Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center

Photos from an afternoon outing at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center.

Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center

Lots of swallows out and about around the Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center. Swarms of the birds were coming and going as we stood on the deck wrapping around the building.


This Columbus Metro Park is partly made possible by a donation and sale of land from the Galbreath family. The land was originally acquired by John Galbreath as part of Darby Dan farms. John was responsible for building up much of the Columbus skyline. He was also famous for breeding competition winning horses. Darby Dan Farms sported both a horse track with grandstands and an airport for transporting horses and spectators.

Photo by Thomas Gabalski, taken from https://www.airfields-freeman.com/OH/Airfields_OH_C.htm

Unfortunately a large portion of the former Darby Dan Farms property is being turned into a solar farm. Construction is well under way, and the once beautiful stretches of field are now rows upon rows of solar panels. The Columbus Metro Parks originally objected to the development, stating it would impact both the natural ecosystem of the area, but the development continued regardless.

Sources

John Galbreath’s Darby Dan Farm at Battelle Darby Metro Park.
On the Ohio Birds Listserv last July, there was a report of a unique bird heard singing in a nearby Metro Park. I made two trips to look for this bird in 100-degree humid weather- it was wort…
John W. Galbreath
Real estate developer and sports entrepreneur, John W. Galbreath has brought Columbus worldwide recognition.
Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Central Ohio
State approves two Columbus-area solar farms capable of powering 100,000 homes
State regulators have signed off on turning a chunk of Darby Dan Farms into a solar farm in western Franklin County.

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