Northeast Ohio Outdoors

Shawnee Trails Reopen After Fire

By Lou Yuhasz on June 20th, 2009

PORTSMOUTH, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry is announcing the re-opening of recreation trails at Shawnee State Forest.  Portions of the backpack trails and bridle trails were closed due to the large wildfire in April of this year.

“I am pleased to announce that all recreation trails at Shawnee State Forest are now open,” said Shawnee State Forest Manager Nathan Jester.  “The Division of Forestry also wishes to thank the National Wild Turkey Federation — Ohio State Chapter, the Ruffed Grouse Society — Gilbert R. Symons Chapter, and the ODNR Division of Wildlife for their donations of wildlife seed mixtures that have been used to rehabilitate areas of the forest impacted by the April wildfire.”

Division of Forestry crews cleared debris, graded soil, and established water control diversions on the portions of trails which were used in April for wildfire control lines.  All trails south and west of state route 125 were closed while ODNR, volunteer fire department, and other agency firefighters battled the 2850 acre wildfire.  The trails remained closed for public safety as well as during the wet spring which slowed rehabilitation efforts. Some sections of trail were re-routed to improve user safety.
Shawnee State Forest offers sixty miles of backpack trails with seven primitive backpacker camp sites, and seventy miles of bridle trails and a fifty eight site horse camp.

Ohio’s twenty state forests are managed sustainably for renewable sources of timber, to demonstrate good forest management, and to provide opportunities for forest research while furnishing wildlife habitat, clean water, clean air, and recreational enjoyment.

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.

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