Fossil Path dedicated

Scientists say dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions of years, and the fossil remains of those extinct animals, as well as prehistoric rocks, now have their own portion of the Children’s Garden at Smiley Park. Robin Kraner of Stoneco Quarry cut the ribbon Wednesday on the project she spearheaded  to create a Fossil Path in the garden. The path consists of rocks and fossils donated from several Stoneco quarries, including the Scott quarry and Ostrander Quarry near Columbus. Rocks include sedimentary rocks (limestone) from the upper  Silurian geologic era that began approximately 440 million years ago, as well as limestone from the Devonian time period approximately 410 million years ago.  Two minerals that can be found in the path are celestite (strontium sulfate), a sky blue-colored mineral, and calcite (calcium carbonate), which is light brown to clear in color. Both of those minerals came from a Stoneco quarry in Perrysburg. Kraner said the Fossil Path was part of an effort to allow children of all ages the opportunity to get a hands-on look at the past. Swan Memorials also assisted the project by etching dinosaurs on three large rocks along the path. Here, Kraner and Nehemiah Magoulas cut the ribbon held by Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce board members Andrea Carlin (left) and Shonda Vorst (right) while (from the left) City Parks Director Sue Heppeard, Connie Swander of Swan Memorials, and Virginia Magoulas (held by Master Gardener Louise Hartwig) look on. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)