Tucked along the Olentangy State Scenic River just north of Columbus, this 1,200-acre gem protects some of central Ohio’s most impressive old trees. We’re talking sycamores estimated at 400–500 years old with trunks over 23 feet around, plus centuries-old oaks and hickories in a designated old-growth preserve.

What Makes Highbanks Metro Park’s Trees Special

Highbanks sits on dramatic 100-foot shale bluffs overlooking the river. The steep ravines and floodplains created perfect conditions for trees to grow huge and live long deep soil, consistent moisture, and protection from heavy logging.

The standout is the famous Giant Sycamore (American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis). Multiple sources put the largest specimens at 400–500 years old with circumferences of 23–24 feet. These are among the biggest and oldest sycamores in the region.

Inland, the Edward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve protects a true old-growth forest patch 206 acres of mixed-age woodland with many trees 150–300+ years old.

The Standout Trees You Can Actually See

Tree Type	Estimated Age	Size Highlight	Best Trail / Location	Notes
Giant Sycamore	400–500 years	23–24 ft circumference	Olentangy River (River Bluff area)	Off-trail river walk only during guided events
White/Red Oaks	200–300+ years	Massive canopy, thick trunks	Overlook Trail (near Pool Family cemetery)	Part of old-growth preserve
Sugar Maple & Hickory	150–250+ years	Tall, straight forest canopy	Overlook Trail & Hutchins Preserve	Dense old-growth section
Beech	150–200+ years	Twisted “haunted forest” look	Dripping Rock Trail	Dramatic shapes from young age

How to Visit the Notable Old Trees in 2026

The Giant Sycamore: This one isn’t on a regular trail. Metro Parks runs guided “River Walk to the Giant Sycamore” events a couple of times per year (usually late summer when water levels allow). You hike in the river expect wet feet, rocks, and a rugged 1.5-mile round trip. Closed-toe water shoes required. Check the official Metro Parks calendar for 2026 dates.

The old-growth forest: Head straight to the Overlook Trail. It’s an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile loop that takes you through the Edward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve. You’ll pass 200–300-year-old oaks right near the historic Pool Family cemetery stones. Stay on the path no off-trail wandering allowed in the preserve.

Other good options: Sycamore Trail for river-bottom sycamores and cottonwoods; Dripping Rock Trail for those twisted old beech trees.

Why These Trees Matter More in 2026

Central Ohio has lost most of its pre-settlement forest. Highbanks protects one of the last sizable old-growth remnants in the region. The park’s inclusion in the Old-Growth Forest Network (2022) and its National Historic Landmark status for ancient Native American earthworks make it a priority conservation site.

Statistical Proof The Hutchins Preserve alone supports 45 tree species, 22 shrubs, and 144 herbaceous plants. Many upland trees here are 150–300+ years old rare for central Ohio where most woodlands are younger second-growth. [Source: Metro Parks & Old-Growth Forest Network reports, 2025–2026]

Myth vs Fact

• Myth: You can just walk to the Giant Sycamore anytime. Fact: It’s off-trail and river-based. Only guided events are permitted for safety and resource protection.
• Myth: All the big trees are easy to reach. Fact: The oldest sycamores require a wet river hike; the upland old-growth is on maintained trails but still feels wild.
• Myth: These are just “big trees” like any park. Fact: Several are pre-settlement veterans and part of a nationally recognized old-growth preserve.

Practical Tips for 2026 Visitors

• Best time: Late spring for wildflowers under the canopy or early fall for color.
• Parking & access: Main entrance at 9466 Columbus Pike (US 23 North), Lewis Center. River Bluff area has its own small lot for events.
• What to bring: Sturdy shoes, water, bug spray, binoculars for eagles (yes, they nest here).
• Rules: Stay on trails in the nature preserve. No climbing or carving. Pets allowed on most trails but not in the preserve interior.

FAQs

How old is the Giant Sycamore in Highbanks Metro Park?

Estimates range from 400 to 500 years. It’s one of the oldest and largest sycamores documented in the region, with a circumference of 23–24 feet.

Can I see the old trees without a guided tour?

Yes the 200–300-year-old oaks on the Overlook Trail and Hutchins Nature Preserve are accessible anytime the park is open. The Giant Sycamore requires a guided river walk.

What trails have the oldest trees at Highbanks?

Overlook Trail (old-growth oaks and maples) and Dripping Rock Trail (ancient beech). The Sycamore Trail gives you big river-bottom sycamores and cottonwoods.

Is the old-growth forest in Highbanks protected?

The 206-acre Edward F. Hutchins Nature Preserve is part of the national Old-Growth Forest Network and a State Nature Preserve. No off-trail activity is allowed.

When are the river walks to the Giant Sycamore in 2026?

Dates are announced on the Metro Parks calendar each year usually a couple of summer/fall events when river levels cooperate. Check metroparks.net/events regularly.

Are there any champion or record trees in Lewis Center?

Highbanks holds several of the largest and oldest trees in central Ohio, including standout sycamores and upland oaks recognized in local champion-tree lists.

Conclusion

Highbanks Metro Park’s notable old trees the 400–500-year Giant Sycamores, the ancient oaks on the Overlook Trail, and the protected old-growth forest in the Hutchins Preserve give Lewis Center something truly rare: a direct link to Ohio’s deep natural past.

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Priority Infrastructure Plan is the state’s smart way of making sure growth pays for growth fairly, predictably, and in the right places. In 2026, with population pressures still climbing and councils updating their plans under the Planning Act, understanding the PIP (or its modern LGIP cousin) is essential whether you’re a developer, first-home buyer, investor, or local resident.

What a Priority Infrastructure Plan Actually Is

A Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP) is the statutory document inside a Queensland council’s planning scheme that coordinates land-use growth with the trunk infrastructure needed to support it. Trunk infrastructure means the big shared stuff main water pipes, sewer mains, major roads, stormwater networks, and land for parks and community facilities not the connections right at your front gate.

It does three big things:

• Identifies the Priority Infrastructure Area (PIA) the zones where council will prioritise delivering that infrastructure over the next 10–15 years.
• Sets desired standards of service for each network so everyone knows what “good enough” looks like.
• Creates a transparent, equitable way to charge new development for its fair share of those costs.

Under the Planning Act 2016 the formal name shifted toward Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) in many schemes, but “PIP” remains the everyday term and is still used in planning documents and conversations.

Core Components of Every PIP

Component	What It Covers	Why It Matters in 2026
Planning Assumptions	Projected dwellings, floor space, population growth	Ensures the plan matches real demand
Priority Infrastructure Area (PIA)	10–15 year growth zone	Focuses investment where it’s needed most
Desired Standards of Service	Performance targets for each network	Stops under-delivery or gold-plating
Plans for Trunk Infrastructure	Maps of existing + planned pipes, roads, parks	Gives certainty to developers and buyers
Infrastructure Charges	Levies new development pays	Funds the works without burdening ratepayers

How the Priority Infrastructure Area (PIA) Shapes Where Growth Happens

The PIA is the geographic heart of the plan. Inside it, council commits to delivering trunk infrastructure in a sequenced, cost-effective way. Outside it, you’re on your own for many services or face higher costs and longer delays.

This isn’t about stopping growth it’s about sequencing it so roads don’t clog and pipes don’t run dry. In 2026 most councils have refined their PIAs to align with state housing targets while protecting flood-prone or high-value agricultural land.

The Five Trunk Infrastructure Networks Explained

1. Water Supply – Main reticulation, reservoirs, treatment upgrades.
2. Sewerage – Trunk mains, pump stations, treatment plants.
3. Transport – Arterial and sub-arterial roads, public transport corridors.
4. Stormwater – Major drainage networks and detention basins.
5. Parks & Community Facilities – Land for local and district parks, sometimes community centres.

Each network has its own desired standard of service written into the PIP things like minimum water pressure, fire-flow requirements, or hectares of parkland per 1,000 residents.

How Infrastructure Charges Work in Practice

New development pays an adopted charge based on the extra demand it creates. The formula is transparent: council calculates the total cost of planned trunk works, subtracts any grants or existing contributions, then apportions the remainder across expected new dwellings or floor space.

Typical 2026 Charge Ranges (varies by council and location)

• Residential lot: $15,000–$45,000 depending on location and network demands
• Unit/townhouse: lower per dwelling but still significant
• Commercial/industrial: based on floor area or trip generation

These charges are indexed annually and must be spent on the works identified in the PIP no slush fund.

Myth vs Fact

Myth: The PIP is just a way for councils to squeeze more money out of developers.

Fact: It replaces ad-hoc negotiations with predictable, capped charges and guarantees the infrastructure will actually be delivered when needed.

Myth: If my land is outside the PIA I can never develop it.

Fact: You can but you’ll likely pay for your own trunk-level infrastructure or wait longer for council to extend services.

Myth: PIP charges disappear once you pay them.

Fact: They fund trunk works only; you still pay for internal site services, headworks contributions in some cases, and ongoing rates.

From the Trenches: What Developers and Planners See in 2026

After years working with councils on scheme updates and major master-planned communities, the biggest mistake I see is treating the PIP as an afterthought. Smart teams pull the latest adopted PIP before even sketching a subdivision. They model charges early, check PIA boundaries, and factor in the desired standards so their designs align instead of fighting them later.

The payoff? Faster approvals, fewer conditions, and buyers who know the roads and pipes will actually work when they move in. In 2026, with housing supply still a state priority, councils that keep their PIPs up to date are seeing smoother delivery and fewer disputes.

FAQs

What is the difference between a PIP and an LGIP?

They’re essentially the same thing. LGIP is the term used in newer planning schemes under the 2016 Act, while PIP is the older shorthand still used everywhere. Both do the same job plan trunk infrastructure and set charges.

Does every Queensland council have a Priority Infrastructure Plan?

High-growth councils are required to have one. Smaller or low-growth councils may use alternative approaches, but most major areas (SEQ, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, etc.) have active PIPs or LGIPs.

Can I get a refund or credit if I pay the charge but the infrastructure is delayed? Councils must refund or credit unused portions in certain circumstances, but the PIP itself includes timing assumptions. Check the specific scheme’s refund policy.

How do I find my local council’s current PIP?

Go to the council website Planning Scheme Priority Infrastructure Plan or LGIP section. Most publish the full document, maps, and charge rates online and update them regularly.

Will the PIP affect my building approval or subdivision?

Yes your application will be assessed against it. If your site is in the PIA and you pay the charge, you’re contributing to the planned works. Outside the PIA you may need extra justification or works.

Are charges the same everywhere? No. They vary significantly between councils and even within a council’s area based on which networks need the most investment.

CONCLUSION

The Priority Infrastructure Plan isn’t bureaucracy it’s the mechanism that turns “we need more housing” into actual houses with working roads, water, and parks. In 2026 it remains one of the clearest tools Queensland has for sequenced, funded growth that doesn’t leave existing ratepayers footing the bill.

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Melanie Zanona delivering crisp, no-nonsense Capitol Hill reporting on NBC News and you wonder: who’s the person at home who hears the unfiltered version after the cameras stop rolling? In a town where political reporters live in the spotlight, Melanie has drawn a deliberate line around her personal life.

Yet the curiosity is understandable. She’s one of the most trusted congressional correspondents in Washington, and that kind of steady presence usually comes with serious support at home. Her husband, Jason Robert Millison, is the steady force who’s been by her side since they were Chicago teenagers. This isn’t tabloid gossip this is the real story of a partnership that started in high school hallways and has quietly thrived through two decades of high-pressure journalism and D.C. life.

The Love Story: Chicago Roots and High-School Sweethearts Who Actually Lasted

Melanie Zanona grew up in the Chicago area, graduated from the University of Illinois, and built a career covering House leadership, then Congress for Politico, before landing at NBC News as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. Jason Robert Millison shares those same Midwest roots. They met in high school, dated through college, and turned that teenage connection into a marriage that has now lasted over twelve years.

On July 20, 2013, they exchanged vows in a private ceremony surrounded by close friends and family. No flashy destination wedding, no public social-media blitz just two people who understood each other’s drive from the start.

Key Relationship Timeline

• High school – First meeting in Chicago suburbs
• College years – Long-distance support while Melanie attended U of I
• July 20, 2013 – Private wedding ceremony
• 2010s–2026 – Jason builds communications and podcast career while Melanie rises in national political reporting

They’ve kept the details of their home life out of the public eye no joint red-carpet appearances, no family photos splashed across feeds. That choice isn’t accidental; it’s strategic.

Who Is Jason Robert Millison? The Man Behind the Reporter

Jason Robert Millison (often referred to simply as Jason Robert in profiles) is a Chicago-born communications and media professional. He spent time as an account executive with the Washington Nationals, handling group sales, fan engagement, and community programs work that blended his love of sports with sharp people skills.

Today he co-hosts The Gray Area podcast, which dives into stories of justice, redemption, and the gray zones most people navigate in life. It’s thoughtful, narrative-driven work that complements Melanie’s fast-paced political beat without competing with it.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Melanie & Jason’s Professional Worlds

Aspect	Melanie Zanona	Jason Robert Millison
Primary Field	Political journalism (Capitol Hill)	Communications, media, podcasting
Current Role	NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent	Co-host of The Gray Area podcast
Past Experience	Politico, The Hill, CQ Roll Call	Washington Nationals account executive
Public Profile	High-visibility national TV	Deliberately low-key
Shared Chicago DNA	Yes	Yes

Both understand deadlines, both value clear storytelling, and both seem to respect the need for downtime when the other is in the trenches.

Myth vs Fact: Clearing Up the Rumors

Myth: Melanie Zanona hides her marriage because there’s drama.

Fact: She simply values privacy. In an era where every personal detail goes viral, choosing quiet strength is its own statement.

Myth: Jason is “just a sports guy” with no media experience.

Fact: His podcast work and communications background show a thoughtful media professional who happens to stay off-camera.

Myth: They have a picture-perfect, constantly documented life.

Fact: They have a real, grounded partnership with a dog named Bodie, Italian cooking nights, and Chicago sports fandom none of which they feel the need to broadcast.

Years Covering D.C. Journalism: Why This Partnership Works

Having tracked political reporters for more than a decade, the pattern is clear: the ones who last in this grind usually have a rock-solid home base. Melanie and Jason nailed that early. Jason’s background in fan engagement and public affairs means he gets the performative side of Washington without being consumed by it. He gives Melanie space to chase stories on the Hill while anchoring the personal side of life in a city that never sleeps.

The common mistake many journalist couples make? Trying to outshine each other publicly. These two never did. They built something quieter and, from the outside, more sustainable.

FAQs

Who is Melanie Zanona’s husband? Jason Robert Millison, a Chicago native and media/communications professional. He co-hosts The Gray Area podcast and previously worked with the Washington Nationals in fan engagement and sales.

When did Melanie Zanona get married? July 20, 2013. The couple were high-school sweethearts who dated through college before tying the knot in a private ceremony.

Does Melanie Zanona have children? She and Jason keep family details completely private. No public information about children has been shared, and they appear to prefer it that way.

What does Jason Robert Millison do for a living? He works in communications and public engagement. His most visible role is co-hosting The Gray Area podcast, which explores justice, redemption, and real-life gray areas.

Are Melanie Zanona and her husband still together in 2026? Yes. No credible reports of separation or divorce have ever surfaced. They continue to maintain a strong, low-profile partnership.

Why doesn’t Melanie talk about her husband publicly? It’s a deliberate choice shared by many top reporters who want to keep work and home life separate. In the hyper-connected world of political media, that boundary is rare and respected.

CONCLUSION

Melanie Zanona built her reputation on facts, fairness, and relentless reporting from the halls of Congress. Jason Robert Millison built his on thoughtful storytelling and behind-the-scenes support. Together they show that you can have big careers in media without turning your personal life into content.

In 2026, with political coverage more intense than ever, that kind of steady foundation matters. They prove you don’t need to share every detail to have a story worth admiring.

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