COLUMBUS, OH -- A record number of people provided a variety of services as volunteers in Ohio State Parks during 2002, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Last year, 6,079 volunteers donated more than 316,000 hours of service, maintaining trails, greeting campers, working with naturalists, assisting at golf courses and completing beautification tasks on park grounds.
This active involvement in state parks by our volunteers has a direct impact on the high quality of service we strive to provide to park visitors, said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. These people make a valuable contribution to their community and utilize their skills and interests to create an enjoyable experience for the millions of visitors to our state parks every year."
The state park volunteer program started with a handful of people in 1982 and has grown steadily ever since.
We invite folks of all ages and interests to become involved as state park volunteers, said West. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and help others to do the same.
Ohio State Parks encompass more than 204,000 acres, with 57 family campgrounds, 36 visitor and nature centers, eight resort lodges and six golf courses.
For more information on volunteer opportunities in Ohio State Parks, contact your local state park or visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com.
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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com
For Further Information Contact:
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882