NEW PHILADELPHIA − The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has officially completed the purchase of the 700-acres Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area in Marietta. This finalized an agreement announced earlier and secures the property’s long-term future as a publicly accessible natural space.
The purchase on Dec. 15, 2025, marked the culmination of a partnership between the Broughton family, MWCD, and the Marietta Community Foundation, according to a community announcement. With the transaction complete, the property is now permanently protected under MWCD ownership, ensuring continued conservation, responsible management, and public access for generations to come.
“This is a meaningful milestone for our organization and for the community,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director, said in the announcement. “Completing this purchase transforms a shared vision into a lasting commitment.”
The Broughton family has long shared the property with the public, fostering appreciation for nature, wildlife, and outdoor recreation in the region. Through this purchase, their legacy of conservation continues, supported by MWCD’s operational stewardship and a dedicated fund established by the Broughton Foundation through the Marietta Community Foundation.
“For our family, this land has always been about giving back to the community,” George Broughton said in the announcement. “With the purchase now complete, we’re confident the park will be protected and cared for in a way that aligns with our values and ensures it remains open and welcoming to the public.”
The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area will continue to offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education. As MWCD’s first major landholding in the southern portion of the watershed, the property also represents an important expansion of the district’s conservation footprint.
Additional information about events and public engagement opportunities will be shared by MWCD. For more information, visit www.mwcd.org or contact Dylan Sayre, Broughton Park and Trails Manager, at 740-249-1010.
MWCD covers more than 8,000 square miles and is the largest drainage system in Ohio. Its 16 dams and reservoirs provide flood reduction and water conservation benefits for property owners, residents, and visitors in the region.
Three major subwatershed regions come together to form the Muskingum Watershed — the Tuscarawas River Watershed in the northeast, the Walhonding River Watershed in the northwest, and the Lower Muskingum Watershed in the south. The Tuscarawas and Walhonding rivers flow in a southern direction, intersecting at Coshocton, forming the Muskingum River. The Muskingum River eventually empties into the Ohio River at Marietta in Washington County.
MWCD covers all or parts of 18 counties in eastern Ohio for its main operations, including Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington, and Wayne counties.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: MWCD expands footprint by purchasing Broughton Nature Area in Marietta
Reporting by Staff Reports / The Times-Reporter
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