EDITORS NOTE: This is the first in a series of fall color updates highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's autumn vistas. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Thursday through the end of October.
COLUMBUS, OH -- The state's peak fall foliage viewing season is still more than two weeks away for most of Ohio. However, the first fall color reports from across the state indicate trees are already beginning to don their autumn "finery" in some northeastern areas, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Woodlots and fields across Ohio remain mostly green this week - the start of what we expect to be a very good fall foliage season - despite the recent hot and dry summer, said Bill Schultz, fall color spokesman with the ODNR Division of Forestry. Some state parks in the eastern portion of Ohio are already reporting the first patches of seasonal color changes.
Seasonal events and campouts are set this weekend for Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County; Kelleys Island State Park in Ottawa County; Indian Lake State Park in Logan County; Stonelick and East Fork state parks in Clermont County; Scioto Trail State Park in Ross County; A.W. Marion State Park in Pickaway County; Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County; Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County; Lake Milton State Park in Mahoning County; and Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County.
To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular touring season, weekly updates are available from the best fall color viewing locations across the state through 1-800-BUCKEYE. Internet users can also find this fall color information at ohiodnr.com
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 123 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the splendid fall foliage. Here are current reports from selected locations:
REGION CONDITION 9/26/02
CENTRAL
Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Green
Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Green
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve (Licking County) Green
NORTHEAST
Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Green
Findley State Park (Lorain County) Fair
Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Green
Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Green
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) Fair
EAST
Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Green
Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Green
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Green
Fernwood State Forest (Jefferson County) Green
Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Fair
SOUTHEAST
Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Green
Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Green
Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Fair
Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Green
Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross County) Green
Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Green
SOUTHWEST
Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Green
Hueston Woods State Park and State Nature Preserve (Preble County) Green
Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Green
Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Green
Little Miami State Park (Warren County) Green
WEST
Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County) Green
J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Green
Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Green
NORTHWEST
Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Green
Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Green
Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Green
COLOR CONDITION KEY: GREEN - Still mostly green. FAIR - Beginning to turn colors. NEAR PEAK - Mostly colored. PEAK - Peak colors. FADING - Mostly colored, but fading from peak conditions. LEAF DROP - Few leaves on trees. Note that reported conditions are subject to rapid change with wind or rain.
For Further Information Contact:
Bill Schultz, ODNR Division of Forestry
(614) 265-6704
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860