Natural History
	Luther E. Warren Biography

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Natural History of the Peace Path

If you walk this path in the early morning hours or near dusk, you may encounter deer or even a wild turkey.  If you listen carefully, you will hear the songs of thrushes, phoebes, and warblers, the low hoot of a Great Horned Owl, or the tap, tap, tap of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

In the spring you may enjoy the smells of black locust and honeysuckle, or the delicate beauty of Miami mist, dame's rocket or golden ragwort.  Some other interesting plants found on the trail include scouring rush, poison hemlock and May apples.  Some of the largest trees in Clinton County and Ohio are found along the path and in the adjacent Sugar Grove Cemetery, as the riparian (stream) and hillside environments meet.  These include tulip poplar, many Ohio buckeyes, basswood and the largest Cilician fir in Ohio (on cemetery grounds).

Besides chipmunks and squirrels, look for at least four species of turtles, including the spiny soft-shell, snakes (none are poisonous), aquatic and tree frogs.  We only ask that you look, but don't collect; listen, but don't disturb; and stay on the trail.

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Luther E. Warren Biography

The local Wilmington rail-trail is officially named "The Luther E. Warren Peace Path" to honor the late educator, Luther E. Warren, a native of Clinton County for 106 years.  However, longevity is not the reason we honor him.  It is fitting that the City of Wilmington's Quaker heritage be remembered in this first linear park through a man of peace.  Luther Warren put his Quaker beliefs into practice as a pacifist, who served with the American Friends Service Committee in Europe during World War I helping the civilian relief effort, and as a vocational counselor with the Veteran's Administration.

After retiring from a teaching career that spanned parts of seven decades, Dr. Warren frequently walked this trail with Dr. Nathan S. Hale, a physician and naturalist, enjoying the plants and animals that flourish along this abandoned railway.  Together they worked to develop a walking trail for the citizens of Wilmington.  We hope that you too will gain a measure of peace as you use this trail.

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