After nine decades, a popular outdoor recreation area in Columbiana County is being closed to the public.  

Beaverkettle Farms in the quiet village of Fredericktown is 4,000 acres of natural beauty around Little Beaver Creek.

One area where glaciers had exposed bedrock is called the Tubs and was popular for swimming and sunbathing.

The owners of Beaverkettle Farms had allowed free public access to the land using a pass card system., but in recent years too many people were ignoring the system and the rules.

"They were ignoring the pass system and the signs, and they were ignoring us a lot when we tried talked to them," said Farm Manager Gary Winterburn.

The rules prohibit food and drinks, dogs and motorized vehicles.

On Wednesday, about 100 people gathered at the farm for a nature hike that's held every year in May.

Winterburn says the hikers that come each year for the event respect and love the land, but there's that element that have disrespected it.

People were bringing dogs, leaving behind cans, bottles and trash, and ATVs were damaging the hiking trails.

The farms have been in the same family since 1927, and it lead to a very difficult decision for the owners.

"The family, after a lot of debate and deliberation have decided to close it to the public," Winterburn said.

Hikers, like Lana Vanauker, who was there with four generations of her family, say it's a shame that the actions of a few will ruin it for the rest.

"The majority of people that come here love the land, love the bird watching and the streams. It's absolutely fabulous," Vanauker said.

The farm will consider visits for private groups, but Winterburn says security will be increased and trespassers will be prosecuted.