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Knox County Park District

Knox On The Outside

Thanks to a generous donation by the Plocki family, a fund, known as the Knox County Parks Fund, has been established at the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County.  The Knox County Parks Fund, as part of the Community Foundation, serves as a vehicle for use by the Knox County Park District to strategically acquire and improve parks and natural areas.  This needed funding will allow the park district to continue projects and programs that will insure our quality of life.

Clean, safe, natural parks and bikeways are a source of great community pride in Knox County.  Parks and recreational trails provide beauty and enjoyment for visitors here in the county all seasons of the year.

Public budgets can’t always stretch enough to cover all the desirable improvements for parks and recreation services.  Cash (Visa or MasterCard welcomed) gifts to the Fund are quite helpful, as are other contributions:

· Bequests: Estate planning/wills can include the Knox Parks Fund as a beneficiary.

· Stock: A transfer fund for gifts of stock is available locally.

· Memorials: Gifts for loved ones may be set up for project and programs matched with the donor’s wishes.

· Real Property: The value of items such as land, artwork, antiques and other treasures can be exchanged for proceeds to directly help the parks.

The Community Foundation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service for tax exempt purposes, and funds are managed locally. Contact Mr. Sam Barone at 740/392-3270 or via email at sbarone@mvkcfoundation.org for more information.

Rotary Builds New Shelter

Vol. 1, Issue 8 October 07

October brings a brilliant color change across the landscape. This issue of Knox On The Outside features status updates on projects of interest.

Join local history buff David Greer on a strenuous hike to the Devil’s Backbone in Jefferson Township on October 14. Dress appropriate for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at 2 pm.

DIRECTIONS: Meet at corner of SR 514 and Turkey Ridge Road. (From Danville take SR 205 (north) to SR. 514 (north) to Turkey Ridge Road (right).

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

Kokosing Gap Trail: Gap trail volunteers have decided to purchase new fountains for the Gambier and Howard staging areas of the trail.  These fountains will be installed next year.  A new bench, donated by the Thom Collier family, was installed.  The park district is working with a committee of interested agencies and parties with regard to linking the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail with downtown Mount Vernon.  The City of Mount Vernon, Kokosing Gap and Heart of Ohio Trail volunteers, Knox Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Heritage Center attended the first meeting of this group on September 1st.    

Mohican Valley Trail: The Knox County Commissioners recently paved (chip and seal) the Bridge of Dreams parking lot.  Visitors will now enjoy a paved surface from the parking lot to US 62.  The Bridge of Dreams continues to serve as a tourist destination.  Visitors from California, Florida, England and the Netherlands enjoyed the bridge recently.  A visitor’s guest log, recently installed, showed many positive comments regarding the Mohican Valley Trail and Bridge of Dreams, with over 100 tourists visiting one weekend.  The Ohio Department of Transportation recently awarded a grant to the Holmes County Park District to construct a tunnel under US 62, which will link the Holmes County Trail with the Mohican Valley Trail at the Holmes-Knox line.

Heart of Ohio Trail: Over 30 participants took part in the 15th annual 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, September 15 on the HOOT.  The Ohio Department of Transportation recently announced that an ODOT transportation enhancement grant for tunnel construction under US 36 and paving from Bishop to Updike was awarded ($1.76 million).  The monies will be available in calendar year 2008.  Congratulations are extended to the Knox County Commissioners for their successful submittal of the grant application.

Kokosing River Water Trail: Visitors continue to enjoy the water trail, and the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance will host a fishing event on the river the first Saturday of October.  For information, contact Mike Merz at 614/579-5268 or bmerz79@yahoo.com. 

The Wolf Run Park Archery Program will commence October 1. Archery enthusiasts, by permit only, will be assisting the Park District with deer herd management. Archery participants will be able to use Wolf Run Regional Park on weekdays only. Archery hunters are not allowed to pursue their sport during weekends or in Knox Woods Preserve. Call the Park District at 740/392-PARK for more information. All participants must demonstrate proficiency in archery safety and must possess a valid hunting license and deer permit from the Ohio Division of Wildlife.  Bat Nest River Access, adjacent to State Route 715 along the Knox and Coshocton county line, is open to all hunting pursuits.  This 102 acre property consists of agricultural fields, the Kokosing River and some shrub habitat.

Wolf Run Archery Program Commences 10/07

More than 4,000 children and their families fished and enjoyed activities and  games at the Family Fun Days event. Knox County Park District staff assisted the United Way of Knox County with this popular event on September 23rd.

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

A 12x24 picnic shelter was recently constructed by Rotary Club of Mount Vernon at Big Run Access on the Kokosing. View photos of the shelter here.  Club members donated many evenings and approximately $2,200 to make the shelter a reality.  No reservations are necessary to use the shelter, which includes picnic tables. 

What's missing from the site? A picnic grill. The park district is asking for donations to purchase a picnic grill for the site. Approximately $200.00 in donations will allow us to purchase a grill for the public's use. Contact us at 740/392-PARK if you or your organization would like to make a donation.

Rotarians Donate Time & Dollars to Park District for Picnic Shelter

Knox County Parks Fund Established

KCPD and the Humane Society of Knox County invite you (and your pet) to participate in the 4th Annual Walk for the Animals, held at Wolf Run Regional Park on October 6. Walk with your family, friends and dog to help improve the lives of animals by raising money for the Humane Society. Registration starts at 11:30am with the walk commencing at noon. Vendors will be set up in the parking lot. Visit the Humane Society's website for registration information.

Habitat Along the Kokosing River Water Trail