Get Out and Explore Your...

Knox County Park District

Knox On The Outside

Vol. 2, Issue 4 April 08

The Knox County Park District staff invites you to shake off winter and enjoy your Knox County Parks.  American woodcocks are now singing and can be heard at dusk in shrubby habitat and old fields.  Click to listen to the sound of the American woodcock.

Here are the latest updates on our special trail system:

Mohican Valley Trail: Maintenance activities after the long winter are commencing.  A small sinkhole on the trail east of Buckeye Road was fixed.  Plans are underway to construct an information kiosk at the Bridge of Dreams parking lot.

Heart of Ohio Trail: Coaches restaurant in Centerburg, long supporters of the Heart of Ohio Trail Association, announced the hosting of a golf event fundraiser on June 8th at Wyandot Golf Course for the Heart of Ohio Trail.  More details will follow in subsequent newsletters.  A trail walk will occur at 2pm on May 4th with Knox County Commissioner, Tom McLarnan.  Concurrently, a trail ride will occur for horse enthusiasts at Thayer Road.

Kokosing Trail:  Gap trail volunteers are planning for replacement of two drinking fountains along the trail.  Planning for upgrades to the caboose in Gambier has commenced, and the Gap Trail will be featured on the annual Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) in June.  Thousands of riders will descend upon Knox County between June 16th and 18th as part of the 20th anniversary ride of GOBA.  The tour starts in Wellington and ends in Orville, Ohio.

Kokosing Water Trail:  A new kiosk is set for construction at the Lower Gambier Road access site.  Intrepid paddlers are itching to get back in the water.  Remember to prepare for cold water temperatures by reviewing cold-weather boating suggestions and paddling safety tips.

The Friends of the Park District is a group dedicated to sustaining the KCPD long-term.  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, Keith Plocki, Susan Ramser

KCPD Director:  Kim Marshall

American Woodcock

Photo by USFWS, Canaan Valley Nat’l Wildlife Refuge, WVa

Tree Tales, “Wood” You Believe?

The Ohio Odonata Society has scheduled the weekend of June 21-22, 2008 to perform a scientific survey and collecting expedition along the Kokosing River.  So what does an “Odonata” society study?  “Odonata” refers to an order of insects, commonly referred to as dragonflies and damselflies.  The term, “Odonata” comes from the Greek language and means  tooth; the mandibles of most adults contain strong teeth. Dragonflies and damselflies are among Ohio’s most efficient predators.  These gems of Ohio’s fauna are some of the largest and most spectacular members of our insect family.  Find out what’s in your backyard—to participate in the survey, contact Steve Chordas, Ph.D., at 614/421-7159.

The first settlers coming into the area now known as Knox County were confronted by a canopy of trees covering almost one hundred percent of the land.   Only a few areas were not covered by this dense canopy of forest.   To the first generation of settlers, the forest was both a physical and emotional obstacle to deal with if they wished to make the land they claimed into productive farms.    The Bicentennial Heritage Tree Program purpose is to seek out the remaining trees that were probably present when the first settlers occupied the county.    These trees witnessed historic events of our county and country, if only they could talk!  This article serves as part one of a two-part series on historic trees (and their stories) of Knox County.  Read more in next month’s Knox on the Outside.

Park District Received Large Rotary Grant

On March 25th, KCPD Director, Kim Marshall, gratefully accepted a large  grant of $2,500 from Tom Albaugh, President of the Rotary Club.  The monies will be used to enhance visitor experiences at Wolf Run Park and our dog park, which will be constructed in April.  The planting of shrubs, split-rail fencing, litter clean-up and bench placement will take place.  Volunteer to help our local Rotarians and Kiwanians April 26-27 (mornings) beautify Wolf Run Park!

In conjunction with the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, Knox County Health Department, Knox Community Hospital, Knox County OSU Extension Office and Kenyon College Wellness Initiative, the annual Earth Day Health Expo will take place on April 20th from noon until 4 pm at the Kenyon College athletic center. Exhibits, live animals, music, food and an earth day marathon will be featured.

In celebration of Arbor Day, join the Knox County Park District in honoring local property owners who care for the largest and oldest living residents in Knox County - TREES. Have your "burning" tree questions answered by district staff and tree experts. Program starts on April 25th at 4:30 pm at the Square in Mount Vernon.

Join Park District staff on May 4th (9am-noon) for our free fishing day event at the Knox County Park District's Wolf Run Park (Yauger Road, one mile east of Upper Gilchrist). Fish the Wolf Run lake for bluegills and large-mouth bass. Fishing equipment and bait are provided to participants.

Join Park District staff, ODNR Divisions and conservations organizations for this free fishing day event on May 3rd at Mount Vernon's Foundation Park. Fishing equipment and bait are provided to participants. Details forthcoming.