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Knox County Park District

Knox On The Outside

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Going Green

Vol. 1, Issue 6 August 07

Summer is sizzling, and going “green” is all the rage. This issue of Knox On The Outside features upcoming KCPD-led programs and status updates on projects of interest.

A recently emerged dragonfly

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

Kokosing Gap Trail:  Over the past month, several trees have been removed from the trail that posed a safety hazard to participants.  A new map and instructions have been posted at the Kokosing Gap Trail (Danville terminus) and the Mohican Valley Trail (Danville terminus) to aid users in negotiating Danville streets between the two trails.  This information will serve to better link the two trails in 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 KCPD staff are busy staining the fencing along the trail to improve appearances.  Users will notice new perennial plants recently installed at the Danville terminus and Bridge of Dreams.  Also, the Mohican Valley Trail made the cover of the Ohio to Erie Trail Fund’s spring newsletter! 

Heart of Ohio Trail: Heart of Ohio Trail (HOOT) volunteers will convene at 1pm on August 5th to pick up litter and debris on the trail near Mount Liberty at Simmons Church Road.  Come out and volunteer for a few hours to help make this trail a reality!

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, multi-stage 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.  Danville businesses will also welcome the riders.

Kokosing River Water Trail: Kokosing water levels continue to be seasonally low, although recent rain events will allow kayakers to enjoy the river, particularly the lower stretches.   The lower portions of the Mohican River can be floated with canoes or kayaks, as an alternative.

The popular Dan Emmett Folk Festival (August 9-12) 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, at our booth.  The trail groups of Knox County will share booth space with us, to promote our wonderful trail system and the respective volunteer trail groups.  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 or email us at: info@knoxcountyparks.org.

Dan Emmett Folk Festival—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.  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

Flower Power

Special thanks goes to Baker’s Acres Greenhouse of Alexandria for providing tropical plants for our Knox County Fair booth  and donations of perennial flowers for KCPD access sites.

Hundreds of Visitors Enjoy KCPD at the Fair

The KCPD and trail groups booth at the Knox County Fair was heavily visited.  Many Knox County residents left the booth with brochures and information, ready to hike, bike and paddle their way to adventure in Knox County.  Kids and adults alike enjoyed the mammal pelts and bird skulls on display.  A special thanks goes to the following individuals who volunteered their time at the booth:  Linda Mazza, Mary Ridgeway, Ron Doup, Dave Beck, Sandra Dove, Kerry Griffith, Jane Smithson, Shalimar Harris Long, John Marshall, Doug McLarnan, Susan Ramser, John and Anna Aebi, Mike Cassady, Tom Davis, Gloria Parsisson, Bill and Carolyn Crawford and Anna Mae Lockhart.

 4-H & Cub Scouts youngsters volunteer at Wolf Run Regional Park

WANTED—Large lawn/yard roller.  KCPD is in need of a large roller for trail maintenance.  Contact us at 740/392-7275 if you have one available.

Additional information on energy alternatives and ideas can be found on the web as well.

Many folks would like to lessen their “footprint,” or impact, on the planet, but aren’t sure how.  Here are some web sites to help you find ideas on “living a greener lifestyle.”