04-15-2008, 12:52 AM
COLUMBUS, OH - Successful volunteer efforts at Paint Creek State Park in Ross County earned it recognition as the 2007 "Volunteer Park of the Year" during the annual Ohio State Parks Managers Meeting on Tuesday.
"We know that with reduced resources, quality volunteers are an important asset to successful park operations," said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. "Without the volunteers assisting our staff every day, where would we be?"
Park manager Jeff Boester accepted the award on behalf of the park's 44 active volunteers. Over the years, these volunteers have constructed both a shelter house and a nature center for the 10,200-acre facility. Most recently, they raised money for a new playground at the park, as well as a deck on the nature center and an enclosure for the shelter house. Volunteers also helped the regular park staff install these new features.
Volunteers maintain the park's flowerbeds and organize many of Paint Creek's successful special events, including the Halloween Camp Out and the Huckleberry Finn Fest for young people. During 2007, volunteers donated almost 7,400 hours of service to Paint Creek.
State park volunteers donate their time in many ways, including providing campground host services, assisting park staff with building and maintaining trails, litter pickup and beautification projects, aiding naturalists with programs and animal care. Volunteer programs offer opportunities for people of all ages and interests to participate. To become a park volunteer, contact a nearby state park or visit ohiodnr.com
"We know that with reduced resources, quality volunteers are an important asset to successful park operations," said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. "Without the volunteers assisting our staff every day, where would we be?"
Park manager Jeff Boester accepted the award on behalf of the park's 44 active volunteers. Over the years, these volunteers have constructed both a shelter house and a nature center for the 10,200-acre facility. Most recently, they raised money for a new playground at the park, as well as a deck on the nature center and an enclosure for the shelter house. Volunteers also helped the regular park staff install these new features.
Volunteers maintain the park's flowerbeds and organize many of Paint Creek's successful special events, including the Halloween Camp Out and the Huckleberry Finn Fest for young people. During 2007, volunteers donated almost 7,400 hours of service to Paint Creek.
State park volunteers donate their time in many ways, including providing campground host services, assisting park staff with building and maintaining trails, litter pickup and beautification projects, aiding naturalists with programs and animal care. Volunteer programs offer opportunities for people of all ages and interests to participate. To become a park volunteer, contact a nearby state park or visit ohiodnr.com