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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2003

HEALTHY OHIOANS KNOW OHIO STATE PARKS OFFER DOZENS OF INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO GET FIT NATURALLY
State park trails, lakes and playgrounds beckon as pleasant, pastoral exercise locations

Ohio State Parks with:

Outstanding walking and hiking trails

Noted bicycling or mountain biking facilities

Premier swimming beaches

For paddle-sport enthusiasts

New or updated recreational facilities
COLUMBUS, OH - Whether it's hiking on a wooded trail, swimming on a sunny beach or biking on a picturesque path, Ohio's 74 state parks offer dozens of inexpensive ways to get fit - and stay fit - naturally.

In recognition of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Governor Bob Taft's Healthy Ohioans Initiative and Ohio State Parks are joining forces to promote state parks as excellent destinations for both fitness and fun.

“Ohio’s scenic parks provide the perfect setting for a wide range of healthy outdoor activities, from trails for hiking, biking and rollerblading to waterways for canoeing, kayaking and swimming,” Taft said. “I encourage all Ohioans to explore our wonderful system of parks and along the way discover the path to good health.”

More than half of adult Ohioans are not sufficiently physically active and nearly 60 percent are overweight, according to J. Nick Baird, M.D., director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). At the same time, more than 10 percent of teens are overweight with many more at risk for obesity due to inactive lifestyles.

"Motivating Ohioans to get active and participate in daily physical activity is one of our Healthy Ohioans goals," Baird said. "For families or individuals, there's no better place to begin than in an Ohio State Park."

ODH fitness experts say an average person walking briskly or hiking on moderate terrain burns about 240 calories every hour, as does bicycling at about six miles per hour. A 30-minute swim burns an average of 222 calories. Playing volleyball or tennis burns about 180 calories in 30 minutes. Playing basketball burns more than 300 calories in the same length of time.

More than 58 million people visited Ohio's state parks last year for healthy activity and fun, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The parks offer more than 1,000 miles of recreational trails, 78 swimming beaches, 18 pools, 183 playgrounds and 57 campgrounds - many with volleyball, basketball and tennis courts.

For more information on Healthy Ohioans visit www.healthyohioans.org and for more information on locations or activities of Ohio State Parks visit ohiodnr.com

EDITORS NOTE: SEE BELOW LIST OF PARKS WITH OUTSTANDING HIKING, CYCLING, CANOEING AND OTHER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
-or-
Mari-jean Siehl, Healthy Ohioans
(614) 644-1113

PARKS WITH OUTSTANDING WALKING AND HIKING TRAILS

Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County. Ten miles of interpretive trails make hiking here an exercise in learning. Interpretive audiotapes are available at the visitor center. The park also has a four-mile bridle trail for riders.

Independence Dam State Park in Defiance County. Beginning in June, Tuesday evenings are "no motors" nights in the park, meaning five miles of roads and trails along the Maumee River are open only to walkers, bicyclists, rollerbladers and riders.

Mohican State Park in Richland County. Thirteen miles of hiking trails take visitors along the Clear Fork Gorge - one of Ohio's National Natural Landmarks.

John Bryan State Park in Greene County. A hike along the two-mile North Rim Trail leads to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and sites that are rich in Ohio history.

Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County. A newly refurbished, 24-mile trail system traverses some of the state's most beautiful and unusual landscapes.

East Fork State Park in Clermont County. Nationally recognized for its backpacking, bridle and hiking trails, East Fork offers a variety of challenges for both novice and experienced hikers. Trails vary in length from a half mile to 32 miles.

Shawnee State Park in Scioto County. The Shawnee Backpack Trail in the adjacent state forest leads through Ohio's only designated backcountry wilderness area.

Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County. The two-mile boardwalk traversing swamp and marsh wetlands has interpretive signs, an observation blind and tower and wheelchair accessible loop.

PARKS WITH NOTED BICYCLING OR MOUNTAIN BIKING FACILITIES

Cleveland Lakefront State Park in downtown Cleveland. The 9-mile Cleveland Lakefront Bike Trail traces the Lake Erie shoreline from East 9th Street to East 185th Street. Additional bike paths link the East 55th Street Marina and Gordon Park and Euclid and Villa Angela beaches.

Indian Lake State Park in Logan County. A three-mile paved bikeway runs between Old Field Beach and Russells Point and is also open to walkers and joggers.

Dillon State Park in Muskingum County. Twelve miles of interlocking cycling trails provide lots of options. Two new mountain bike trails are tailored for beginner, intermediate or advanced riders.

Little Miami State Park in southwest Ohio. This 47-mile paved bikeway along the scenic Little Miami River draws thousands of cyclists and rollerbladers year round.

PARKS WITH PREMIER SWIMMING BEACHES

Headlands Beach State Park in Lake County. This mile-long stretch of natural Lake Erie beach won Ohio State Parks 2002 Service Excellence Award as visitors' favorite.

Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County. A 3,000-foot beach is one of the busiest in the park system.

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park in Mercer and Auglaize Counties. Four public beaches border the largest of Ohio's inland lakes.

Salt Fork State Park in Muskingum County. A 2,500-foot beach features a modern bathhouse, lockers, and snack bar.

Paint Creek State Park in Highland and Ross Counties. A 1,000-foot beach with bathhouse and restrooms lies in one of the state's most scenic areas.

PARKS FOR PADDLE-SPORT ENTHUSIASTS

Findlay State Park in Lorain County. A quiet, 93-acre lake that offers canoe and rowboat rental.

Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County. Little Beaver Creek, a designated wild and scenic river, offers one of the most exciting (and strenuous) canoe rides in the state.

Indian Lake State Park in Logan County. The only state park lake with a designated "canoe trail" also rents canoes to visitors.

Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County. Canoes, kayaks and rowboats are available for rent on this picturesque 120-acre lake where powerboats are forbidden.

PARKS WITH NEW OR UPDATED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County. A local group of volunteers spearheaded construction of a new playground at this park last year.

Great Seal State Park in Ross County. A new disc golf course provides fun and healthy exercise at the same time.

Barkcamp State Park in Belmont County. A new archery range is geared to bow-hunters.

Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County and Tar Hollow State Park in Ross County. Both parks offer miles of bridle trails, as well as saddle horse rentals right on park property.