February 2023
It's cold outside, but things are still happening at Clermont County! Check out this this issue of In the Parks for upcoming events, construction updates, and exciting things happening in your parks! |
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Management Moment: Artificial Nesting
Shrinking habitat for our native birds comes with challenges of food shortages, mating opportunities, and brood-rearing cover. All of these factors are very important to the survival of a species, so finding ways to supplement these losses can be a valuable tool for habitat managers and landowners. Providing food plots on farm land is one way to help supplement food loss, but establishing pocket populations of species presents financial, legal and timely challenges. Creating nesting opportunities could possibly be the easiest solution to help out our feathered friends.
It is not out of the ordinary to drive down the road or through a subdivision and see bird houses, small grass fields, fence rows and dead trees. While all these have their own niche, bird boxes/houses still seem to reign as the king of artificial nest sites. With so many resources to buy or research plans to build bird boxes, anyone can get involved!
Creating nesting opportunities for cavity-nesting birds, such as bluebirds, is fairly easy. Most box builders will use a simple wood and nail design, which are fun to build and seem to stand the test of time (check out some of our recommended design plans here and here).
To start, a 4-sided rectangular box with 1 ½ in. hole as the entry and exit hole is created. One side of the box is toe-nailed to allow access for box checks and to clean out nests of unwanted species, such as house sparrows. The boxes are then mounted to a T-post or electrical conduit. When placing these boxes, be sure that they are facing east. This will guard against most winds, and boxes should be facing an open field where the grasses are fairly short and close to perching points. The boxes should be at least 5ft. off of the ground and spaced roughly 20ft. apart from other boxes. Some people have been known to place two boxes side by side on the same post with the hopes of having bluebirds establishing one nest and other species occupying the other. This is trying to stack the odds in the favor of bluebirds by placing more boxes. Many people will also place baffles or grease the poles to help reduce predation from snakes, raccoons, opossums and other hungry predators.
Interested in learning more about bluebirds, becoming a monitoring volunteer or building bluebird boxes? Join us on February 25, 2023 at 10 am at our Administrative offices at 2156 Hwy 50 in Batavia. We will be building bluebird boxes and launching our bluebird monitoring program!
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Welcome to our new Operations Superintendent, Bryan Howell!
I have worked in the outdoor space for the majority of my life, I began with the Forest Service in Colorado, then Alaska. Once I moved back to the Midwest I continued my work with regional and county park districts mainly focusing on trails and natural resources. In my spare time I enjoy day hiking, backpacking, hunting and fishing. With my role here at Clermont Park District I hope to continue providing open spaces for visitors to enjoy. I am also excited to work with our Natural Resource Manager to preserve and increase natural areas for the surrounding communities to explore, so we can offer educational opportunities as to why these areas are important features.
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Building Excitement at Clermont Parks
Niki Marengo, Community Engagement Manager
We’re literally building excitement at the Clermont County Park District! Staff has been working hard with consulting team MKSK to get feedback from our collaborative partners, stakeholders and most importantly, the community we serve, to build the park’s first comprehensive master plan. This plan will be ready for its unveiling this spring at our Earth Day festivities on April 22. In it you’ll find updated mission and priorities, expected projects and new ways that you can get outdoors – be sure to mark your calendars to come to Shor Park and check it out.
We haven’t been waiting on the Master Plan to get working though; we’ve already been building some big changes throughout our parks, including:
- two new bridges at Wilson Nature Preserve and Shor Park;
- a new parking lot at Kathryn Stagge-Marr Park;
- a meandering trail through wetlands, open meadows and along streams, as well as replaced the parking lot at Ten-Mile Creek Nature Preserve;
- a large-scale invasive removal, updated benches and trail updates at Kelley Nature Preserve.
Our staff has been busy - and we’re just getting started! Check out some of the 2023 projects that we’re most excited about:
Sycamore Park Sundeck: Enjoy the river with our new sundeck! This raised platform will be the perfect spot to sit back and take in the sights of the East Fork River. Looking to launch your kayak? You’ll be able to use our new kayak launch near the sundeck.
Wilson Nature Preserve Suspension Bridge: From Sycamore, take a stroll over to the adjacent Wilson Nature Preserve to our new suspension bridge. This unique project will come to life utilizing Clean Ohio grant funds, as well as Park District capital monies. The 105-foot suspension bridge will connect guests to a 25- acre island in the East Fork River, where they’ll be able to enjoy over a mile of new and restored trails. We’re excited to see this project become one of the most iconic spots to visit in our parks.
New Chilo Lock #34 Playground: Bring your kids for a day on the Ohio River! Enjoy Chilo’s historic river history museum and a new accessible playground. Utilizing Park District capital money and a CDBG grant, construction will soon be starting. This playground is the last one to get a recent and much-needed overhaul in the Park District.
Kathryn Stagge-Marr Pavilion: The 2022 tornado structurally damaged the onsite shelter at Stagge-Marr Park, leaving it unavailable for rentals. Well, time to take advantage of new opportunities! In 2023, we’re investing funds from insurance monies into building a structure that will not only be available as a shelter, but also as pavilion for concerts and other special events in the park. The new pavilion will have an additional space for storage, and will be located near the pond at the park.
Have questions about the master plan or the future of these projects or others in the Park District? Reach out to Executive Director, Josh Torbeck, at 513-732-2977. We’ll see you outside!
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Forest Expedition
Pattison Park Lodgeside
Saturday February 4 at 1 p.m.
Join our naturalist for a hike through the sugarbush and onto our new Headquarters Offices property to see what’s happening in nature! We will meet by the Sugar Shack and head out from there. Make sure to dress for the weather and bring water! This is a longer hike through uneven terrain. Best for adults and children ages 8 and up. Free, no registration required.
Hike with a Shelter Dog
Shor Park
Sunday February 5 at 9 - 11 a.m.
Meet the League for Animal Welfare at Shor Park to take a hike with a shelter dog! The League brings the dogs; you bring your hiking shoes and your sense of adventure! A fun, easy way to give a shelter dog a lovely day out of the kennel. Please RSVP to Carrie at [email protected] to sign up!
Knee-High Naturalist: Sap to Syrup
Pattison Park Lodgeside
Thursday February 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Listen to a story, have a mini-adventure in our sugarbush, and make your maple craft take home. Program will be indoors with a short walk outside. Designed for ages 3 to 5, all kids welcome. Free, no registration required.
Creatures of the Night
Felicity Branch Library
Thursday February 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Some animals enjoy the night life! Clermont County is full of nocturnal critters like bats, owls, flying squirrels, and minks that only come out at night. Kids ages 6-11 will learn the cool adaptations that allow these animals to master the darkness. There will be activities, science demonstrations, and investigations. Best for kids. Free, register at https://clermontlibrary.libnet.info/event/7388067.
Nature Play Days
Sycamore Park
Friday February 13 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Drop in to these unstructured outdoor play sessions that help kids to make friends, explore, and learn about the world together. We will provide a take home craft and stay active on cold winter days by exploring nature, hiking, and learning about wilderness survival. Best for ages 3 - 14. Free, no registration required.
Critter Feeding: Bats
Park District Headquarters
Sunday February 12 at 3 p.m.
Stop by to see our special guest, a bat, eat its lunch! This month, our guest Amy Stevens from Dragonfly Garden Wildlife Rescue will demonstrate how to feed and care for these fascinating nocturnal critters. Program will be held indoors. All ages. Free, no registration required.
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Maple Discovery Days: Homeschool
Pattison Park Lodgeside
Friday February 17 at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Students will learn how trees make this sweet sap through photosynthesis and the step-by-step process of how delicious maple syrup is made. Get a hands-on experience by learning to identify a sugar maple tree, practicing tapping, and gathering maple sap from buckets in the woods. Then visit our steamy evaporator to see how we transform sap into delicious syrup and try a taste of our homemade maple syrup. Best for ages 5 - 14. Free, email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
Maple Open House
Pattison Park Lodgeside
Saturday February 18 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Interested in making maple syrup? Stop by any time between 1 and 3 pm to learn how to tap a maple tree and get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making sweet maple syrup. You'll also have a chance to learn how to identify a maple tree, transform sap into syrup, taste real maple syrup, and take a quarter mile self-guided tour of our sugarbush trail. All ages. Free, no registration required.
Knee-High Naturalist – Sap to Syrup
Chilo Lock 34 Park
Tuesday February 21 at 10 a.m. or 4:30 p.m.
Listen to story, have a mini-adventure outdoors, find a maple tree, and make your maple craft take home. Program will be indoors with a short walk outside. Designed for ages 3 to 5, all kids welcome. Free, no registration required.
Creatures of the Night
Owensville Branch Library
Tuesday February 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Some animals enjoy the night life! Clermont County is full of nocturnal critters like bats, owls, flying squirrels, and minks that only come out at night. Kids ages 6 - 11 will learn the cool adaptations that allow these animals to master the darkness. There will be activities, science demonstrations, and investigations. Best for kids. Free, register at https://clermontlibrary.libnet.info/event/7387798.
Butterfly Identification for Beginners
Amelia Branch Library
Tuesday February 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Learn how to identify butterflies around town! With spring on its way, familiarize yourself with butterflies that you might see in your neighborhood or a local park. Learn strategies to help conserve butterflies in Clermont County and attract more butterflies to your yard. Best for adults. Free, register at https://clermontlibrary.libnet.info/event/7354717.
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Homebrewing for Beginners
Jeff Graff from Paradise Brewing joins us to explain the brewing process from start to finish. From equipment and ingredients to recipes, learn about the ins and outs of homebrewing. Leave feeling ready to make your own craft beer! Evening Lectures are held on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Pattison Park Lodge. Presentation is free and geared towards adults. No pre-registration is required. Come mingle, share some light bites and learn!
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Pancakes in the Park
We're back and ready to serve up some pancakes! Join us at Pattison Park Lodge on March 4 for this donation-based breakfast, served hot and fresh to you by the Kiwanis Club of East Fork Region! All proceeds will benefit the volunteer efforts and work that they do in the community. After you enjoy breakfast, be sure to make your way to the Sugar Shack, where you can see how syrup is made and get a taste of the product. Grassy Run Historical Society will be giving demonstrations on how maple syrup has traditionally been made. Syrup will be available for purchase! Hope to see you there for this fun and delish community day!
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Community Grant Program
The Clermont County Park District Board of Park Commissioners has authorized $100,000 for the 2023 Community Parks Improvement program. The program consist of grants of up to $20,000 for local community parks in Clermont County. Applicants must be a Clermont County township, village, or city to be eligible. Grants are awarded for improvements to local park facilities.
One of the things that the Park District has heard from local government representatives is that they are having trouble maintaining their parks. The Park District created the Community Parks Improvement Program in order to help keep the local parks safe and enjoyable.
Since the start of the program in 2017 the Park District has awarded over $520,000 in grants for 51 projects in local communities. Projects funded (or partially funded) included restrooms, dog parks, playground safety surface and equipment, pickle ball courts, walking trails, AED, and more.
Applications will be sent out to local communities and will be available on the Clermont County Park District website. Applications are due March 31, 2023. Questions concerning the Community Parks Improvement Program can be directed to Chris Clingman at [email protected]
or 513-732-2977.
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Plan a Group Volunteer Project for 2023
Are you interested in bringing your school, corporate or community group to give back at Clermont County Park in 2023? Projects include tree plantings, invasive removals, trail work or light construction projects – such as bridge, bench or picnic table upgrades. Group service projects are a great way to bond while making a difference!
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Become a Park District Volunteer! All year round, we have opportunities for you to help with Naturalist programming, special events, projects, forest stewardship, and even photography! For more information or to get started, click here. |
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We’re Building Bluebird Boxes
The Bluebirds will be returning soon and we want to help them survive and thrive!
We will be building 40 boxes to provide safety for our flying friends throughout the nesting cycle. Our goal is to protect and monitor the offspring until they fledge successfully. In order to do this….We need your help! Please come and join us at the Park Headquarters- bring your own battery powered drills or screwdrivers if you have them! Register here and get updates about upcoming volunteer opportunites!
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Save the Date: Volunteer Orientation
Saturday April 15, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hartman Cabin
Save the date to become a Clermont County Parks volunteer! Join us at Hartman Cabin for an introduction to roles in Natural Resources, Outreach, Naturalist Programs and Trails. Stick around to enjoy a light lunch and a hands-on introduction to invasive plants in our area and how to safely and effectively remove them. Free, 14 and up.
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