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Knox County Park District

Knox On The Outside

Late in June, KCPD closed on several parcels of Kokosing River floodplain, totaling 102 acres.   With more than a mile of Kokosing River riparian area protected as a result of the acquisition, KCPD is fulfilling its mission to conserve natural features on the Knox County landscape.  The Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Public Works Commission provided funding for this important acquisition.  Future plans for the area include restoration of wooded, riparian habitat, enhancement of existing low-quality wetlands and restoration of wildlife habitat for upland bird populations.  KCPD will likely partner with the Knox Chapter of Pheasants Forever on the site, owing to our shared mission of habitat restoration   and consumptive use recreation.

KCPD Acquires Bat Nest Road River Access, Habitat Planning Commences

Volume 1, Issue 5 July 07

July is “Recreation and Parks Month!”

Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has designated the month of July as Recreation and Parks Month.   Research shows that nationwide, more than 75% of the population takes advantage of their local parks and recreation facilities—this amounts to a staggering 192 million people visiting annually. 

As part of this year’s celebration, the Knox County Commissioners signed a resolution of support for Recreation and Parks Month.  KCPD appreciates the County Commissioners support of outdoor recreation and parks in Knox County, as well as the financial support  received from the Commissioners.  An excerpt from the signed resolution reads:

Summer is in full swing, and  the Mohican and Kokosing river levels are adequate for a float trip. This issue of Knox On The Outside features upcoming KCPD-led programs and status updates on projects of interest.

Cottontail rabbit nest

Here are updates with regards to the Knox County trail system:

Kokosing Gap Trail:  A bio-based “green” sealant product was applied to the entire trail in June.  The sealant, which is 75% agricultural-based and reduces water permeability by over 95%, serves as a superior alternative to traditional, petroleum-based products. 

KCPD and the Gap Trail group recently partnered to order a new four foot wide welcome sign for the trail that will be installed at the Danville terminus of the trail.  The sign will further enhance the pending park amenities (shelter, drinking water, parking lot improvements) proposed by Mayor Bob Dile and the Village of Danville.

The American Council of the Blind of Ohio, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and equality of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired, is hosting a tandem rally-fundraiser on September 16th.  There will be three routes to choose (15, 30 or 65 miles), each starting and ending on the Kokosing Gap Trail.  The proceeds from this ride will help fund a family seminar for families of children who are blind. 

Ways to Participate:

· Bring your tandem and your stoker and enjoy a beautiful ride.

· Bring your tandem and meet your stoker for the day, who might be visually impaired.  Many blind folks love to ride, but they need a captain and/or a bike.

· Volunteer for transportation, registration and/or food stops, or donate prizes to promote your business.

Registration Donation--$50 or more, per rider. Contact Mary Hiland at mary.hiland@sbcglobal.net or 800-835-2226 to request registration forms. 

Mohican Valley Trail: Maintenance activities are on-going on the trail, and the information kiosk at the Danville terminus has been upgraded with the new Mohican Valley Trail map and KCPD parks map.  The Ridgeway family, long-time Mohican Valley Trail volunteers, installed needed horse hitching rails at the Bridge of Dreams.  The Ridgeway family recycled metal pipes from an original railroad bridge, thereby re-using materials (eco-friendly) of an historic nature.  An article regarding the trail can be viewed at: www.mountvernonnews.com/local/07/06/20/mohican.valley.trail.html .

Heart of Ohio Trail: Heart of Ohio Trail (HOOT) volunteers spent June busily erecting signage, provided by the Knox County Commissioners, regarding the ban on all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the trail.  HOOT members have agreed to meet on the first Sunday of the month (3pm, Memorial Park in Centerburg) to monitor the trail, pick up litter and perform maintenance.

Ohio to Erie Trail: The American Cancer Society will host its inaugural Pan Ohio Hope Ride, a Cleveland to Cincinnati bicycle tour that will raise awareness and funds for its Hope Lodges in the two cities. The four-day, noncompetitive, multistage tour will start at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland on August 9 and finish at Yeatman's Cove on the Cincinnati riverfront on August 12. The Knox County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will welcome bicyclists who are taking part in the ride through Knox County to the Dan Emmett Music and Arts Festival on August 10th.

The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund continues to map the trail, which will eventually include digital mapping using Google Earth.  The trail mapping team, sponsored by Waste Management, biked the trail through Knox County on June 6th.  Special thanks to the Mohican Valley and HOOT trail group members who welcomed the team to Knox County.  Also, thanks goes to Pat Crow of the Knox Convention and Visitors Bureau for assisting with trail mapping.  Visit www.knoxcountyparks.org/ohio%20erie.htm for more information regarding the event.

Kokosing River Water Trail: Doug McLarnan of KCPD recently constructed a new parking lot at the Kokosing Gap Canoe Access site.  Rotary volunteers continue to make progress regarding picnic shelter construction at Big Run Road Access.  The water trail continues to attract users from all over Ohio, including a fly-fishing group from Hamilton County and canoeists from Pickaway and Franklin counties.  Local campgrounds and hotels, gas stations and restaurants benefit from water trail users, which in turn, helps our local economy.  A water trail clean-up was held the morning of the Kokosing Scenic River Day event to remove litter and debris.  The Order of the Arrow boy scout troop assisted in the clean up.  Special thanks to Linda Montgomery of the Knox Litter Prevention and Recycling Office for clean up assistance and for arranging placement of a trash dumpster at the end of the trip.

The Knox County Fair (July 22-30) serves as an important venue for sharing KCPD’s mission.  The park district asks for your help, informing the public about the benefits of recreation and conservation of natural resources in Knox County.  Additionally, the trail groups of Knox County will share booth space with us, to promote our wonderful trail system and the respective volunteer trail groups.  Who doesn’t love a county fair?  Come join KCPD and the trail groups and meet new folks for whom you have much in common.  Call the park district at 740/392-7275 to volunteer.

Knox County Fair—Seeking Volunteers!

Take a two-mile canoe float on the Mohican State Scenic River led by a stream biologist and learn about aquatic life in the river, including rare mussels (clams). Dress appropriate for the weather and getting wet! Canoes provided free of charge. Meet at 2pm on August 19th at Mohican Wilderness Campground. DIRECTIONS: Go to Danville, north on SR 205 (north) to SR 514 (north) to Greer, turn left (north) on Wally Road (2.5 miles) to the campground.

The Friends of the Park District is a group dedicated to sustaining the KCPD long-term.  Special thanks goes to the Gibson family for their recent, generous donation to the Friends group.  Call (740) 397-7954 or send an email to fbaldesc@columbus.rr.com to join.  The Friends of the Knox Park District also accepts cash donations, which are tax-deductible.

To remove your name from our mailing list, or if you have questions or comments, E-mail us at info@knoxcountyparks.org or call 740/392-7275

KCPD on the web: http://www.knoxcountyparks.org

Due to an increase in email/spam filters, we ask that you add these email addresses to your email address book to ensure that our newsletter reaches you appropriately:

info@knoxcountyparks.org

kimmarshall@co.knox.oh.us

KCPD Board Commissioners:  Dave Beck, Mark Bennett, Susan Ramser

KCPD Director:  Kim Marshall

The Father’s Day Family Regatta, sponsored by Rotary and Kiwanis, at Foundation Park was attended by approximately 650 participants.  KCPD managed the fishing area with Division of Wildlife.  A Mount Vernon News article concerning the event can be viewed at:  www.mountvernonnews.com/local/07/06/18/regatta.html .

Father’s Day Family Regatta a Hit, Junior Anglers Successful

Visitors to Wolf Run will likely notice several new improvements to the park.  A new port-o-let has been placed near the trailhead for users.  Additionally, parking lot improvements will increase the parking capacity of the park, necessary for popular programs and upcoming park amenity development.

Flower Power!

KCPD parks and access sites are blooming, thanks to a generous donation of native perennial plants by our friends at Windy Hill Nursery and Gardens of Gambier.

Scavenger Hunt! at Wolf Run Regional Park

Are you a junior ranger in training? Visit Wolf Run Regional Park and find all the items listed in our new Scavenger Hunt! flyer to earn your Knox County Park District Junior Ranger Certificate of Achievement!  The flyer can be found at the information kiosk near  the  trailhead at the Wolf Run parking lot, or on the KCPD website at: www.knoxcountyparks.org/scavenger.htm .

Cub scout pack volunteers at Wolf Run Regional Park