More than 400 acres of farmland and forest off State Road 446 will soon be available to the public as a nature preserve, thanks to Nancy Huntington, who left the land to Monroe County for “recreational use” when she died in 2023.
An extensive trail system will be built by the county’s parks and recreation department by 2027, and guided tours of the area are expected sooner.
But it comes at the expense of two families who live there, the Hollerses and the Hendricksons. The county sent them letters in July saying they had to leave permanently so the area can be prepared for public use.
The request stings for Dave and Margaret Hollers, who have two decades of memories at the two-story farmhouse they’ve leased since 2005. One of the most painful memories was the death of their grandson, Braydn, who died in a four-wheeling accident on the property 14 years ago.
There’s a memorial for Braydn where the accident happened. On a recent day, Dale knelt on the ground, clearing weeds and applying fresh paint. He still thinks about that day.
“I was just praying to God for (Braydn) to make it and take me, but it crushed his little heart,” Hollers said. “…That still bothers me today.”
Now, the Hollerses need to find a new place to live by October, the county said. Dale believes that’s not enough time to find a new place, given housing and rental prices.
“We've drove, I don't know how many tanks of gas, out everywhere, trying to find a place,” he said. “And we can't pay no $1,500 to $3,000 for rent.”
Until late 2024, the county was trying to determine what “recreational use” in Huntington’s revocable trust meant, and ways to move forward. In a petition to interpret the meaning filed in December 2024, Monroe Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey Bradley said the land could be used for sports, nature-based activities, or educational and community events.
Dale and Margaret knew the property would be dedicated to nature and recreation when Nancy Huntington died. But Dale said the county and property management weren’t clear about the possibility they would have to leave. He thought they might be allowed to continue their lease and look after the land.
The county’s attorney, Justin Roddye, said that was a possibility proposed, but no promises were made. According to the court order interpreting use for the land, the county can lease to the Hollerses for up to two years.
Read more: Commissioners establish 409-acre Monroe County Nature Preserve
Roddye said the county determined it needed to end the residential leases sooner so it could add parking, entryways, and trails. The property officially came into the county’s possession in June. During a visit to the property May 30, Roddye told the Hollerses informally there was a “strong possibility” they would have to move.
Dale and Margaret are trying to sell or dispose of what they don’t need in the house. Dale wishes the county would give them a year to look for somewhere to go.
“They're not understanding. You just can't walk out there and find a place to move,” Dale Hollers said. “…They got 409 acres handed to them on a gold platter. Now, why in the world are they being so rude and mean to us?”
Roddye said neither the Hollerses nor the Hendricksons owe rent for August or September. He added Huntington made the land into a revocable trust in the 2000s, which very few people knew about until she died. The land will be used for recreational use in perpetuity.
