Preble County Park District

Our Beginning

A Little History - The Preble County Park District was created by Preble County Probate Court Judge Dues in January of 2003. The first Park District Commissioners were appointed in February of 2003 and have worked diligently to establish the Board policies. In March of 2004, the Preble County Commissioners deeded over to the Preble County Park District, 100 acres of mixed farmland and forest to be used as the first County Park.

The land was donated by a local family and has been developed as the Allen & Adaline Garber Nature Center. About 33 acres of forest area has been developed into hiking trails. Another 60 acres remain as crop land and is leased out to bring income to the Park District. A wetland was created on some of the crop land and 975 trees were planted in an area adjacent to the forest.

An ODNR NatureWorks grant helped us build a 400' long handicapped accessible boardwalk that starts at the rear parking lot and ends at a viewing platform over looking our Old Oak Tree. A second NatureWorks grant helped us build an environmentally friendly restroom, "The Eloo," that was completed June 2010. The Pavilion was constructed with a third NatureWorks grant and completed early in May 2012.

In 2016, the Wagers family donated 24 acres of land near Camden Ohio known as the Devil's Backbone. Under the Wagers' care this area become a wildlife sanctuary with native plants and animals. The area is scenic with limestone formations and beautiful waterfalls. This park is currently being planned for development with hiking trails and a picnic area.

The Preble County Park District consists of three commissioners appointed by the current Preble County Probate Court Judge. Each Commissioner serves a term of three years.

Board of Commissioners

President - Jeffrey A. Sewert

Vice President - Brandon Ledbetter

Commissioner - Heidi Easley

Staff

Manager/Secretary/Treasurer -

Mindy M. Davidson

Groundskeeper/Maintenance -

Paul Williams

Program Director - Bev Holland

Congratulations New Commissioner, Heidi Easley!

Heidi Easley & Judge Overmyer

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

Swearing in!

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

Press Release

The Preble County Park District (PCPD) announces the appointment of Heidi Easley as a new Park District Commissioner, effective February 10, 2026. Judge Jenifer K. Overmyer of the Preble County Probate Court made the appointment to replace former Commissioner Kaylee Jo Lebo who completed 3.5 years of service with the Park District. She joins Brandon Ledbetter and Jeff Sewert as Commissioner.

Easley has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Writing and Journalism from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Currently, she serves as a Preble County 4-H Advisor. She is the Owner and Manager of Sacred Moon Farm LLC. She is a long-time Preble County resident, nonprofit founder, and community leader with extensive experience in outdoor recreation advocacy and board governance.

Easley has served and volunteered in Preble County in many roles such as Founder of Preble Trails, Board leadership (Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau, United Way of Greater Dayton/Preble County, Rotary of Eaton, Downtown Eaton Inc.) and more.

Easley has a deep commitment to conservation, parks, and the wellbeing of local residents. She is looking forward to serving as a commissioner of the Preble County Park District. Easley said, “I care deeply about the wellbeing of Preble County’s residents and the preservation of our natural resources. Our parks and green spaces are foundational to community identity, quality of life, and future growth. Serving as a Commissioner would allow me to contribute my experience, community knowledge, and passion for outdoor spaces to support the long-range planning, financial oversight, and public advocacy essential to the Park District’s work.”

Preble County Park District is blessed to have Heidi Easley with us and we look forward to the future success of our parks, The Allen and Adeline Garber Nature Center in Lewisburg and The Devil’s Backbone in Camden.

Contact Us

Mailing Address

Physical Address

Preble County Park District

Post Office Box 577

Lewisburg, Ohio 45338

Physical Address

Preble County Park District

9691 OH-503 North

Lewisburg, Ohio 45338

The Allen & Adaline Garber

Nature Center

9691 OH-503 North

Lewisburg, Ohio 45338

The Herbert & Patricia Wagers'

Devil's Backbone Memorial Park

1301 OH-725 West

Camden, Ohio 45331

Please Note:

Physical Address

Please Note:

GARBER NATURE CENTER - The trails, trailhead parking and boardwalk are located at the rear of the property. Turn right at the entrance and follow the paved road 1/2 mile to the Garber Forest.

WAGERS PARK - When the entrance gate is closed during daylight hours, you may park at the entrance and hike back into the park.

Phone Number

Please Note:

937-962-5561 - Office

Email

Phone Number

Email

pcpdevents@gmail.com

Hours

Phone Number

Email

Open Dawn to Dusk Daily - All Year

Catch a Breath of Fresh Air-Preble County Park District, Lewisburg, OH

Our Beginning

Commissioners

Commissioner - Heidi Easley

Vice President - Brandy Ledbetter

Commissioner - Heidi Easley

President - Jeff Sewert

Vice President - Brandy Ledbetter

Commissioner - Heidi Easley

Vice President - Brandy Ledbetter

Vice President - Brandy Ledbetter

Vice President - Brandy Ledbetter

Staff

Manager - Mindy M. Davidson

Program Director - Bev Holland

Manager - Mindy M. Davidson

Maintenance - Paul Williams

Program Director - Bev Holland

Manager - Mindy M. Davidson

Program Director - Bev Holland

Program Director - Bev Holland

Program Director - Bev Holland

Congratulations New Commissioner, Heidi Easley!

Heidi Easley & Judge Overmyer

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

We appreciate our volunteer Commissioners!

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

Jeff Sewert, Heidi Easley, Judge Overmyer, Brandon Ledbetter

Press Release

Contact Us

Mailing Address

Physical Address

Physical Address

Physical Address

Physical Address

Physical Address

Please Note:

Physical Address

Please Note:

Phone Number

Phone Number

Please Note:

Email

Phone Number

Email

Hours

Phone Number

Email

Drop us a line!

Preserve Nature