Guests at the Cannaley Treehouse Village at Oak Openings Preserve will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience, down to the smallest detail. Some of those details are being hammered out -- literally -- 10 miles away in the historic Isaac Ludwig Mill at Providence Metropark.

That's where volunteer blacksmith Carolyn Powers is forging and welding door, drawer and cabinet hardware to fit the theme of each treehouse. Handles and pulls in shapes such as bicycle chains, leaves, snakes, tree branches and rope will be among the custom touches that make each treehouse unique.

"No two pieces are identical," said Carolyn, a lieutenant with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, who has spent up to three hours crafting one piece.

Other volunteers have contributed to the project by making signs (see below) and helping to re-purpose wood from a barn they helped demolished.

The Treehouse Village, currently under construction at the Beach Ridge Area of Oak Openings, will open in mid-May.
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Photo by Art Weber / Metroparks