Future of Ohio's beautiful parks not very bright

 

Editorial published Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Steve Pollick

 

The former Crane Creek State Park, which now is being managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for much-needed migratory bird habitat along western Lake Erie, is the poster child for a struggling state parks system in dire need of reliable, long-term funding.

 

The Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation, an arm of the state natural resources department, had to close the park officially this month as yet another cost-cutting measure.

 

 

Steve Pollick is The Blade's Outdoor Editor

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/COLUMNIST22/805200350/-1/SPORTS

 

I like the idea of a fee on cans and bottles to establish an alternate funding source.

 

Citizens need wild places to enjoy.  Young people can learn a life long appreciation for nature if they get to play outside in their "wonder years".  That will effect how they manage their lives on any matter concerning natural resources or the natural world.

That is a real shame, Crane Creek is a great park. Although last time I went the actual beach was overrun with dead zebra muscles and smelled terribly, I don't like swimming in the lake anyways so it didn't really bother me much in that sense. I really hope in the future they can expand the park system and get proper funding, there's a lot of potential I think.

 

One thing that I think is a little sad is how few people even know these parks exist. Last night I went to Pickerel Creek which is a park in Sandusky County along Sandusky bay, it's similiar to Magee Marsh, and every single time I've ever gone I've never seen more than one other car. It's a prime fishing, bird watching and sight seeing spot.

I really don't believe the gall ODNR has in using insurance settlement money from Vinton County to balance their statewide budget.  Here is the original story from the Thursday Dispatch and a follow-up article from Friday. 

 

ODNR uses insurance money from burned-out lodge to balance budget

Officials delay construction of new building at Lake Hope State Park

Thursday,  November 12, 2009

By Mary Beth Lane, The Columbus Dispatch

 

State officials are delaying construction of a new lodge at Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County because they dipped into a $5 million insurance settlement after the original lodge burned to balance the books at the Department of Natural Resources.  A fire in February 2006 destroyed the Lake Hope lodge.  The insurance settlement was reached in 2008.  In February, the state Controlling Board, a legislative financial-oversight panel that approves unbid contracts and other spending, released about $481,000 to pay RVC Architects Inc. of Athens for architectural and engineering work.  Construction was to begin in 2010.

 

Work had barely started when ODNR officials, in May or June, said to stop because of state budget issues, David Reiser, a principal in the RVC firm, said yesterday.  The sparsely populated, high-unemployment county in southeastern Ohio relies on tourism to bring in some money.  The dining lodge was a popular spot for meetings, weddings, anniversaries and family reunions.  "If this isn't illegal, it's certainly a very low act against the citizens of Vinton County -- taking the money away from the settlement and using it for other purposes," said Vinton County Commissioner Thomas Morgan.

 

Full story at http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/12/copy/lakehope.ART_ART_11-12-09_A1_4LFL83R.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

 

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ODNR DIRECTOR

Lodge money saved parks

Friday,  November 13, 2009

By Mary Beth Lane, The Columbus Dispatch

 

The director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the challenge of keeping parks open during the state budget crisis forced him to divert most of a $5 million insurance settlement intended to rebuild Lake Hope State Park's lodge after a fire destroyed the original one.  With $4 million of the $5 million settlement diverted to operating expenses, ODOR Director Sean Logan said he now plans to seek money next year from the state's biennial construction budget to build the lodge.  The new lodge likely will cost $3 million to $4 million and could be built in 2012, he said.  The diversion of the insurance money has outraged Vinton County officials and visitors to the park in southeastern Ohio, about 60 miles southeast of Columbus.  The landmark dining lodge overlooking Lake Hope, built in 1950 of native sandstone and timber, burned down in February 2006.

 

Full story at http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/13/copy/hopelodge.ART_ART_11-13-09_B1_ORFLI99.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

 

Ohio natural resources agency says proposed budget cuts could mean less safety at state parks

The Statehouse News Bureau | By Karen Kasler

Published May 23, 2023

 

"The busiest time of year for Ohio’s 75 state parks is approaching – summer. But the agency that operates them didn’t get a warm reception from the Ohio House, which voted to cut more than $55 million from the budget increase that Gov. Mike DeWine proposed.

 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Mary Mertz said most of the cuts will hit one particular area that visitors want most, according to state surveys.

 

“They want to feel welcome and they want to feel safe. And we hear comments from many people where they say, 'I never saw a ranger. Why did I go through that park and I never saw a ranger?'" Mertz said."

 

https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2023-05-23/ohio-natural-resources-agency-says-proposed-budget-cuts-could-mean-less-safety-at-state-parks

Ohio's 76th state park opens this week in Xenia

 

The State of Ohio and Xenia community will mark the official opening its newest state park this week.

 

Great Council State Park, Ohio's 76th state park, will open June 7 in Xenia, reports our partners at Dayton 24/7 Now.

 

Gov. Mike DeWine this week stopped by the park during a tour by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Great Council State Park has many features that highlight the history of Ohio's Native Peoples in the area.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2024/06/05/xenia-state-park-shawnee-tribe.html

 

Take an inside look at Ohio's newest state park, set to open this week

By Adriana Martinez-Smiley

Published June 5, 2024

 

Great Council State Park will be the newest state park in Ohio when it opens on Friday.

 

Not only is it the newest park, it’s also the only Ohio state park to be constructed and planned in collaboration with the three federally recognized Shawnee nations.

 

WYSO got a sneak peek into some features of the park, including the two-story Shawnee Cultural Center. The architecture of the center is inspired by an 18th century Shawnee council house.

 

https://www.ideastream.org/2024-06-05/take-an-inside-look-at-ohios-newest-state-park-set-to-open-this-week

For Immediate Release

September 4, 2024

 

ODNR Begins Construction of New Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area Visitor Center

 

MCCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for a new visitor center for the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area. The visitor center will serve as the gateway to the great outdoors, providing an education experience that celebrates southeast Ohio’s incredible wild spaces.

 

“Ohio’s Appalachian region is rich with natural beauty, history, and opportunity,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “A new visitor center will enhance what this area has to offer including a variety of outdoor activities for all Ohioans to enjoy.

 

The visitor center will be a two-story timber building boasting indoor and outdoor space for visitors. Inside, educational and interactive displays will highlight the history of the region. Floor-to-ceiling windows will showcase a spectacular view from atop the hillside. The outdoor spaces, a 360-degree scenic ramp and an observation deck, will be a highpoint for visitors observing wildlife.  
 
“One aspect of this visitor center that will be unique are the spectacular views,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Visitors will be able to see across the landscape and will be able to catch a glimpse of wildlife in their natural environment, including a herd of bison that we plan to introduce to a nearby site.”

 

Bison were native to Ohio but wiped out in the 1800s. The Appalachian Hills bison herd will represent Ohio’s wildlife history and the importance of conserving land and habitats to prevent other species from being eradicated or extinction.
 
Wild turkey and white-tailed deer hunting are among the region’s best prospects. Muskingum and Guernsey counties, two of the counties encompassing Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area, ranked in the top 10 statewide for deer harvest in the 2023-24 season. Muskingum County also ranked in the top 10 for wild turkey harvest in spring 2024.

 

“This facility will highlight the wildlife area’s important grassland, woodland, and aquatic habitats,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “This new space invites the public to enjoy the area’s beauty and explore further hunting, fishing, birding and trapping opportunities.” 
 
The Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area is unique as it surrounds and serves as a connection to Jesse Owens State Park. All these properties combined are approximately 60,000 acres of public land for visitors to explore.

 

Along with the new visitor center, there are several updates taking place that will benefit all three ODNR properties. Jesse Owens State Park will feature an updated campground with RV hook ups, new cabins, regional waterline installation, as well as a wastewater treatment plant. These upgrades, coordinated by the Division of Engineering, will allow for improved access and additional overnight stay opportunities for visitors.
 
“These projects are all about improving access and providing amenities for Ohioans,” said Division of Engineering Chief Jeremy Wenner. “We want people to enjoy these wonderful spaces and want to provide places and upgrades that make a day trip or even a weekend comfortable for anyone who wants to spend time at the park and wildlife areas.”

 

Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area contains 54,525 acres of land in Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum, and Noble counties.