In the Parks May 2023


	View in browser

May 2023

Spring has arrive and the parks are alive with change! Check out this issue of In the Parks for upcoming events, exciting happenings in your parks, and ways to get involved!

Earth Day 2023: Teamwork Got It Done!

Clermont Parks collaborated with three community partners this year to get a whole bunch of work done for Earth Day this year! We kicked off our efforts with on Friday the 21^st at Shor Park with Duke Energy. Not only did Duke employees get 25 large trees in the ground, they also helped to fund the project with a $1,500 donation. This area is in a newly designated “no mow area” (read all about the importance of this in Bryan’s no mow article), so will help to restore a brand-new natural area. Saturday morning (Earth Day!), staff joined Clermont County Soil and Water and Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District for the Spring Litter Cleanup, helping to remove hundreds of bags of litter from the Little Miami Watershed. THEN on the afternoon of Earth Day we invited Do Good Mission, a fantastic local community group, to help us plant 60 new trees in the ground at Kathryn Stagge-Marr Park’s Osage Grove Disc Golf Course. This effort will help to replace trees we lost in the 2022, due to the tornado that devastated Goshen and took down many old trees on the course.

Whew! Many hands makes light work, and a better habitat for the future of Clermont County! If you have a group that is interested in volunteering, go the Get Involved page on our website!

Management Moment: No-Mow

You may have noticed a few areas this year throughout Clermont Park District where we have decided to reduce or even eliminate our mowing! Historically many of our parks have been mowed turf grass with a definitive line into hardwoods and not much transition or variation of habitat. Slowly but surely we are trying to create different types of landscapes to allow for better habitat with other benefits along the way. Some of these benefits include:

Creating more usable habitat for insects (think bees and butterflies), birds and small mammals.
No mow areas help with erosion control and filtering runoff before entering the tributaries of our larger streams and rivers.
Provides areas for wildflowers to flourish.
Reduces labor hours spent on a lawn mower providing more time to work on natural areas work and trail maintenance.
Less mowing also means reduced emissions from our mowers.

These benefits are just a snapshot into the many things a no-mow or reduced-mowing area will provide. As these area begin to return to a more natural, successional stage we are looking forward to implementing projects in certain places to help boost the process along. These projects include a variety of practices such as tree plantings, prairie seed plantings, as well as monitoring any no-mow sections to ensure invasive encroachment is kept to a minimum. While it may take time for these areas to flourish, we are beginning the process now so that in a few years many of these places can be successful conservation stories where our plants and animals can thrive.

Here are some completed/soon to be completed projects and locations are listed below:

Kathryn Stagge-Marr – Multiple tree plantings near the entrance which will become no-mow areas along with reduced mowing through the park.

Shor Park – A tree planting Friday April 21^st that will become a no-mow area. Another area will be no-mow with hopes of creating a separation between the park and Tealtown Road.

Clingman Park – Multiple old farm fields will be planted with native seed mix to begin the process of restoring the fields.

Knee-High Naturalists: Habitats
Shor Park
Tuesday May 2 at 4:30 pm

Listen to a story, have a mini-adventure, and make your own craft take home. Program will be outdoors. Designed for ages 3 to 5, all kids welcome. Free, no registration required.

Spring Bird Walks
Chilo Lock 34 Park
Friday May 5 and 12 from 9-10am

Over 200 species of birds have been seen at Chilo Lock 34 Park and adjacent Crooked Run Nature Preserve! Join us for these morning walks during the height of migration to see what birds have arrived. Best for ages 12 and up. Free, no registration required.

Paint Like Bob Ross
Clingman Park
Saturday, May 6 from 4-7 pm

Learn to paint happy little trees, just like Bob Ross did! Bring a friend and enjoy a night of painting with Yes! You Can Paint! Light bites and inspiring scenery will be provided. $40 per person, register here.

Landowner Conservation Series: Stormwater Management
4H Building at the Clermont County Fairgrounds
Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30 pm

Our Landowner Conservation series gives you ways to practice conservation on and protect your land! This month, learn why managing stormwater and the pollutants it carries will be beneficial to your property, including decreased flooding and erosion. Free and designed for adults, register here.

Nature Play Days
Sycamore Park
Friday May 12 from 1-3 pm

Come by for an open-ended, creative play session at the park. We provide a variety of nature-based activities to encourage meaningful experiences in nature. Children will learn about the world through nature exploration, active games, and crafts. Free, no registration required.

Matt Maupin Memorial Fishing Derby for Kids
Pattison Park Lakeside
Saturday May 13 from 10-1 pm

Bring a fishing pole and join us for a day of fishing and fun presented by the Clermont Park District and East Fork Bass Anglers. Fishing Contests are from 11 am to 12:30 pm and are intended for ages 15 and under. Free, no registration required.

History Walking Tour
Chilo Lock 34 Park River History Museum
Saturday, May 13 at 2 pm

Come take a guided tour of the Ohio River Museum at Chilo Lock 34 Park! Connect with this unique facility, see how the river has changed, and learn about the history of living and working on the Ohio River. Free, no registration required.

Back to Nature: Animal Folklore
Kelley Nature Preserve
Saturday, May 13 at 3 pm

Learn about the wildlife that has lived in Ohio's past and present, as we interact with live animals, discuss biofacts, and walk through the forest. We'll also dive into topics surrounding traditional beliefs, customs, and stories surrounding these animals. Free, no registration required.

Budding Birders
Chilo Lock 34 Park
Sunday, May 14 at 9:30 am

Birding is a wonderful way to get kids outside to learn and have fun! We'll listen for bird calls, use binoculars to see birds up close, and feel feathers during a bird scavenger hunt at the park. Free, no registration required.

Critter Feeding
Park District Headquarters – Interpretive Office
Sunday Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

Stop by to see our cold-blooded critters eat their lunch and learn what local wildlife do to survive the winter. Learn the unique stories of our animals and maybe YOU can help feed one of them! Program will be held indoors. Interpretive office is located at 2156 US Hwy 50, Batavia, Ohio, at the back of the building. All ages. Free, no registration required.

Knee-High Naturalists: Habitats
Chilo Lock 34 Park
Thursday May 18 at 10 am

Listen to a story, have a mini-adventure, and make your own craft take home. Program will be outdoors. Designed for ages 3 to 5, all kids welcome. Free, no registration required.

Trail Encounter Tuesdays: Predators vs Prey
Nisbet Park
Tuesday May 23 from 3:30-5:30 pm

What makes a coyote or owl a good hunter? How do rabbits and mice avoid being caught? Drop by to meet some live Ohio animals, make a craft, and have a mini adventure. Free, no registration required.

Nature Nights: Bats
Kathryn Stagge-Marr Park
Wednesday May 24 from 8:30-10 pm

Enjoy nature in a different way by exploring the sights and sounds of nightfall. This month, we will meet a live bat, then take a hike to look and listen for bats along the trail. Free, no registration required.

Homeschool Discovery Day: Animal Babies
Sycamore Park
Friday May 26 at 10 am and 1 pm

Explore the similarities and differences between animal babies nad their parents. We will meet live animals, explore the park to look for young animal habitats, and delve into some hands-on activities. Best for ages 6 through 13. Free, register here.

Morning Nature Walk
Chilo Lock 34 Park
Saturday, May 27 from 9-10am

Take a walk with a naturalist through Crooked Run Nature Preserve to see flowers in bloom, signs of wildlife, and happenings along the river! The hike will be approximately 1.2 miles, trails are mostly flat but not accessible. Meet in the east parking lot near the yurts. Free, no registration required.

Nature Crafts: Making Paper
Clingman Park
April 23 at 1pm

Create pigments from natural materials, forage for plants that can be used for pigment, and create artwork using the paints you make. Free, register here.

Volunteer Opportunities

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!

Get Your Group Started!

Clermont County Parks

2156 U.S. Highway 50, Batavia
United States of America

Unsubscribe