An interview with ‘big drop’ bob bevard of Horns hill
Having spent a lifetime in Licking County, Bevard was familiar with Horns Hill, the 200-foot swell on the north end of Newark atop of which the city’s water supply resides in colossal tanks.
Bevard was confident the spot would be ideal for mountain biking — to the extent that, after an inspiring trip down a mountain bike flow trail at Snowshoe, West Virginia, he rented a machine to replicate the trail in his backyard. At the time he told a friend that “This is just my prototype for what I want to do at Horns Hill one day.”
Horns Hill
Experience Licking County Like a Local…
Imagine an adventure-filled weekend for you and your bests — family, friends, buddies. What would it consist of? Where would you go? If you’re feeling clueless, allow us to help you out — from getting the right equipment to finding a place to rest your head, Licking County has you covered.
Prominently located on the west side of Newark’s Courthouse Square, Downtown Cycles is an accessible resource for cyclists of all skill levels — from beginners looking for a new set of wheels to experts looking to upgrade their equipment.
While common services include things like complete bike tune ups, wheel truing and building, brake adjustments, tube/tire replacement, press fit bearing and accessory installation, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bicycle-related problem for which owners Juston “Jutt” Wood and Cody Clary don’t have a solution.
With a high priority on customer service and a commitment to meeting clients’ needs (above selling them on the unnecessaries), Wood and Clary have made it their life’s work to provide meaningful service and spread their passion for all things cycling.
“If you like bikes — anything from BMX, 20-inch bikes to comfort hybrids to full suspension mountain bikes, we pretty much have it all,” Wood says. “And are able to service them all as well.”
The pair have been a fixture on Courthouse Square for nearly a decade and pride themselves on their attention to detail with a personal touch.
"I've always enjoyed repairing bikes, and that's why I do it," Wood says. "It's definitely out of love."
Once you’ve invested in the perfect set of wheels (or gotten yours an overdue tune-up), it’s time to test them out. And though you never know what wheels you might find at Newark Skatepark, but chances are you’ll fit right in. Skateboards or tricycles, rollerblades or BMX bikes, the skatepark is open to anyone with a set of wheels and the inclination to try something new.
Located in Newark’s Everett Park, the Skatepark celebrated its much-anticipated opening in August 2019. Its sprawling layout, featuring a variety of expertly paved hills and jumps, was crafted by L.A.-based Spohn Ranch Skateparks, which has overseen the construction of similar parks across the country. Suited to a variety of skill levels, the $2 million, 16,000 square foot park boasts a dizzying array of ramps and rails, accented in a playful red color scheme: A street section with rails, ledges and manual pads, beginner bowl section with spine, intermediate bowl section, advanced bowl section with full-pipe and pump track.
To maximize usage, the park, which opens at dawn, remains illuminated until closing time at 11 p.m. each night.
The skatepark offers plenty of seating for spectators; in addition, Everett Park is home to an array of picnic shelters, playgrounds, a community garden and a fenced dog park, as well as practice baseball fields and disc golf.
If you’re looking for a way to cool off after a day of adventure, head down Ohio 79 to Heath, where the Heath City Water Park offers the thrill of a large-scale waterpark with the friendliness of a hometown swimming pool.
Part of the beauty of this pristine complex is that it promises a little something for everyone: Grown-ups interested in a gentle workout are sure to enjoy a quiet lap swim in the 50-meter lap pool, followed by a cool-down in the gently curving lazy river.
Parents of young ones will appreciate the smaller, shallow pool next to the main pool, where young ones are free to splash to their hearts’ content without a worry of drifting into deeper waters. A baby pool across the way is perfect for the tiniest guests to dip their toes.
Once they’re ready to graduate, a splash pad area and two smaller slides provide the perfect segue into the larger pools: An oversized bucket can overturn at any moment, adding to the sense of anticipation.
For experienced swimmers, four slides — a 30-foot speed slide with 65 to 70 degree drop, a 30-foot, 229-foot long high twisting water slide, and two drop slides 17 feet high with a 40 degree drop — provide nonstop thrills, while 3-meter and 1-meter diving boards promise a full day of old-fashioned cannonball fun.
Surrounding the pool area, a series of oversized “funbrellas” offer ample shade for families looking to get a break from the sunshine, and a playground and basketball courts provide ample opportunity for fun outside the pool.
Everyone needs a place to relax after a day of adventure — a spot where you can laugh at the day’s antics, reflect on new things learned (or at least attempted) and reconnect with the people you love. For times like these, there’s Stein Brewing.
Established in Knox County and re-imagined in Licking, Stein Brewing has a love of all things local. In its newest location on Newark’s West Church Street, Stein Brewing offers an ever-changing lineup of food and drink that is sure to please even the toughest of out-of-town critics.
Step into the historic downtown location and marvel at the “beer wall,” where you can invent your own flight of beer based on the selections from the extensive menu.
While the list of what’s on tap is always fresh, with a good selection of Buckeye brews — Millersburg Brewing Co., Columbus Brewing Co., and Athens’ Jackie O’s Brewery among them — Stein offers plenty of goodies for non-beer drinkers, too (your inner child will surely thank you for that glass of orange cream soda).
Since you’ve spent a day working up an appetite, the menu at Stein is sure to have an offering to tickle your tastebuds — plus an appetizer selection to pass around (if you must).
Rooted in stick-to-your-ribs classics but with a few fun twists, the menu at Stein is suited to a variety of palates. Regulars swear by the generously-proportioned SBC Pretzel with Beer Cheese, suitable as an appetizer or meal in itself, especially when paired with the spicy or yellow mustard dip. For something more substantial, tuck into the half-pound beef barbecue burger or buffalo chicken sandwich, served with a side of seasoned fries.
One thing is certain: You won’t leave hungry (or thirsty).
After a day filled with memorable experiences, there’s nothing like letting your head hit the pillow in a place that feels just as unique. With a pleasant surprise tucked into every corner, the historic Welsh Hills Inn is brimming with personality. From the meticulously curated artwork that adorns the walls to the nooks into which locally produced refreshments are at the ready, Welsh Hills has worked hard to earn designations from various authorities as one of the top bed & breakfasts in the country (and beyond) — and it shows.
Owners Jeff and Bobbi Noe are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to make this haven in the Welsh Hills region north of Granville an even cozier retreat for couples and individuals.
“It's a very quiet, intimate sort of experience when you're here. And that's one of the draws, I think, for people,” Bobbi said.
A gift shop whose windows open to the impeccably kept landscape displays wares furnished by area artisans — no generic “Wish You Were Here” keychains here; rather, bespoke pieces of art and jewelry by Buckeye artists and artisans, all of which function as an extension of the Inn’s mission to support fellow local businesses and craftspeople.
Guests are invited to make this home their own and mingle or retreat to their hearts’ content. An inviting veranda lined with high-back rocking chairs overlooks the grounds and begs to be a place where a cup of coffee is enjoyed as the sun comes up. A fire pit beckons guests on chillier days to cozy up for a warm beverage and some quality conversation.
Whatever the season, Welsh Hills promises an experience like no other in a setting that’s as comfortable as home, complete with the special touches you deserve.
