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Branch County is converting 168 acres, once considered for a landfill, into a public nature park.

Plans for the park include nature trails, a gravel parking lot, and restoring farmland to its natural habitat.

Branch County may soon be getting a new park.

Purchased over four decades ago for a potential garbage dump site for the county, the Branch County Commissioners on Thursday, Sept. 4, gave Administrator Frank Walsh authority to turn 168 acres along Bater Road in Batavia Township into a county park.

Shortly after Walsh began his job in January, he and the commission met in closed session with outside counsel to discuss county-owned property and its use.

State law requires that if the county allows private entities to use public property, "With a business conduct

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