News
Updates from the Wesley Stump Family Foundation — grouped by mood, starting with the maples.
The Channel Takes Shape: Foundation Files Strongsville Permit for Historic Canal-Inspired Waterway at Mill Hollow
Wesley Stump Family Foundation has filed Building Permit #26001679 with the City of Strongsville for a private canal-style water channel at Mill Hollow — connecting Ground restoration, Learn programming on Ohio valley history, and a front deck overlooking yellow lilies below.
Sugar Maples
The fan favorite — canopy, color, and the trees everything else on this land orbits around.
Strongsville Volunteers Battle Invasive Vines to Save Beloved Sugar Maples
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is leading a targeted removal effort to clear invasive red poison vines strangling the property's mature Sugar Maples — freeing the trees to rebuild root systems and deliver vivid fall color for years to come.
Light from Above: A Minimal Solar Post Proposal for the Maple Woods at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is exploring a low-impact solar post installation at Wesley Woods — a single 8-foot post with a small solar panel mounted at the top, requiring only a minimal canopy opening to access sunlight. The proposal prioritizes the health of the maple canopy above all else.
Leaves, Raking, and Composting at Wesley Woods — Doing It Right
A mature Sugar Maple drops a significant amount of leaves each fall. At Wesley Woods, the Wesley Stump Family Foundation manages leaf volume deliberately — protecting native plantings, keeping trails clear, and composting all organic material on-site in a way that serves the land without creating a nuisance.
The Mystery Shrub and the Spotted Maple: Two Trail Puzzles at Wesley Woods — Solved
Two puzzling sightings have been turning heads on the Wesley Woods trails: a small thorny shrub with bright green leaves and deflated red berry-like sacs, and Sugar Maple leaves covered in raised red spots. Both have definitive answers — and one of them is a serious invasive species problem.
Red Alert on the Trail: That's Not a Ladybug — And Experts Say You Should Pay Attention
Volunteers at the Foundation's Strongsville property have been spotting a striking red insect with black spots and distinctive white eyes — and it's not a ladybug. It may be a Spotted Lanternfly nymph, an invasive species that threatens Ohio's maple trees and should be reported immediately.
Water, Wildlife & Wonder
Living water, quiet habitat, and the long view of what this land is becoming.
Yellow Lilies and Living Water: Foundation Names Creek and Wetland Restoration Its Top Summer Priority
A thriving pond of yellow water lilies fed by a concrete culvert at the Foundation's Strongsville property has been named the top restoration priority for Summer 2026 — with plans to expand lily coverage, protect the wetland margins, and steward the full creek corridor.
Wesley Woods: Log Retaining Wall, Portable Shed, and Certified Deer Habitat on the Wooded Slope
Wesley Family Foundation is developing the vacant lot slope at Wesley Woods with a 4-foot log retaining wall, a small portable shed, a walking path to a bicycle charging station, running water fountain, and bench — with certified deer habitat along a natural deer trail and a valley creek timber crossing over a 20-foot elevation change.
Fox Den and Woodlands Habitat Sanctuary Opens for Wildlife Viewing
New sanctuary program creates viewing habitats for wild animals native to Ohio metroparks, with specialized areas for blue jays, butterflies, praying mantis, wooly bear caterpillars, and pine beetles.
Otter Habitat Development Planned for Property Waterway
Wesley Family Foundation announces plans to develop a natural otter habitat at the back of the property, utilizing existing mud and water features to create an ideal environment for these native Ohio mammals.
Wesley Family Foundation Enters Contract for 1-Acre Wooded Haven in Ohio
Wesley Family Foundation has entered into a contract to acquire ~1 acre of fully wooded land in Ohio, adjacent to the Cleveland Metroparks, to steward as a native woodland sanctuary.
"A Place to Breathe": Foundation Casts Long-Term Vision for Strongsville Restoration Property
Behind each trail, cleared vine, and planted tree at the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's Strongsville property is a larger vision — a privately stewarded woodland managed for ecological health, long-term restoration, and the quiet satisfaction of caring well for a piece of land.
Harvest & New Growth
Apples in hand, roots in soil, and the satisfaction of land that feeds you back.
Walk the Land, Pick an Apple: The Simple Joy of Growing Your Own
Apple trees are one of the most rewarding additions to a private property — producing abundant fruit, supporting pollinators, and giving you a reason to step outside. Here's everything you need to know about planting, watering, siting, and harvesting apples, centered on the pure pleasure of walking your land and eating something you grew yourself.
Wild Crab Apples Spark Orchard Vision at Strongsville Restoration Site
Restoration workers at the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's Strongsville property discovered wild green crab apple trees near the creek — and the find has sparked a full orchard enhancement plan to plant diverse eating apple varieties alongside them to support pollinators and wildlife at the private restoration site.
Land Acquired! The Journey Begins
Wesley Family Foundation has closed on its first land parcel in Ohio -- over half an acre that will support a comprehensive ecosystem for native trees, plants, grasses, and wildlife. An active restoration project is underway, with winter seasonal work completed and plans developing for the next year of growth.
Safety & Adventure
Trails, bikes, creeks, and slopes — explored with skill, respect, and a plan.
Walking Among Giants: A Private Historic-Tree Trail Takes Shape at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is developing a private walking trail at Wesley Woods that winds past the property's oldest and most significant trees — lit by lamp posts, watched by cameras, and closed to the public. The project will require a building permit and an electric utility connection, both now in planning.
Lights On, Eyes Up: Foundation Files Electrical Permit for Solar-Powered Security at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation has filed a building/electrical permit with the City of Strongsville for a low-voltage, solar-powered security camera system along the front of the private Wesley Woods trail — protecting the historic trees while preserving them, with no tree removal and full right-of-way coordination.
New Trails and Handcrafted Structures Open Up Steep Terrain at Foundation Property
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation has transformed a challenging 25-foot hillside at its Strongsville restoration property with hand-built walking trails, log retaining walls, twine handrails, a timber footbridge, and a rustic maple bench — making the slope safe, accessible, and beautiful.
Crossing the Creek: Wesley Stump Family Foundation Files for Bicycle Bridge Permit at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation has submitted a variance application to the Strongsville Board of Zoning Appeals for a low-impact bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the creek at Wesley Woods. The structure would connect the restored trail system to the property's ChargePoint bicycle charging station — and the Foundation's application makes a clear case on all four required variance criteria.
Foundation Property Eyes E-Bike Safety Trail as Outdoor Education Takes New Direction
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is exploring a dedicated electric bicycle and e-mountain bike safety study corridor at its Strongsville property — a graduated trail designed to teach riders the unique handling characteristics of pedal-assist bikes on real terrain.
Know Before You Ride: E-Bike Laws in Strongsville — Including the One Most Riders Don't Know About
Electric bikes are changing how people get around — but most riders don't know that Ohio law treats e-bikes differently depending on how you ride them, and that Strongsville has a specific ordinance with a consequence many cyclists never see coming. Here's what you need to know before you roll.
Candlelight Canoe Event at Private Park Features Teepee, Rock Climbing, and Zip Line
Wesley Family Foundation announces a candlelight canoe event at a private park, featuring a narrow creek with wooden bottom, walking bridge, teepee gathering space, rock climbing, steel rope zip line, and animal day activities.
New Spelunking Safety Program Launches with Focus on Erosion Testing and Tree Climbing
Wesley Family Foundation launches a new Spelunking Safety program focused on safe exploration of sloped land through erosion testing, tree and root climbing safety, and trail carpentry.
When a Tree Leans in the Woods: City Arborist Clears Two Partially Fallen Trees at Wesley Woods
Two large trees at the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's Strongsville property are partially fallen — leaning against neighboring trees rather than the ground. A Strongsville city arborist visited the site, assessed the clearance, fall direction, and prevailing wind conditions, and determined both trees are safe to remain in place for at least a year. Here's what that evaluation looked like, and what to do when a tree comes down on your property.
Hands-On Stewardship
Research, grading, mulch, and the patient craft of shaping land without breaking it.
The 2026 Plan: Why We Do This Work
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation shares its 2026 restoration plan for Wesley Woods in Strongsville — and the deeper reason behind every cleared vine, every planted tree, and every trail built by hand. This is about land that deserves to be cared for, and stewarded with intention.
Research Initiative: Slope Grading, Timber Support, and Wooden Bridges for Wooded Walking Paths
Wesley Family Foundation is researching practical methods for grading steep wooded slopes, building timber retaining structures, and constructing simple wooden bridges for walking paths — with a focus on Wesley Woods and similar properties with natural grade changes.
Managing Dead and Fallen Wood at Wesley Woods
After a hard Ohio winter, fallen limbs, broken trunks, and standing dead trees accumulate on any wooded property. The Wesley Stump Family Foundation explains what gets removed, what stays, and how all cut material is reused on-site as part of responsible private land stewardship at Wesley Woods.
Free Mulch From the Forest Floor: Turning Decomposing Wood into Rich Ground Cover
Dead and decaying logs at Wesley Woods are a hidden resource — not waste. A simple rake is all it takes to break down dry, crumbling bark and wood into fresh, fragrant natural mulch. No chipper required. The forest makes its own.
How to Work with the Strongsville Board of Zoning Appeals — Variance Requirements, Criteria, and Process
The Strongsville Board of Zoning Appeals handles cases where strict application of the zoning code creates an unfair outcome for properties with unusual physical characteristics. The Wesley Family Foundation explains the four-criteria variance process under Section 1248.08, and how private landowners can substantiate each requirement.
Community & Commitment
People gathering, programs launching, and the work extending beyond one parcel.
Inaugural Introduction Event: A Candlelit Evening of Discovery
Wesley Family Foundation hosts its inaugural introduction event, a private candlelit evening gathering to discuss programs, vision, and the future of environmental stewardship and community impact.
Wesley Family Foundation Seeks Bilingual Coordinator for Conservation Programs
Wesley Family Foundation is hiring a Bilingual Coordinator to lead conservation initiatives including land management planning, spring planting coordination, ecosystem research, publishing conservation information, managing property-related legal coordination with courts of equity and governmental entities, and navigating zoning, building codes, and permitting for sustainable land development.
Board Resolution Establishing a City Land Bank Acquisition Program (Cleveland)
The Board of Directors of the Wesley Stump Family Foundation, Inc. establishes a program to identify and prudently acquire qualifying City-owned parcels via Cleveland's Land Bank for ecological restoration, environmental research, public benefit, and educational programming.
Roots & History
The Ohio valleys and forests have a long story — canals, frontier labor, and the systems people built to move through this land. Part of the Learn program.
Clearing Toxic Ground
Invasive vines, poison ivy, barberry, and other hazards are being removed systematically — but not all at once. Some species still provide useful shade until the next wave of maple saplings fills the canopy. We clear what threatens the trees. We wait on what the forest still needs.
Clearing the Ground: Removing Invasive Vines, Toxic Shrubs, and Thorny Species at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is systematically removing Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, climbing poison ivy, and garlic mustard from the private restoration property at Wesley Woods — protecting the mature Sugar Maple canopy and making space for native understory plants. Some cover is kept for now where it still shades the slope until the next wave of maple saplings fills in.
Leaves of Three, Let It Be: Your Field Guide to Toxic Plants on the Trail
As foot traffic increases on the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's new trail system in Strongsville, the Foundation is sharing a field guide to identifying poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other hazardous plants — and what to do if you think you've been exposed.
Don't Touch That: A Practical Guide to Poison Ivy — Identification, Treatment, and What to Do When You're Not Sure
Poison ivy is everywhere in Northeast Ohio woodlands, and most people can't reliably identify it until they're already itching. Here's how to spot it, what to do the moment you think you've touched it, how to treat the rash, and a simple rule for any plant you don't recognize: if it's spiky, thorny, or red — stop, step back, and call the city.
Pretty Plant, Real Danger: How to Identify Red-Stemmed Pokeweed and Other Colorful Hazards at Wesley Woods
Green leafy plants with vivid red or purple-red stems are appearing across the Foundation property — and volunteers need to know what they are. The most common culprit is pokeweed, a striking native plant that is also highly toxic from root to berry. Here's how to spot it and what to do.