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Knox County Park District

Knox On The Outside

Vol. 2, Issue 2 February 08

The Knox County Park District wishes you a Happy Groundhog Day and hopes that you and yours keep warm in the month of February.  Read about the folklore surrounding Groundhog Day. 

The winter brings a quiet stillness over our bike trails in Knox County.  But work is still progressing on several fronts, particularly the Heart of Ohio Trail:

Mohican Valley Trail: The Bridge of Dreams will be featured in mid-February in the Mount Vernon News special Knox bicentennial series detailing tall landmarks in the county. 

Heart of Ohio Trail: With the assistance of Richland Engineering of Mansfield and KCPD staff, the Knox County Board of Commissioners have submitted grant proposals to rehabilitate the two bridges nearest Mount Vernon and perform paving activities between North Clayton and Updike roads near Centerburg.  Join the Heart of Ohio Trail volunteer group at their annual fund raising event (see separate article in this newsletter).

Kokosing River Water Trail: KCPD has received news that the ODNR Division of Wildlife will partner to design and construct two interpretive panels at the Laymon Road and Big Run Road access points.  These panels will inform and educate users regarding sportfishing opportunities and stream ecology in the Kokosing River.  KCPD wishes to thank the ODNR Division of Wildlife for their continued support in our shared commitment of protection and recreational opportunity along the Kokosing River.  KCPD would also like to welcome Hector Santiago, the new Kokosing and Mohican scenic rivers coordinator at ODNR.

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

Honey Run Waterfall in winter splendor.

Photo by D. McLarnan

February 2nd ….Ground Hog Day—

An “Unearthing of the Facts”

Approximately 45 people braved damp weather to enjoy a hike to celebrate the new year.  Participants ranged in age from less than two to more than seventy, with all partaking in a bonfire and hot chocolate afterwards.  Special thanks to the Mount Vernon News (MVN) for providing media coverage of the event.  Click here to see video of the event, courtesy of MVN.

 

Soup’erbowl Event Planned by Heart of Ohio Trail volunteers

Meet Park District staff at the annual Soup'erbowl Event, sponsored by the Heart of Ohio Trail Association. Delicious hot soups and snacks, a raffle and of course, the Super Bowl, will be on tap. Location is Coaches in Centerburg. Event begins at 5:30pm. Proceeds (all you can eat, $10 minimum donation) go to the Heart of Ohio Trail Association. View the event flyer.

According to Wikipedia, an Internet resource, “In weather lore, if a groundhog...emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow, and the winter will continue for 6 more weeks.^”   Many states have their own venerable groundhog predictor, and Ohio is no different.  Ohio’s groundhog forecaster, “Buckeye Chuck,” predicted an early spring in 2007 and six more weeks of winter in 2006.  Groundhogs are quite common in Ohio and are known by several names, including “whistle pig” and “woodchuck.”  Groundhogs can be destructive when they excavate their dens under building foundations and farm/pasture fields.

Challenge Grant Issued—It’s Time for a Grilling!

As you are probably aware, KCPD has been seeking financial assistance to install a grill at our Big Run Road picnic shelter.  Ms. Sharon Cookman of Mount Vernon generously donated $50 towards the $150 needed for the grill. Sharon  challenges all users of KCPD parks and access areas to match her $50 donation to make this park amenity a reality by spring time!  Call the Park District at 740/392-7275 to donate.

Knox Chapter, Pheasants Forever Annual Banquet Held

The Knox Chapter of Pheasants Forever recently held their annual banquet at the Floral Valley Center in Apple Valley.  The Knox County Park District donated a framed duck stamp print to show our support for the local chapter.  Monies raised from raffles, games and auction enable the local chapter to improve and maintain wildlife habitat and youth hunting opportunities in Knox County.  Chapter President Stacey Sullins recently informed KCPD that the local chapter will be donating park benches to the park district this spring.  Thank you, Pheasants Forever!