A Dream Realized: Ashland County Dedicates The Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center
ASHLAND — Under a bright spring sky and the gentle rustle of wind through the trees, a crowd gathered Friday afternoon, May 9, to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the David McClure Outdoor Education Center — affectionately known as “The Davy.” Nestled on 80 acres of rolling countryside at 748 County Road 1754, the center now stands as a living tribute to a adored local conservationist and educator whose legacy is rooted in connecting youth with nature.
The Ashland County Park District hosted the heartfelt dedication ceremony, drawing community leaders, generous donors, educators, elected officials, and McClure’s family members — all united in honoring a vision years in the making.
“This building ushers in exciting opportunities for environmental education, community engagement, and lifelong learning in the outdoors,” said Eric Schneider, director of the Ashland County Park District. “This is truly a community-based project, made possible through generous public and private donations. It’s one of the reasons I was drawn to this role — because of the spirit of conservation and community that surrounds it.”
The David McClure Outdoor Education Center includes over 3,200 square feet of indoor classroom space, restrooms, and a patio for learning and programming — all thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.
Schneider expressed his gratitude to numerous partners, including Simonson Construction, Return Polymers, the Archer family, and the many donors who stepped forward to make the vision a reality.
But it wasn’t just about the building — it was about the purpose behind it.
Mary Meixner, the park district’s naturalist and outreach coordinator, shared her personal connection to the project. “Growing up in Ashland, we didn’t have anything like this. If we wanted to attend a nature program, we had to go to Mansfield or Mohican,” she said. “Now, we’re bringing that opportunity right here — where our own kids can learn and connect with the outdoors close to home.”
Since the center’s soft opening, over 250 local students have already visited for field trips, and more than 450 are scheduled before the end of the school year. Programs like a popular “Salamander Safari” and homeschool science sessions have quickly gained traction, affirming the center’s role in nurturing environmental literacy.
“If even a handful of those children walk away with a spark of curiosity, then we’ve done our job,” Meixner said. “That’s how conservation starts — with wonder, connection, and care.”
The moment grew more emotional as Heidi McClure, David’s sister, addressed the crowd.
“My brother devoted his life to helping others, mentoring kids, and connecting with his community,” she said. “This is the ultimate field trip — a space for kids to explore and learn in the outdoors, just like Davy would have wanted.”
Heidi thanked the donors, volunteers, and especially her father, Andy McClure, whose dedication and “stubborn” determination were instrumental in bringing the center to life.
Andy then took to the microphone, offering both heartfelt memories and humorous tales — including one about young Davy painfully learning the power of a steel trap during a school presentation. “You don’t need every student to pay attention,” Andy reflected. “But if even four or five kids are inspired, that’s enough. That’s how the next generation of conservationists begins.”
Bob DeSanto, Park District Commissioner, echoed that sentiment. Choking up, he recounted seeing a yellow school bus arrive during a recent class visit. “It was like a beacon,” he said. “There will be hundreds of buses just like it. This building is exactly what David wanted — and exactly what Ashland County needed.”
DeSanto recognized dozens of donors, from individuals and families to organizations like Return Polymers, the Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League, Samaritan Hospital Foundation, and the Friends of the Ashland County Park District — who raised nearly $250,000 toward the project. Matching funds and grants from the State of Ohio, including over $700,000 through capital funding and strategic investment initiatives, rounded out the effort.
To honor the heart of the occasion, DeSanto shared a poem that captured the essence of the center’s mission — to inspire, to nurture, and to pass on a love for the outdoors:
Pass it on
What magic there is in togetherness alone.
Unshared. Undivided.
Far away in your soft, green world
of solitude
of things to fill the dreams of childhood:
The music of wind in the pines.
Firelight. Night sounds.
Only for a little while will you stand
the tallest tree in the forest.
Capture those fleeting moments!
While the child is catching fish
fishing will catch the child.
And the child will need the green world
someone else gave to you.
Pass it on.
As the crowd stood for the ribbon cutting, State Representative Melanie Miller stepped forward with an official commendation.
“This facility isn’t just about education — it’s about discovery,” Miller said. “It honors the life and vision of David McClure and gives our children a place to connect with nature in a way that will shape their lives.”
To close the ceremony, Schneider invited guests to tour the new space and enjoy refreshments. But the lasting takeaway was clear: this wasn’t just the unveiling of a building. It was the launch of a legacy — one built on love for the land, a belief in the power of nature to teach, and a community’s commitment to “pass it on.”
