2013 Environmental Conservation Awards Dinner
Congratulations Environmental Conservation Heroes!
Over 300 individuals, businesses and organizations came together to celebrate our environmental conservation awardees and to raise over $20,000 in support of the Portage Park District.
SEE AWARD WINNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
The Portage Park District once again presents our popular “Wild Hikes Challenge,” a program designed to encourage healthy recreation in our parks and trails while showcasing Portage County’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Just walk, hike, skip, jog or run on the designated trails to earn your beautiful tag. Watch for more information this spring for the 2013 Wild Hikes Challenge!
Above, the 2012 medallion commemorating the Year of the Bat.
Please give us your support to help build and maintain a park system that will last for generations, yielding invaluable health, environmental and economic benefits — not to mention beautiful memories along the way.
2012 Headwaters Adventure Race is a WINNER!
Saturday, July 14th, 184 racers enjoyed great weather and great competitive fun!
Click on the photo or logo for more photos and information:
Stunning Berlin Lake Trail Open -- and it's a Hit!
The opening dedication on October 22nd was attended by over 50 people who had a chance to walk or ride the trail for the first time.
Park District Executive Director Christine Craycroft gave an overview of the trail development project and introduced State Representative Kathleen Clyde who spoke about the value of the Clean Ohio program and the importance of parks and trails to our communities for healthy recreation and for attracting and retaining residents and businesses. Tim Taylor, President of the Berlin Lake Association that spearheaded the trail, told of the organization’s fundraising work and plans to install benches, including one honoring the late Ed Egan who helped initiate the project. Deerfield Township Trustee Randy Wilburn expressed appreciation for the new park and its value to the local community.
The trail was initiated by the Berlin Lake Association back in 2006, when members with a vision for the future approached the Portage Park District to partner in its development. The Park District was granted a sublease on the trail from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, who leases the land from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Key to the project was receiving a Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant in the amount of $348,280, which was matched by several contributors, including the donated engineering services of Deerfield resident Terrence Hohnhorst, P.E., donated labor and materials from Deerfield Township, parking lots by ODOT, entrance gate donated by Atlas Energy, marker posts and side trails by Eagle Scout Alex Landgraf, sign work by park board members, and especially $40,000 of cash and volunteer support by the Berlin Lake Association. The general contractor is Workman Industrial Services with primary subcontractors H. Luli Construction, Great Northern Fence Co., Keith Misner Construction and Graphic Expressions --all Portage County businesses who did a terrific job.
The Berlin Lake Trail is open dawn to dusk, year round for walking, cycling, access to shore fishing and just enjoying nature. Motor vehicles are prohibited, except as permitted for handicapped accessibility.
C'mon! Take a hike on the "BLT"!
Portage County Racing Fun to Come in 2012 in the Crooked River Adventure Race Series!
Headwaters Adventure Race. Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon. Brady's Leap Adventure Race.
Sponsored by the Portage Park District Foundation. Watch for more information.
Kent State Students Partner in the Parks.
KSU Conservation Biology, Wetlands Ecology, Soils and Conservation of Natural Resources classes are getting a chance to apply their knowledge and skills with hands-on field experience while helping the Park District gain important information to assist with the property's long-term stewardship.
They're at the 504-acre Morgan Preserve in Shalersville Township,conducting inventories of stream life, invasive plants and deer, and will monitor the changes in different ecosystems over time.
Students find and document life in the stream for comparison before and after restoration.
Long term plots are established to monitor changes in vegetation over the years.
Due to funding limitations, the Morgan Preserve is only open for specially permitted purposes, including student research and occasional guided nature hikes.
Pitch In for Mother Earth!
These young volunteers made quite an impact in cleaning up Seneca Ponds Park in Streetsboro -- THANKS!
