Adam Cairns | DISPATCH
Worthington residents often make use of the ravine and land around the former Harding Hospital. Ohio State University recently sold the 45-acre site to Step By Step, an autism-treatment facility. Others would like to see the land designated as a park, or the whole site turned into a presidential library.
The Columbus Dispatch Saturday December 28, 2013 6:11 AM
The paths, large trees and camplike feel of a Worthington autism-treatment facility would be preserved as a park, or presidential library, or at least have public access, if Peter Harding has his way.
Harding, 72, who grew up on the site of the former Harding Hospital, worries that the 45-acre ravine-cut homestead might be spoiled if not developed wisely. He also believes that the woodland beauty near 445 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. should be shared.
The sale of the Ohio State University-owned site to Step By Step Academy has been approved by the universitys trustees and, last week, by the Ohio legislature. Gov. John Kasich signed the bill on Dec. 19.
But Harding, his relatives, some state lawmakers and a Cleveland lawyer who is pining for a presidential library have reservations.
That is to Worthington what Central Park is to New York City, Harding said of the site of the former psychiatric hospital. That should not be held back from the public no matter what happens, he said from his California home.
Harding, who is a lawyer and psychiatrist, is a founder of the Big Sur Land Trust, a 35-year-old agreement that protects 40,000 acres along the central coast of California from development. In a recent letter to city officials, he urged Worthington to consider a similar trust or conservation easement around his old home to protect the pristine beauty of the ravines and old-growth woodland.
Harding is a grandnephew of President Warren G. Harding. His 85-year-old cousin, George Harding, is the family patriarch and has a home bordering the property in Worthington. There is no official public access, but many house lots back up to the site, and the ravine is used for hiking and exploring.
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Harding heirs hope hospital site stays open