COLUMBUS, OH Successful volunteer efforts at West Branch State Park in Portage County during the last year earned the park recognition as Ohio State Parks’ “Volunteer Park of the Year,” according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
In recent years, West Branch State Park has taken on a whole new appearance, including a new campground, and its volunteers have played a large role in keeping the park beautiful. The volunteers were commended for being well organized and using a productive team approach to make good things happen throughout the park.
“At a time when our parks system has experienced cutbacks, we appreciate the hard work and dedication of our quality volunteers even more,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “The volunteers at West Branch go above and beyond and show a true affection for the park.”
Lake Milton State Park in Mahoning County, Mt. Gilead State Park in Morrow County, and Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County also received honorable mentions for their volunteer activities in 2005.
Volunteers at West Branch contributed a total of 10,029 hours in service to the park last year. In 2005, some 6,000 volunteers worked in Ohio State Parks, contributing more than 300,000 hours of service.
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
John Wilder, center, manager of West Branch State Park, receives Ohio State Parks Volunteer Award from state parks chief Dan West, right. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sam Speck is at left.