The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a donation of 409 acres on the east side of the county and approved a resolution to designate the land the Monroe County Nature Preserve. The board took the action during its July 24 meeting, passing the resolution by a 2-0 vote. "We recently received a very generous donation from the Nancy Henningkson Trust of 409 acres on the East side of the county," a county staff member said during the meeting. The parcel is bordered by Smith Road, Morris Pike and State Road 446. The resolution recorded in the meeting materials was identified as Resolution 20 20 five-thirty 2. The Historic Preservation Board of Review submitted a written statement supporting the working name and asked that future historical or archaeological finds be considered in naming decisions. Devin Blankenship, a member and past chair of the Historic Preservation Board of Review, told commissioners: "Historic Preservation Board supports the name Monroe County Nature Preserve." Parks and recreation director Miss Whitmer said county staff plan a phased approach before full public access because the land is still being farmed. "Our staff is so excited about this project," Whitmer said. She said staff expect to start installing grass trails in 2026 so public trail use can begin in 2027 and that the parks department will work to keep the site low-impact with amenities such as a trailhead, drinking fountain and picnic tables. Commissioners discussed coordination with the Historic Preservation Board for interpretive signage and noted work with Purdue University on reforestation plans. The board recorded gratitude to the donor and directed staff to continue planning and engagement with neighborhood stakeholders. No separate motion or amendment to the resolution was recorded; the resolution passed with the standard voice vote showing two ayes and no nays. The county said certain operational details — miles of trail, phased timeline for public openings and precise construction work — will be determined during design and planning and that farming will continue for an interim period under terms of the trust.