McCammon Creek Park and the Delaware County Bicentennial Barn in Orange Township had its grand opening after a years-long effort to bring to life the community space and preserve Ohio history.
The park, 6844 Bale-Kenyon Road, and barn will open fully at the end of August.
The 1900s-era Delaware County Bicentennial Barn has been fully renovated and restored. It is one of 88 barns across Ohio that has the Ohio Bicentennial logo painted on the side to commemorate the state's 200th birthday in 2003.
The piece was painted in 1999 by artist Scott Hagan, who chose the barn because of its proximity to I-71. The barn's former owner believes it is one of the most commonly photographed Ohio Bicentennial Barns.
The barn was donated in 2019 to Preservation Parks
of Delaware County, a publicly funded, countywide metro park district. Construction on the barn began in 2025. The goal was to preserve its features with as much accuracy as possible, including the green roof and wood siding, while also installing modern amenities to make it accessible to everyone, according to Mary Van Haaften, the executive director of Preservation Parks.
“This is a moment that has been at least 10 years in the making,” Van Haaften, said. “It began with acquiring the first piece of property and continued with restoring native habitats, building trails, and completing the renovation of the Bicentennial Barn for the community to enjoy.”
The park is named in honor of Jim and Gay McCammon, who were life-long residents of Orange Township. Jim McCammon was a third-generation farmer who worked the land where McCammon Creek Park now sits up until it was purchased by the Preservation Parks in 2019.
The park, which covers 248 acres of woods, now has hiking trails where visitors can see streams and prairies that run through the property. Some areas of the park have been open since 2024. Multi-use trails supported by Orange Township run between the parks various sections, making it accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.
Inside the barn is an event hall named after former Congressman Partick J. Tiberi, as well as a lobby and entrance area. There is space for classrooms and an annex with modern amenities. There is also an outdoor space with a patio. The Ohio Bicentennial logo was repainted by the original artist.
In total, the renovation cost $4.68 million, and was paid for through a mix of state funding and private donations.
A private ribbon cutting was held the morning of Aug. 20. A public celebration of the grand opening will be hosted Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Delaware County Bicentennial Barn, where visitors can tour the barn, explore the property and attend history-themed activities. After the event ends, the barn will remain open until 4 p.m. for self-guided tours.
Van Haaften said she hopes this property will continue to serve Ohioans for years to come.
“Amid our growing county, this land has been preserved for future generations to explore nature and appreciate a treasured piece of Delaware County history," Van Haaften said.
Dispatch reporter Lilli Malone can be reached at lmalone@dispatch.com or on Instagram at @lillimwrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: McCammon Park, Bicentennial Barn officially open in Delaware County
