Winter 2018-19 - Metro Parks

[Pages:32]WINTER 2018-19

from the

executive

Dan Bissonette

director

In a democratic system, the ballot box is the most powerful communication we as citizens have. Franklin County voters affirmed this on Nov. 6, 2018 when they went to the polls and approved Metro Parks' 10-year, 0.95-mill levy.

We thank you for listening, we thank you for supporting the park system and we thank you for taking time to cast your vote for us. The levy, which makes up about 80 percent of Metro Parks' annual funding, will provide us with stable funding through 2029. This will allow us to continue to provide the free high quality recreation and nature immersion experiences that you, and the Central Ohio community, have enjoyed since the park system was formed more than 70 years ago.

We will use your tax dollars to ensure that our 19 parks and 230-plus trail miles are maintained and enhanced to meet the needs, wants and wishes of the community today, tomorrow and in the near and distant future.

As Central Ohio GROWS, so GROWS Metro Parks. With the Central Ohio area projected to grow by 1 million people by 2050, making the region the most populous in the state, Metro Parks will be a key player in meeting the challenge to create more inviting, sustainable green spaces to benefit people and the environment.

To this end, we will use funds from the levy as well as other revenue sources to build three new parks areas over the next 10 years. Already, work is underway at what will be our 20th Metro Park, Quarry Trails, the former Marble Cliff Quarry along the Scioto River. Two other areas that we are pursuing for parkland preservation are land adjacent to the Scioto and Big Walnut river corridors in southern Franklin County and trail connectivity and additional acreage to connect existing Metro Parks in northeast Franklin County.

Levy funds will also be used to meet some of the major requests that we received from registered voters through a 2018 countywide survey. A few of the things we plan to do are to add at least 50 miles of trails, enhance programming for youth and seniors, expand non-traditional hours for overnight specialty programs and protect even more habitat for wildlife to thrive.

On behalf of the board of park commissioners and the park staff, I thank you for your support and commitment to Metro Parks.

Tim Moloney, Executive Director

2 To learn more, visit

Sledding Hills

Battelle Darby Creek Blacklick Woods Golf Courses Highbanks / Scioto Audubon Scioto Grove / Sharon Woods Walnut Woods

Skating Ponds

Battelle Darby Creek Blendon Woods

X-country Ski Trails

Battelle Darby Creek Blendon Woods Highbanks / Prairie Oaks

(Trails at these parks are closed for all other activities when ski conditions exist, but all trails at all parks [except Inniswood] can be used to ski.)

Dan Bissonette Dan Bissonette

Frank Kozarich

connect with us

mp-fb mp-inst mp-tw mp-ytube

contents

Map_ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 4 About Us / Opportunities Winter Hikes_ __ __ __ __ __ 6 Winter Hikes _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 7 Friends of Metro Parks _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 8 We have the place for you _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 9 Programs _ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _10

Front cover photo: Andrew Boose

mp-blog

mp-news

Web E-mail info@ Information 614.891.0700 Reservations 614.508.8111 Fax 614.895.6208 InfoLine 614.508.8000

Cheryl Blair To learn more, visit 3

Columbus & Franklin County METRO PARKS

O'Shaughnessy Reservoir

Alum Creek

71

Reservoir

Hoover Reservoir 605

GWaloretnhainRgdton

Ohio to Erie Trail Sunbury Rd

Schleppi Rd Harlem Rd

Riverside Drive

33

Glacier Ridge Brock Rd

257

Hyland Croy

Rd

CemPeitkaery

161

Post Rd

Cosgray Rd

R Wilcox Rd

Heritage

Amity Pike

Trail

d

Hayden Run

Heritage

270

Trail Park

Darby Creek Trail

Scioto Darby Rd

Homestead Prairie

OakRosberts Rd

Sciot Dublin Rd

Avery Rd

23

ork Rock y

750

Powell Rd

62

Highbanks

Pol

ar is Pkwy

Sharon Woods Hempstead Rd

F

Rocky Fork

Park Rd

Main St

Walnut St

Brevelhymer Rd

270

Tuttle 161

Rd TBulvttdle Crossing

161 23

71

Morse Rd

E. Schrock Rd

Inniswood Central C ollege Rd

BWloenoddos n Dempsey Rd

161 Dublin-Granville

Rd

3

New Albany Rd

Hamilton Rd

Cherry

B

Cleveland Ave

Blacklick Creek

Alum Creek Trail

Bottom Rd

ig Walnut C

Olentangy River Olentangy Trail

re

33

o River

315 Scioto Trail

High St

ek

270

Alum Creek

3

670

I-670 Trail

317

16

Blacklick Woods

& Golf Courses

Amity Rd Plain City Georgesville Rd

Amity Rd

arby Cree Big

Little Darby Creek

FHreigehPike

70

670

Broad St

40

Darby Creek Dr

Scioto

D

Darby Creek Trail

Trail

Audubon

k

Camp Chase

270

Scioto Trail 62

Alkire Rd

Norton Rd

3

71

Battelle Darby Creek

Scioto Grove

665

y Creek Big

104 Darb

71

Brice Rd

40 Main St

70

Livingston Ave

70

Hamilton Rd Blacklic

Alum Creek Dr

Blacklick Creek

Creek

104

k Creek Trail

Bowen Rd

Long Rd

Wright Rd

t Gender Rd

k

s

Spangler Rd Grovepor

Parsons Ave

Williams Rd

270

t Rd

ThreeWinche ter Pi e

Wright Rd

256

Pickerington

Ponds

Hill Rd Pickerington Rd

Bowen Rd

23

Bixby Rd

Creeks

Wa erloo St

High St

317 London Groveport Rd

Lithopolis674 Rd

Waterloo Rd

Winchester Rd

33

Lithopolis-Winchester Rd

Walnut Woods

674 Perrill Rd

Slough Rd

Winchester Rd

Chestnut Ridge

NoArtmhaenrdnaRd Mason Rd

Walnut Creek

Richardson Rd Winchester Rd

Duvall Rd

Slate Run Farm and Park

Marcy Rd

Neiswander Rd

62

Greenway Trails

Seven miles

south of

116

Lancaster on

US 33

Clear Creek

CleCalreCarreeCkr e ek Rd (C R 116)

To Lancaster

33

about us

Metro Parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our Central Ohio community, ensuring the health of families and youth and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region.

Metro Parks attract more than 10-million people per year and offer exceptional settings for renewal of the human spirit. Visitors can enjoy healthy, fun-filled interaction with the natural world every day of the year. Each year Metro Parks naturalists offer over 4,000 free programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Established in 1945, Metro Parks operates 19 natural area parks in seven Central Ohio counties, and provides more than 230 miles of trails. The park system protects more than 27,700 acres of land and water and offers year-round recreational and educational opportunities for youth and adults. Facilities and programs are available to the public free-of-charge--made possible by voter support of the 2009 Metro Parks levy.

The Mission of Metro Parks is to conserve open spaces, while providing places and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature.

In accordance with its mission, Metro Parks works to conserve and enhance habitat for the more than 2,400 species of animals and plants that thrive within the parks.

Funding for Metro Parks comes from Franklin County property tax, local government funds, earned income, grants and partnerships.

Metro Parks is a separate political subdivision of the state of Ohio organized under Ohio Revised Code, Section 1545. Metro Parks' Board of Park Commissioners, composed of three citizens who serve three-year terms without compensation, governs the Park District. Board members are appointed by the Judge of the Probate Court of Franklin County.

Metro Parks' Board of Park Commissione rs meets monthly. Meetings are open to the public. Visit for meeting time, dates and location.

Board of Park Commissioners JB Hadden Greg S Lashutka Jim McGregor

Executive Director Tim Moloney

opportunities

Metro Parks is committed to conserving natural resources and providing places and opportunities that encourage people to discover and experience nature. To accomplish this goal, a well-trained, dedicated and talented staff is necessary. Job opportunities are very diverse and encompass a wide variety of positions ranging from park technician to naturalist and park ranger, as well as seasonal and internship opportunities.

Check frequently on the web at mp-jobs. The online application system makes the application process faster, easier, and more eco-friendly.

6 To learn more, visit

Winter Hikes 2019

Metro Parks' 46th annual series

MEET NEW FRIENDS & GET OUT & GET FIT AT OUR 13 WINTER HIKES FOOD & HOT DRINKS AFTER EVERY HIKE

Cheryl Blair

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

BLACKLICK WOODS Sat Jan 5 / 10am ? 2 or 4 miles

SHARON WOODS Sat Jan 12 / 10am ? 2 or 4 miles

PRAIRIE OAKS Sun Jan 13 / 2pm ? 1, 3 or 5 miles

SCIOTO AUDUBON Sat Jan 19 / 10am ? 1 or 2 miles

CLEAR CREEK Sat Jan 26 / 10am ? 1, 3 or 5 miles

INNISWOOD Sun Jan 27 / 2pm ? 2 miles

BLENDON WOODS Sat Feb 2 / 10am ? 2 or 4 miles

SCIOTO GROVE Sun Feb 3 / 2pm ? 1 or 2 miles

HIGHBANKS Sat Feb 9 / 10am ? 2.5 or 5 miles

GLACIER RIDGE Sun Feb 10 / 2pm ? 2 miles

THREE CREEKS Sat Feb 16 / 10am ? 1, 3 or 5.6 miles

SLATE RUN Sun Feb 17 / 2pm ? 2.5 or 5 miles

BATTELLE DARBY CREEK Sat Feb 23 / 10am ? 2, 4 or 6 miles

Leashed pets are welcome to walk with you at these hikes

Jesse Bethea

For the LOVE of Metro Parks

Friends of Metro Parks is a nonprofit, membership-based organization supporting our Metro Parks through interactive activities, advocacy and fund-raising. We LOVE our Metro Parks... and we work together with you to make sure these beautiful natural spaces are enjoyed for generations to come.

Why should YOU become a Friend of Metro Parks?

By joining the Friends you're showing your LOVE for the natural spaces of Central Ohio. Any financial or volunteer support from citizens like you helps us to continue to provide programming for all park goers. Plus, you'll be able to participate in special events open only to members.

Please contact friends@ for more information

Donate online or become a Friend of Metro Parks

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