Camp Myeerah, Former Girl Scout Camp, Protected as New Public Park

A former Girl Scout camp in the City of Bellefontaine has been permanently conserved as a new public park. For more than fifty years Camp Myeerah had been a popular overnight camping destination.

In 2012, The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Board of Directors commissioned a study to guide long term planning. The study recommended that the Girl Scouts investigate options to sell Camp Myeerah and focus on options that allowed continued usage by Girl Scouts. Working with the Tri-Moraine Audubon Society, The Trust for Public Land, and the City of Bellefontaine, the Girl Scouts were able to sell and conserve the 449-acre camp as a public recreation destination last month.

“We are very excited about this outcome for Camp Myeerah. This is a win for the Girl Scouts, for Bellefontaine and the surrounding communities and for the preservation of a unique and beautiful piece of property,” said Roni Luckenbill, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio CEO. “We appreciate the contributions of the Tri-Moraine Audubon Society, The Trust for Public Land and the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District in making this process a success.”

“I am looking forward to taking friends and out of town guests on a walk through such an amazing piece of natural beauty in our own county,” said Dennis Versele, Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District Board Member.

The 449-acre property located at 7405 State Route 540 is now owned by The City of Bellefontaine, which will operate Camp Myeerah as a Joint Recreation District park. The District is developing a management plan for the public to enjoy Camp Myeerah for overnight camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, and bird-watching. Tri-Moraine Audubon Society is managing conservation easements over the entire property to help the District manage important birding habitat. The easements were donated by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

“The establishment of the former Myeerah Girl Scout Camp as a public recreational area was made possible by an outstanding act of stewardship on the part of the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio,” said Don Rosenbeck, Tri-Moraine Audubon Society. “It is the result of the cooperative efforts of the Girl Scouts, The Trust for Public Land, the city of Bellefontaine and Tri-Moraine Audubon Society. This 449-acre jewel is a significant natural area and an Important Bird Area that is now protected for eternity and will remain a public resource to be enjoyed by this and future generations.”

“This project has been a great collaboration between great entities to protect a wonderful asset for future generations,” said Kristopher Myers, Superintendent of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District.

Funding for the $1.385 million purchase comes from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund. The Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization, managed the purchase and donated easement.

“The legacy of a great nature experience at Camp Myeerah’s will live on,” said Pam Carson, The Trust for Public Land’s Ohio state director. “Southwestern Ohio needs great places to enjoy nature, and Camp Myeerah has served that purpose for generations of Girl Scouts. Now it will be a public park for future generations to come.”

A Camp Myeerah opening celebration is currently scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at 1:15 p.m. as part of Environmental Education Week.