The public is invited to the unveiling of a new bronze Tecumseh statue at Shawnee Prairie Nature Preserve on June 17th, 2022. The unveiling ceremony will begin at 12:00 pm with the telling of Tecumseh’s story and words shared by several special guests.

This reveal will be held in conjunction with the Darke County Park District’s 50th anniversary celebration and will be part of the newly formed Darke County Public Art Trail Initiative. Invited dignitaries include representatives of each of the three Shawnee Tribes, the office of the Governor and Lt. Governor, State and Federal Senators, State Representatives, District Park Commissioners, and local dignitaries.

Darke County Center for the Arts (DCCA) started the plans for the Tecumseh statue and the Darke County Public Art Trail as part of their initiative to showcase public artworks available to Darke County Residents. Funds of $40,000 for the project were secured through Senator Matt Huffman's office from the Ohio Capital Budget, with hopes that additional funding will be granted for future installations throughout the county. Joshua Shepherd, who created the Little Turtle statue in the Greenville City Park, is also the artist behind the Tecumseh statue.

Standing about 6 feet tall, the statue will make its permanent home near the Shawnee Nature Center building, marking land that was once inhabited by the Shawnee Tribes. A platform will be laid around the statue, allowing visitors to see the artwork up close and have the opportunity to take photos. Members of the Shawnee Tribes will be treated to a traditional Native American meal, given a tour of the preserve, and invited to use the Anthony Wayne Peace House for Council.

The Tecumseh Statue marks just one stop on the Darke County Art Trail. Additional stops will be highlighted throughout the county and maps will soon be available. An additional request for funding has been proposed for the Capital Budget to add more stops along the trail.

DCCA along with the Darke County Parks Disctrict encourage everyone to come take part in this exciting event. Seating will be available for spectators. Please follow signs for parking. A shuttle will be available to transport guests to and from the overflow parking area.

More information about the Darke County Public Art Trail will be available on the DCCA website, www.darkecountyarts.org/art-trail.

For more information about the Darke County Parks District, visit http://www.darkecountyparks.org/

Darke County Parks gathered on Saturday, April 23rd with friends and family of late maintenance supervisor, Wayne Nichols to celebrate the dedication of the “Wayne Nichols Memorial Bridge” and mile on the Tecumseh Trail in Greenville.

 Wayne passed away unexpectedly Dec 3, 2017. Wayne was instrumental in completing this portion of the trail project in 2016, on the area where the confluence of Cook ditch and Bridge Creek join. Wayne had constructed a temporary bridge on Cook Ditch to cross over with equipment. Wayne named it “his memorial bridge”. District Director, Roger Van Frank stated at the memorial opening that “Wayne Once told me this was his perfect job where he could put all of his skills to work!”

The Wayne Nichols Memorial Bridge and mile are located east off of Sebring Warner, under the 127 overpasses.

For more information about the Wayne Nichols Memorial Bridge or the Tecumseh Trail, call the Nature Center at 937-548-0165.