woods is along Cedar Creek adjacent to Meno-aki State Dedicated Nature Preserve, which is a part of Metea County Park.
Orion Woods is a gift from the Orion Foundation Inc. in memory of Marsha Hunter. According to ACRES sources, Orion Foundation CEO Jack Hunter said preserving the woods was something his wife felt very deeply about, so giving the property to ACRES in her memory seemed appropriate. The land is a life estate gift, which means it will not be open to the public for several years.
Strolling through the woods on a recent morning, ACRES executive director Jason Kissel points out the trees - older oak and hickory with younger beech and maples bringing up the under canopy. The terrain is varied, with upper plateaus and deep ravines leading into the flood plain of Cedar Creek. Streams cut through the bottomland leading through marshy areas to the creek.
Kissel says ACRES plans to have a botanist tour the property and record the variety of plant species. ACRES has already taken steps to remove invasive species, such as honeysuckle, and the difference between Orion Woods and the unmanaged woods across the road is readily apparent.
“ACRES has 900 acres of land preserves in Allen County, and 400 of them are along Cedar Creek. The creek is one of three designated scenic rivers in Indiana,” said Kissel, climbing down a steep bank. Orion Woods is surrounded by development, making it the second-most-valuable acquisition the trust has had in its 49-year history.
Unlike some local nonprofits, ACRES hasn't been hurt by the economic downturn. In the past 18 months, its membership has grown by 400. Next year ACRES will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a series of events for members and the public.
ACRES owns a total of 4,580 acres in 17 counties in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Most of the land is open to the public from sunup to sundown, free of charge. Before Orion Woods opens, Kissel says, trails and parking for the public is planned.
