FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2001

OHIO STATE PARKS TO OBSERVE EARTH WEEK
WITH DISCOUNTS AND EVENTS

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio State Parks will offer discounts of 31 percent on camping fees during Earth Week, April 22-29, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The discount reflects the 31st annual worldwide observance of Earth Day on April 22.

"We encourage people to 'Hit The Trails At Ohio State Parks' during Earth Week," said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. "We're making it fun and easy for families, community support groups and individuals get into the spirit of Earth Day with camping discounts, clean-up days, open houses, hikes and more."

Many of Ohio's 73 state parks will hold nature hikes, stream sweeps and litter pickups.

For information regarding Earth Week activities in a nearby Ohio State Park, call the park office or check the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us

Earth Week Events in Ohio State Parks

NORTHWEST OHIO

East Harbor State Park

Volunteer Tree Planting and Nature Hike-Sun. April 22, 1 P.M. at the Lockwood Shelterhouse. Tree plantings at various areas around the park, followed by a nature hike.

Grand Lake St. Marys

Park Clean-up-Fri. April 27-Sun. April 29. Local Boy Scout troops will clean up litter around the park.

Mary Jane Thurston State Park

Walk For the World-Sat. April 28, 8 A.M. Activities include a walking tour of the park.

Van Buren State Park

Park Clean-up-Sun. April 29. Local Boy Scout troops will clean up litter around the park. Call (419) 832-7662 for information.

NORTHEAST OHIO

Beaver Creek State Park

Nature Center Open House - Sat. April 21, 11 A.M. Dedication ceremony followed by tours and naturalist programs for children.

Volunteer Spring Clean-up-Sat. April 28, 9 A.M.- 1 P.M.

Findley State Park

Open House-Sun. April 29, 10 A.M.-Noon, at the camp office.

Malabar Farm State Park

Wildflower Walk-Sat. April 21, 10 A.M.-Noon

Mohican State Park

Open House and Nature Hikes-Sat. April 28, 1 P.M.- 4 P.M. at the park cottages; Sun. April 29, 10 A.M. -2 P.M. at the Grist Mill. Facilities tours will be offered, along with nature hikes.

Mosquito Lake State Park

Spring Planting Day-Sat. April 28, 10 A.M. Activities include tree planting, litter clean-up and wildflower garden preparation.

Punderson State Park/Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park

Earth Day Clean-up-Sat. April 28, 9 A.M., at Punderson State Park. Volunteers include personnel from the Civil Air Patrol and Home Depot. Materials donated by Home Depot and Geauga/Trumbull County Waste Management District.

Pymatuning State Park

Park Clean-up-Mon. April 23-Fri. April 27. Call the park office for information (440) 293-6030.

Open House - Sat. April 28, 11 A.M. - 4 P.M. Refreshments served.

Quail Hollow State Park

Annual March for Parks-Sun. April 22, 2 P.M.-3 P.M. Proceeds from this fundraising walk go to the park's Wildlife Center.

West Branch State Park

Annual Spring Clean-up-Sat. April 21, 9 A.M., at the west boat ramp pavilion. The park provides lunch for volunteers after the clean-up.

CENTRAL OHIO

A.W. Marion State Park

Park Clean-up-Sat. April 28, 9 A.M. Local Boy Scout troops will clean up litter around the park.

Alum Creek State Park

Annual Clean-up-Sat. April 21, 9 A.M.-Noon at the Hollenback Boat Ramp near the marina.

Deer Creek State Park

Nature Hike-Sun. April 29, 1 P.M., at the lodge.

Delaware State Park

Memorial Tree Planting-Thurs. April 27, at the Volunteer Garden. Call 740-369-2761 for information.

Indian Lake State Park

Earth Day Open House-Sat. April 21, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. at the Nature Center. Activities include nature programs, special activities for children, free seed packets and fishing, wildlife and recycling information.

SOUTHWEST OHIO

Buck Creek

Park Clean-up and Tree Planting-Sat. April 21-Sun. April 29. Park staff and volunteers will pick up litter and plant trees through the week.

Caesar Creek State Park

March for Parks-Sat. April 21, 10 A.M., at the Fifty Springs Picnic Area. Proceeds from this 3.5-mile fundraising walk will go to special park projects.

Annual Green-Up Day-Sat. April 21, 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. The park provides lunch for volunteers.

Cowan Lake State Park

Earth Day Park Clean-up-Sat. April 21, 9 A.M. The park provides lunch for volunteers.

Hueston Woods State Park

Wildflower Workshop-Sat. April 21, 2 P.M., at the Nature Center. A wildflower identification hike will follow a wildflower slide show.

Creek Walk-Sun. April 22, 2 P.M., at the Nature Center.

John Bryan State Park

Park Clean-up-Sun. April 22, 9 A.M.- Noon.

Kiser Lake State Park

Volunteer Park Clean-up-Sun. April 22, 10 A.M. - 2 P.M., at the campground. Horsemen are also encouraged to pick up litter along the bridle trail through the week.

Rocky Fork State Park

School Days-Mon. April 23, 9:30 A.M. -1 P.M., for Rainsboro Elementary, grades K-3. Tues. April 24, 9:30 A.M.-1 P.M. for Rainsboro Elementary, grades 4-5. Fri. April 27, 9:30 A.M.-1 P.M. for Hillsboro 8th graders.

Community Appreciation Dinner and Memorial Tree Planting-Fri. April 27, Noon-1:30 P.M. The park will provide lunch for local officials and the public. Afterwards, there will be a memorial tree planting.

Litter Pick-up-Sat. April 28, 1 P.M.-4 P.M.

Sycamore State Park

Annual Tree Planting-Sat. April 21 & Sat. April 28. Volunteers must contact the park to schedule a time. The park provides seedlings and equipment. Call (937) 854-4452.

SOUTHEAST OHIO

Barkcamp State Park

Park Clean-up Day-Fri. April 20, 9 A.M.-3 P.M. Students from local schools will clean up litter around the park.

Dillon State Park

Park Clean-up-Sat. April 28, 2 P.M., at the Nature Center. Local Boy Scout troops will clean up litter around the park.

Forked Run State Park

Trail Clean-up-Sat. April 28, 9 A.M.- Noon. The park provides lunch for volunteers.

Great Seal State Park

Trail Clean-up-Sat. April 21-Sun. April 29. Local Boy Scout troops will clean up litter along park trails. Call (740) 663-2125 for information.

Hocking Hills State Park

Waterfall and Wildflower Hike-Sat. April 21, 10 A.M., at Ash Cave.

Jackson Lake

Park Clean-up-Sat. April 21, 9:00 AM-Noon. The park will provide refreshments for volunteers.

Lake Alma State Park

Park Clean-up and Nature Hike-Sat. April 28, 9 A.M.-11:30 A.M. The park provides lunch for volunteers. A trail hike will be held at 1 P.M.

Lake Hope State Park

Wildflower Walk-Sat. April 21, 10 A.M. - Noon, at the Hope Furnace.

Paint Creek State Park

Earth Day at the Pioneer Farm-Fri. April 20, 9:30 A.M.-2 P.M., at the Pioneer Farm. Local elementary students will plant flowers and learn about pioneer life and the importance of Earth Day.

Scioto Trail State Park

Boy Scout Jamboree-Sat.-Sun, April 21-22. Local Boy Scout Troop 240 will clean up litter and do trail maintenance during their annual jamboree. Call (740) 663-2125.

Shawnee State Park

Annual Trout Derby-Fri.-Sat., April 27-28. In addition to fishing, activities include naturalist programs, hikes, hayrides and entertainment. Call (740) 858-6652.

Tar Hollow State Park

Trail Clean-up-Sun. April 22 & Sat. April 28. Boy Scouts from Delaware and Cleveland Heights will pick up litter on park trails to earn merit badges. Call (740) 887-4818.

Wolf Run State Park

Park Clean-up - Sat. April 28, 10 A.M.- Noon. Local Boy Scout troops, 4-H clubs and volunteers from the Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District will clean up litter around the park.

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