COLUMBUS, OH Seven Ohio State Parks have received “Service Excellence Awards” for 2005, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys and are given annually to individual parks in recognition of outstanding facilities.
For the second consecutive year, Lake Milton State Park in Mahoning County was honored for its outstanding beach, boating facilities and hiking trails.
Others parks receiving Service Excellence Awards were: Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Marblehead Lighthouse State Park in Ottawa County, Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County, Harrison Lake State Park in Fulton County, Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County and West Branch State Park in Portage County.
“The Service Excellence Awards recognize praise from the people who matter most to our state park system the visitors,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “These seven parks represent the best facilities and recreational opportunities our parks have to offer.”
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score, the facilities and parks receiving the highest scores were:
- Lake Milton State Park for its boating facilities, beach and trails. The boating facilities received a score of 4.6, the beach was scored at 4.5 and the trails were scored at 4.7.
- Hueston Woods State Park for its cottages and resort lodge. The cottages received a 4.4 score and the lodge a 4.3 score.
- Deer Creek State Park for its 18-hole golf course, which earned a score of 4.4 from users. Deer Creek also won in this category last year.
- Marblehead Lighthouse State Park for its picnic areas. The facilities received a score of 4.5 from users.
- West Branch State Park for its improved campground. The campground earned an average score of 4.5. The park also won in this category last year.
- Harrison Lake State Park for its getaway rentals. The rentals scored 4.8.
- Malabar Farm State Park for its visitor center. The visitor center received an overall score of 4.6.
More than 50 million visitors enjoyed the natural beauty and quality facilities of Ohio's state parks last year. Ohio’s state park system is home to nine resort lodges, more than 500 cottages, six golf courses and 56 family campgrounds with more than 9,000 campsites. For additional information, visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com .
Lake Milton State Park Manager Barb Neill, center, receives the Ohio State Parks Service Excellence Award from state parks chief Dan West, right. ODNR Director Sam Speck is at left.