The Foundation for Geauga Parks has partnered with Thompson Ledges Park Commission to assist with fundraising for the park and its new Nature Center. The Foundation will manage the Dan Best Nature Awareness Fund to raise funds for Thompson Ledges. This permanent fund will help preserve Thompson Ledges and its Nature Center for generations to come. Known for striking rock formations, deep crevices, bubbling springs, and panoramic views, Thompson Ledges has long been a beloved natural landmark. Once a popular 19th-century picnic spot, the area became Geauga County’s first public park in 1941. Over time, littering and vandalism took a toll. Dedicated park commissioners often spent countless volunteer hours removing trash and scrubbing graffiti from the ledges to preserve this community gem.

A major turning point came with a generous gift from the Francis Spatz Leighton Trust. Francis, a Thompson native and acclaimed author, left a bequest to create a wildlife refuge on her family’s land. When that plan proved unworkable, the trust funded the development of a new indoor Nature and Learning Center, surrounded by themed outdoor features celebrating the forces of nature and human history.

Designed by retired Geauga Park District Naturalist and former Foundation for Geauga Parks Trustee, Dan Best, the interpretive plan includes engaging indoor exhibits—like a 3D diorama of the Sharon Conglomerate rock face—and outdoor panels on geology, ecology, and wildlife. Playful elements like wildlife silhouettes and a black bear sculpture add family-friendly charm.

To honor Dan’s lifelong dedication, the Thompson Ledges Park Commission has created the Dan Best Nature Awareness Fund through the Foundation for Geauga Parks.