Photo Provided A row of cottages lines one of the walking paths at Epworth Park in Bethesda. The park is officially set to listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its governing board hopes to celebrate the designation in October.

BETHESDA — Tucked away among a grove of oaks in Bethesda, Epworth Park is officially on the list of places in the United States that are worthy of preservation.

June Diehl, chairwoman of the marketing committee of the Epworth Park Cottage Association, told The Times Leader on Friday that Epworth is officially set to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We are very excited!” Diehl wrote in an email.

The group doesn’t have its plaque yet, but members are hoping it will be received in time for a home tour event scheduled for October.

Epworth was established in 1870 as a Methodist campground. It was owned and operated by the Methodist Church of East Ohio Conference until 2018. When the church decided to part with the park, people who owned cottages at the site got organized and created the association. The park has over 60 cottages that are owned by residents of the Ohio Valley.

Steve Avdakov, is a board member of both the Epworth Park Cottage Association and the Epworth Park Foundation and the principal and owner of the Heritage Architectural Association, which launched the effort to get the property on the National Register of Historical Places. Avadakov previously told The Times Leader it is something that should have been done a long time ago. He said being on the registry would provide the park with financial incentives as well as help protect the character of the park.

The park was part of the Chautauqua movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That movement was a reflection of nationwide interests in adult education that had religious roots but later included general education, recreation and entertainment.

It hosted its most recent Chautauqua Days event in July.

“The park is moving forward while honoring the past but recognizing that it needs to do some improvements to ensure our viability going forward,” he said.

The park also continues to make improvements.

At Epworth Park, or the “Garden of Oaks,” one of the pinnacles of Chautauqua was the love and preservation of nature. In addition to its massive oaks, Epworth Park is now strategically placing butterfly gardens throughout the park. A recently completed project was 100% funded through donations. The park thanked Wallace Landscaping of St. Clairsville and Hannibal Garden Center of Clarington for their contributions to making these gardens a reality.

The park said creation of a butterfly garden brings many benefits to our environment. A few are:

– Pollination: Butterflies are essential pollinators, helping to fertilize many flowering plants, which supports biodiversity and ecosystem health.

– Habitat Conservation: Butterfly gardens provide a sanctuary for butterflies, helping to conserve their populations, especially those facing decline due to habitat loss and pollution.

– Educational Value: Observing butterflies can enhance learning about nature and the environment, promoting a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors.

The public is invited to walk the tranquil, serene setting of Epworth Park from dawn to dusk. It is open April 1 through Oct. 31.

For more information, visit epworthpark.org or call Diehl at 740-513-0400.