COLUMBUS, OH – The lake level at Lake Milton State Park will be dropped in the coming weeks to allow construction of new docks, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The draw down will begin October 1 and should be complete by December 1.

Draw down is an annual activity at Lake Milton to protect private docks from ice damage, but it will start earlier this year because of construction activities. Lowering the water level will allow for the installation of new docks, which will be located at the north end of the beach area and adjacent to the amphitheater.

The construction of  24 new courtesy docks is scheduled to be complete for the 2011 season. Lake Milton already has 100 docks for seasonal rental; the new docks will be for short-term courtesy use only. The cost of the project is being funded by a $355,000 grant from ODNR’s Division of Watercraft.

Lake Milton is a 2,691-acre state park that, in addition to boating, features a variety of day-use amenities including fishing, hiking and swimming. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available. The park’s extensive trail system has been funded and constructed by a community-based volunteer friends group and the new large amphitheater was built by a second non-profit group.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Draw Down At Lake Milton ©, .

Taken Directly from the Mahoning River Consortium Newsletter and Website:

Special June Event: “31-mile Riverside Picnic Party”
When: June 12, 2010 (sunup to sundown).
Where: All along the Mahoning River!
What: The idea of this event is to get as many families, groups, and individuals of the Mahoning Valley as possible to picnic somewhere, anywhere, along the river on this day. The goal of the MRC’s is to get folks to see the beauty of the river, so they will want that beauty embellished by the cleaning of pollutants from the river bed. We would like canoers, kayakers and motor boaters to cruise the river that day; and hikers and runners to cruise the shoreline. We picked June 12 because that is the second ‘National Get Outdoors Day.’

National Get Outdoors Day:MRC Kayak, 31-Mile Picnic and Hike to PA ©, .

Just got back from Kayaking in Mill Creek Park With the Girls:

I know I say this is the first Podcast. I’ve got the PodPress Plugin up and running. That’s the embedded Player instead of Youtube. But I haven’t set up the RSS feed or iTunes yet.

Also, this video came out really short. Jamie was kind of embarrassed to be caught video taping this short paddle. I’ll get some video next week at the Venture Outdoors Fest in Pittsburgh and finish setting it up.

Kayaking Lake Newport: Mill Creek Park, May 16th ©, .

Mahoning County school 104th in the state; fifth in the county

POLAND, OH –  Poland North Elementary School was dedicated on May 6, 2010 as an official WILD School Site according to ODNR Division of Wildlife. The school is the 104th site dedicated in Ohio. The school celebrated during a small ceremony for the students and staff.

Only the fifth school to be dedicated in Mahoning County, Poland North has performed many projects to learn about and benefit from wildlife and the environment while enhancing habitat for wildlife in the school’s enclosed courtyard. Projects include: erecting bird feeding stations and working in their on-site greenhouse to produce flowers for the school property. A beautiful pond structure with a small waterfall was recently installed by PondScape of Youngstown. Students who attended ceremony helped release fish into the water feature. Wildlife that benefits includes countless migratory birds and a variety of reptiles and amphibians, just to name a few.

Poland North is also a 2010 WILD School Sites grant recipient. Only 40 grants of $500 each are distributed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife each year. The grant funding will help Poland North to further enhance the pond feature as well as provide additional habitat enhancement for wildlife on the school grounds. Follow Principal Masucci’s school blog by visiting www.poland.k12.oh.us/North

The WILD School Sites program is considered an action extension of the national Project WILD program. Any school property used by students, teachers, and the school community as a place to learn about and benefit from wildlife and the environment can be certified. The sites function within the premise that every school, regardless of size and location, can provide outdoor educational opportunities that can and should be part of an integrated environmental education program. WILD School Sites that demonstrate program development and site enhancement consistent with the premises outlined in this program are eligible for certification as an official Ohio WILD School Site.

For information on WILD School Sites, Project WILD, and grants click here or call 1-800-WILDLIFE to be connected with your District Office.

Poland North Elem. Newest ‘Wild School” Site ©, .

COLUMBUS, OH – Mosquito Lake State Park received the Ohio State Parks 2009 “Team Of The Year Award” for the staff’s efforts to build a new community dog park, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Park employees, along with park volunteers and staff from Trumbull County Metro Parks, transformed a little-used, overgrown picnic area on the shore of Mosquito Lake into a recreation area especially for dogs.  The new 5-acre dog park includes a 3-acre fenced play area for large dogs, a 2-acre fenced section for small dogs and a dog beach.  The “Cooperation Station” dog park was officially dedicated on July 17, 2009.

“This great community facility is a wonderful example of the improvements our parks keep making through teamwork, partnership and innovation,” said John Hunter, acting chief of Ohio State Parks.

In addition to the dog park, pet-friendly facilities at Mosquito Lake include 7 miles of trails that are open to pets on leashes.  The park’s campground offers 234 campsites, half of which allow pets.

Additional park facilities include 15 miles of mountain biking trails, 10 miles of bridle trails, a public swimming beach, and a marina, launch ramps and rental docks on the 4,000-acre lake.  Two yurts are offered for nightly rental at the campground, and can be reserved by calling 1-866-OHIOPARKS or on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com.

Mosquito Creek Park ODNR “Team of the Year” for Dog Park Efforts ©, .