Hocking Hills State Park
January 14, 2010 Print
Thanks for coming out today, this is one of my favorite hikes and this is one of our best, longest-lasting traditions. (introduce self/family)
(To parents) How many of you remember going to the parks when you were kids? And now you're back. That's how it works. Most of us, I imagine, ask what we can do to make sure that our parks, and mornings like this, will always be around. I believe that you start by doing exactly what you're doing. Get active and get outside. It may seem simple, and it is.
Remember that no one will fight to protect what they do not know. The more you get to know Ohio, the more likely you will step up and make sure that our parks will always be here.
(To kids) All we ask is that you have fun, try to learn a little, (but not too much), and if you have fun, that you promise to come back.
The best way to understand the things you'll see today is to remember that everything around you is connected to everything else. The rocks are shaped by the water, the water brings the plants to life, the plants feed the animals. When you help any one of them, even a little, you help them all.
And if you wonder how we save these beautiful places... it's really pretty simple, we do it the same way Tinkerbell was brought to life in Peter Pan, by enough people wanting it to happen. You are already doing your part just by being here, and wanting it to happen, and I want to thank you for that.
And (to all of you), if you get a minute, thank one of the parks staff folks here (point out by name). All across the country, states are closing parks. In Ohio, the reason we haven't had to is because of the work the staff does every day. Also, Ohio is one of only seven states that has kept its parks open and free to all of us. Ohio has the best parks staff in the country, and they are the reason we are able to be here today.
Thank you again for coming.