Historically, Westmark Woods was open pastureland used for cattle grazing. When grazing stopped in the 1940s, the forest grew in, and formed a closed canopy by the 1970s. Despite the relatively young age of the woods, there are several “wolf trees” (or trees around 100-200 years old) scattered across the landscape including an American Sycamore, and a White Oak. 

The West Fork of the Mill Creek flows through the preserve on the way to the lake at Winton Woods (part of the Great Parks of Hamilton County).  Keep an eye out for native shrubs like Blackhaw Viburnum, Spicebush, and Eastern Wahoo. Because of its proximity to West Fork Mill Creek, these woods provide important urban habitat for beavers and migratory birds. The damp woods are also a perfect home for Eastern Box Turtles (like “Moss” below) and other herptofauna. 

Thank you to Mark Besserman, and the Prentosito family for making preserve access and protection of this preserve possible.