Governor Ted Strickland signed legislation last week that increased the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in Ashtabula County from 9.9 to 20 horsepower. The new rule was part of a comprehensive package of boater safety laws. 6/16/08

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Springtime brought the return of construction workers to the harbor basin at Middle Bass Island State Park in Lake Erie. Closed since October 1, the harbor is slated to undergo $4 million in renovations before reopening to boaters in the 2009 recreational season. 5/22/08

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Ohio State Parks, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will conduct seat belt use surveys and focused enforcement of traffic laws in selected state parks this summer. The traffic safety "blitz" campaign will begin with the Memorial Day weekend and continue on selected weekends throughout the recreational season. 5/20/08

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Children learning about wildlife and nature along a state park trailway, near a creek, around the campfire or at a naturalist program is the theme of the Ohio State Parks 2008 Photo Contest - part of the statewide "Explore the Outdoors" campaign. 5/19/08

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Occupancy-sensing thermostats, heat-trapping swimming pool covers and solar window films are all part of a new “green” initiative in the Ohio State Park resort lodges aimed at saving energy and resources. 5/15/08

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With the arrival of hot, sunny weather, Ohio State Parks remind adult visitors to keep an eye on children in their charge when they go swimming. This is the central message of SwimSafe! 5/13/08

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Sunbury-area resident Ron Kus, business group manager for Ohio State Parks, has received the park system’s Leadership Award for 2007.

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A group of employees from Barkcamp State Park in Belmont County received Ohio State Parks' 2007 "Cutting Edge Award" on Tuesday for establishing a cost-effective sign shop to serve the needs of the system's 73 other facilities.

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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.

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Award Photos

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In preparation for the 38th annual observance of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, ODNR reminds everyone of numerous opportunities in the upcoming weeks to lend a hand in cleaning up nearby state parks and nature preserves.

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Now is the time to reserve a room and a round of golf at one of six championship-quality 18-hole courses in Ohio State Parks.

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Spring is birdwatching time in Ohio, when hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts grab their binoculars and field guides and head for wetlands, lake shores and forests to catch a glimpse of the visiting migrants.

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Spring has arrived and Ohio's landscape will soon be teeming with color as vibrant wildflowers begin to pop up in fields, valleys and forests, along roadsides and trails, and in yards around the state. But perhaps the best places to see these beautiful displays are in state parks and state nature preserves.

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The North Pool Boat Launch Ramp at Caesar Creek State Park in Warren County will close for the upcoming recreational season while workers upgrade and expand the popular recreational facility. The launch ramp will close April 1 and remain closed through the Labor Day weekend.

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Sub-freezing nights and mild days start the sap flowing in Ohio's maple trees, signaling maple syrup festival time in some Ohio State Parks. Five parks will hold maple syrup festivals in coming weeks.

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Leadership of the state park system through difficult economic times, as well as a personal dedication to the system’s employees, has earned Ohio State Parks Chief Daniel L. West the “Professional Of The Year” award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA).

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Snowmobilers, skaters and anglers who might be tempted onto the Portage Lakes ice this winter are advised by ODNR to exercise particular caution. An unseasonable flow of water through the Portage Lakes, the result of high lake levels due to recent rainfalls and subsequent freezing, may cause air pockets between the water level and ice.

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Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will join Sean D. Logan, director ODNR, and others at the 43rd Annual Hocking Hills State Park Winter Hike on Saturday, January 19.

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The spectacular scenery of Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio will be clothed in its seasonal beauty for the 43rd Annual Winter Hike, scheduled for Saturday, January 19.

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