Outdoor notes – June 7

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ROAD IMPROVEMENTS SET – Improvements to the main road within Mohican-Memorial State Forest and Mohican State Park north of State Route 97 have been announced for this summer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Temporary closures will be in stages to make road improvements.

Mohican-Memorial State Forest and Mohican State Park are popular for visitors, and the road repairs will make for safe and improved access to the gorge overlook, fire tower, covered bridge, campgrounds and recreation trails.

During the week of June 15-19, the section of ODNR Road 58 from the covered bridge to the north entrance at the intersection with County Road 939 will be closed for repairs.

Beginning the week of July 6, sections of ODNR roads 51 and 58 will be closed in periodic intervals for milling, repairs and chip-seal work on areas of the roads near the gorge, the fire tower and the covered bridge. This work will be done in stages to minimize disruption to residents and recreational facilities.

Details about current roadwork and closures will be posted on the ODNR website at forestry.ohiodnr.gov.

RIBBON CUTTING HELD – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) held a ribbon cutting at East Fork State Park in Clermont County today to showcase improvements made at the park. East Fork State Park now features a new beach house and a new dock for hand-powered watercraft.

“This is one of the first of many projects being completed this summer at Ohio State Parks as we work to provide a better product for our park visitors,” said ODNR Director James Zehringer. “This is a great park in southwest Ohio, and these improvements will only enhance this park and better meet the needs of Ohioans in this part of the state.”

“We are thrilled to welcome back the USRowing Club National Championships and hope to attract similar events to the region as a result of this investment,” said Sen. Joe Uecker (Dist. 14). “The new facilities at East Fork State Park will be another economic driver for Clermont County and the surrounding areas.”

East Fork State Park is hosting the 2015 USRowing Club National Championships July 15-19. Previously, the USRowing Youth National Championships were held at Harsha Lake from 1995-2010, and the National Collegiate Rowing Championships were hosted at East Fork State Park from 1983-1996.

Other improvements at East Fork State Park will include making 12 of the campsites full service. Construction will begin in October and be completed before Memorial Day weekend in 2016 for the new camping season.

Ohio has 74 state parks, 56 with campgrounds and nine with lodge and conference centers. The Buckeye State is one of only seven states in the nation where admission to state parks is free. Many Ohio families and out-of-state residents turn to Ohio State Parks for hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, biking, disc golf, horseback riding and much more. Last year, there were a total of 2.3 million overnight stays in Ohio’s state park campgrounds, cabins and lodges. By continuing to improve our state parks system, we have the opportunity to showcase our facilities and draw more tourism dollars into Ohio.

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