Bath Nature Preserve improvements include new horse trail

by Karen Nathan

As visitors to Bath Nature Preserve cruise up the driveway from Ira Road, they will immediately recognize improvements to the property.

Stone and potted plants surround the entrance sign. Two new parking spots were added next to the Bath Community Garden for closer access to unload gardening tools and supplies. The gravel trail near the front of the park has been turned back to grass, which requires less maintenance and is more in line with the Fairlawn Rotary Observatory, according to Parks Director Jeff France.

“[We’re] trying to get away from spraying pesticides,” said France. He and his full-time staff of three, plus summer interns, are responsible for caring for all of Bath Township’s parks. He said maintaining the vegetation includes weeding, mowing and watering flowers, and in addition to having an environmental impact, spraying is labor intensive, as is weeding.

Since being named parks director in April 2025, France said he has tried to dial back maintenance and manage the parks more efficiently with his small crew. The refurbishments at Bath Nature Preserve were made in service of this goal.

Near the preserve’s kiosk and parking lot, there are enhancements to the picnic table area, with the tables now resting on concrete pads. Linden trees have been planted around the tables to provide shade. There is also space for new living trees, including those purchased through the township’s Living Tree Program to honor a loved one or commemorate an event.

France said he and his team plan to make Bath Nature Preserve more user-friendly and appealing for horseback riders. A first step toward that goal is the creation of a new equestrian trail. As France describes it, the newly opened West Ridge Trail is 0.26 miles long.

“It connects Beefy’s Trail to Bath Pond Path, creating a 0.63-mile loop. The complete route from the trailhead parking lot, along Beefy’s Trail to West Ridge Trail, then to Bath Pond Path and back to the parking area is 1.04 miles,” he explained.

The new loop is also a boon for Victory Gallop, a personalized therapeutic and recreational horseback-riding program. Previously, Victory Gallop Co-founder Sue Miller, her staff and volunteers would travel from their property to the Bath Nature Preserve parking lot, turn around and go back the same route. With the creation of the West Ridge Trail, it’s a 45-minute ride from Victory Gallop, and the new trail allows Victory Gallop riders to make a loop.

“It’s a blessing,” Miller said. “It’s awesome for the kids to get into the woods. It’s peaceful.”

The new trail is not just for horses. People are welcome to enjoy the trail through a walk or run alone or with their dog.

France said he is looking for more options for horseback riders and wants to link other Bath Nature Preserve trails to one another.

There are improvements happening at other Bath parks as well, according to France. All park entrances have been upgraded and now include flower planters. By the end of 2026, all ball fields at Bath Baseball Park will have been relined, reset and renovated.

Photo caption: The new West Ridge Trail is 0.26 miles long and connects Beefy’s Trail to Bath Pond Path. Photo by Karen Nathan.