COLUMBUS, OH - Barb Neill, manager of Lake Milton State Park in Mahoning County, has received Ohio State Parks Service & Stewardship Award for 2003, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
The award recognizes Neill's efforts to successfully implement long-term goals of Ohio State Parks in her day-to-day operations.
"Barb has actively pursued the goals of our strategic plan and made noticeable improvements in her park by involving local community groups, building partnerships and focusing on enhanced family programming," said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks.
Neill, with the help of local community groups, was responsible for many park improvements that included construction of a new walking/bicycling trail. Neill helped offset the trail project cost through grants, numerous private and business donations, as well as volunteer labor.
A series of annual events that involve the local community attract thousands of visitors to the park. Hundreds of local school children benefit from the park's School Days program.
"Our park visitors, the local community and the park system benefit greatly from Barb's perseverance and positive attitude," West said.
Ohio's 74 state parks encompass eight resort lodges, six golf courses, more than 500 cottages and 56 campgrounds with more than 9,000 campsites. A ninth resort lodge is scheduled to open in May at Geneva State Park in Ashtabula County. For additional information, visit the ohiodnr.com web site.