Cleaning up cabin in Braceville

Volunteers to assist in taking care of the historic structure

HOWLAND -- Volunteers plan to help the Trumbull County MetroParks by cleaning up a historic log cabin property in Braceville.

Cindee Mines of Champion, who is a member of local historical societies, including Howland and Braceville, said she has been in contact with historic building experts on cabins, barns and other buildings.

She asked the metroparks board if there are any future plans for the cabin and property.

"I have talked to some experts on the cabin who have seen pictures of it and also in person and are impressed with it," Mines said.

She said she and other volunteers want to help clean up the vegetation around the cabin.

The 20-foot-by-30-foot, two-story log house, known as the Ellis Log Cabin, sits off Nelson Moser Road. The house is being left in its current state with some rehabilitation being done.

Board member Nicolette Darkangelo said the metroparks does not have funds for matching grants to do projects such as the cabin. She said if a park levy had passed, the funds would have been available.

"We do not have the funds to do anything there. We appreciate any help to get the property cleaned up and hopefully in the future there will be funds to get it rehabilitated," she said.

The metroparks has a $125,000 budget with funds from the county commissioners. It has one full-time employee, Executive Director Zachary Svette, and park properties in several townships, along with the bike trail.

Board member John Brown said he worked at the cabin site years ago and he would like to see volunteers help at the property.

"The cleanup will be a good start," Brown said.

SEEK FUNDING

Svette said he is seeking funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission and noted the cabin work would cost $250,000 or more for total restoration. He said the park board will know by the end of the year if it received ARC funds.

Svette said the cabin's roof is in good condition, but the foundation needs work.

Mines said she is concerned that if improvements are not made now, there will not be a cabin.

"We want to see the cabin be stable so when funds do become available, it is still in a condition to do something with it," she said.

Mines said Belmont College in St. Clairsville has a program in which students repair log homes. She said the students perhaps could get involved with working at the cabin as part of the college class.

Mines said experts also would be available to inspect the cabin to determine its exact age. She said the age can be determined by examining the cabin's oak.

Svette said the ARC funds, American Rescue Plan funds and other grants being sought also would help with work on the bike trail, Eastlake Park in Cortland, bridge work and the cabin. He said he will know by end of the year what funding has been approved for the metroparks.

In other business at the July meeting, the board:

• Approved MS Consultants as the criteria engineer for the Leavittsburg dam removal at $174,349 paid by Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program funds;

• Approved a hunting policy on designated park properties, with applications due by Aug. 31. Officials said use of the properties is done by a lottery system;

• Accepted a donation of seven disc golf baskets valued at $550 from the Trumbull County Disc Golf Association;

• Announced S'mores Under the Stars is set for Oct. 7 and Pups and Pumpkins is set Oct. 29 at the metroparks office property in Howland and hosted by Friends of the Metroparks.