Latest news with #MetroParks
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oil spill cleanup underway at Quarry Trail park
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Visitors to Quarry Trails Metro Park on Mother's Day noticed an oily substance in the water and were greeted with signs that read 'no fishing' and 'stay out of water.' Sunday's weather was some of the nicest in central Ohio so far in 2025, and it was the Metro Park's busiest day of the year. Ohio State women's basketball coach charged with OVI Jill Snyder, visitor engagement manager with Metro Parks, said the ranger who opened the park Sunday noticed a 'black substance' in the water near Millikin Falls. She said park management contacted the Ohio EPA and followed spill protocols immediately. 'The goal was that we didn't want it to go farther,' Snyder said. 'Here at Quarry Trails, we are near, this is Millikan Falls behind me, and Millikan Ditch goes into the Scioto River, and so, we wanted to keep it out of the river as much as possible.' That protocol involved contacting the City of Columbus, which then investigates the nature of the spill and where it could have possibly originated. 'They found a spot where they think that someone dumped some used motor oil into a storm drain, and that's what washed downstream,' Snyder said. 'Given how far it spread and how much there was, it could be around 30 gallons of oil.' OSU looking for those with early Alzheimer's to participate in study Waddles – long snake-like tubes used to soak up oil and other substances in the water — were then placed in several locations along the stream, including at the bottom of Millikin Falls and subsequently in the stream before it pours into the ponds at Quarry Trails. Until it is clear, the park is asking that no one get into the water for any activities or to fish in the water. 'We definitely put up a lot of signs in hopes that people do the right thing,' Snyder said. 'We had a lot of rangers here, and part of it is just to educate, because most of the time when you see a sign, you don't know, why not? We've got no paddling and no fishing in a few spots and some of that is just to kind of keep it contained until we get it all cleaned up. Nobody wants to be catching a fish or doing anything like that and running into oil, and the biggest challenge is really to the wildlife.' Oil spills in water can cause acute toxicity in fish and eggs along with growth defects if exposed for a period of time. Snyder wants to use this as an educational opportunity to show what can happen if chemicals and toxic substances aren't disposed of properly. Program gives Columbus police recruits exposure to community 'People don't understand that those storm drains and what we often call the gutter or the sewer in our neighborhoods, those don't go somewhere to get cleaned up. They come right here,' she said. According to the EPA, negligent dumping of materials like oil into waterways can lead to Federal crimes resulting in a minimum fine of $2,500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Metro Parks seeks community feedback on potential names for new North Nashville park
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro Parks wants your help determining the name of a new park coming to a North Nashville neighborhood. For over a year, the Metro Parks and Recreation Department has been working on plans for a brand new, 59-acre park located near the intersection of West Trinity Lane and Whites Creek Pike. The first informational meeting was held on May 30, 2024, at the Hartman Regional Community Center with Parks officials and representatives from design team Gresham Smith. According to documents from the presentation, some possible items that could be included in the park include adult fitness equipment stations, different kinds of playgrounds for children, trailhead signage, restroom screening and access trails. According to Metro District 2 Councilwoman Kyontze Toombs, the main entrance for the new park will be on Aldrich Lane next to Parkwood Ballpark off Ewing Drive. The southern portion of the park will have a walking entrance from the Trinity Hills neighborhood. Franklin Pride returns to the Park at Harlinsdale Farm for 5th year Toombs told News 2 the original idea of putting a park in that area was actually first broached several years ago, when Habitat for Humanity started establishing its affordable homes. In an agreement with Metro, Habitat was able to purchase some of the land in question with the understanding they would turn 6 acres of it into parkland to be deeded back to Metro. Metro, in turn, would use those 6 acres plus another 53 acres of city-owned land in the Trinity Hills area into a green space. After several years, those plans are finally coming close to fruition, according to Toombs. 'There's a growing need or desire in the community to have even more green spaces and options to get out and enjoy neighborhoods,' she said. 'Before I got into office there was a desire to keep that space green, because there's creeks there, there's an endangered salamander species that folks want to preserve.' Keeping the land as a city park not only preserves that endangered salamander species; it also prevents higher-density development in a largely single-family residential neighborhood of Nashville, Toombs added. 'It's mostly a single-family area, and just as the area grows, they're just wanting to preserve as much green space as possible, space that folks can get out and enjoy and not just be surrounded by new construction,' she told News 2. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More While still in the design phase, Metro Parks officials have opened up an opinion survey for potential names of the park. According to the survey, four names are considered contenders for the new park: Trinity Hills Park – named for the neighborhood area Senator Thelma Harper Park – named for the first African-American woman to serve as a state senator in Tennessee and the longest-serving state senator in Tennessee history, who was a resident of the neighborhood Salamander Park – named for the endangered salamander species that resides in the park area A. Barbouri Park – named for the specific endangered species of salamander in the area, Ambystoma Barbouri Neighborhood residents who fill out the survey will be asked to rank those four options in order of preference. Additionally, they will also have an option to submit an alternative name suggestion. If residents opt to submit an alternative name, they must also include an explanation and/or background information supporting the submission. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County If residents want to submit the name of an individual, they must not be currently living, according to the survey. Any names submitted will be 'thoroughly vetted' by the Metro Parks Board Naming Committee. The feedback from the survey will be used by Parks officials, and the final name selection will ultimately come from the Naming Committee and voted on by the Metro Parks Board, according to the survey. 'There's a lot of opportunities coming to the area for folks to have a lot of green space to enjoy, to get out and walk, bike, exercise, bring their kids to the playground, have family gatherings—there's going to be plenty of space to do it in,' Toombs told News 2. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local teachers recognized for nature-focused education efforts
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Four local teachers were recognized by Five Rivers MetroParks for incorporating nature into their classrooms and encouraging students to explore the natural world. The OUTstanding Teacher Awards honored Dan Palmer, John F. Kennedy Elementary; Patricia Lewis, Roosevelt Elementary; Shari Litte, Fairborn Digital Academy; and René Hick, Learning Tree Farm Nature Preschool. 'Nature is so foundational to many of the disciplines that are taught in school, from science to art,' said MetroParks Outdoor Education Coordinator Pam Lyons Gromen. 'The teachers who are making it a priority for kids to experience nature today are ensuring both their students and the environment have a better future.' Dan Palmer, John F. Kennedy Elementary, Kettering City Schools, Lifetime Achievement Award (More than 20 years of teaching experience) Dan Palmer led a trout-raising project for his third-grade students. The kids were able to learn about the life cycle of fish by raising trout from eggs in his classroom. Then, they were able to go on a field trip to release the fish into a local stream. Palmer often creates opportunities for his students to learn about nature, using hikes, field trips and immersive lessons to encourage them to explore. Patricia Lewis, Roosevelt Elementary, Dayton Public Schools, Leader Award (10 to 20 years of teaching experience) Lewis teaches her second graders to appreciate and respect nature by taking them outside as often as possible. Her kids learn about science through gardening. Lewis established a community garden in which students grow fruits and vegetables. This produce is used in lessons and also donated to families within the school. To work around the fact that students are often not in school durning summer, Lewis uses a greenhouse, where students can learn about hydroponic systems. Shari Little, Fairborn Digital Academy, Rising Star Award (Less than 10 years teaching experience) Little is an art teacher and a gardener who brings nature into her students' lessons. Most of Fairborn Digital Academy's core curriculum is online, but students can visit the campus for tutoring and support. Little's garden encourages the students to visit the campus through her gardening class. This class teaches the kids vital life skills. Little's art is based on nature and displayed throughout the school. René Hick, Learning Tree Farm Nature Preschool, Early Childhood Education Award. (Three years teaching experience.) Hick is the first to receive an OUTstanding Teacher Award in the Early Childhood Education category. She is a director and lead teacher at Learning Tree Farm. Her students enjoy nature walks and learn about wildlife. Hick works to support other preschools and share opportunities with them to experience nature. Thousands of new fish introduced to Deer Meadow Pond These teachers were given an awards package containing: Natural educational materials Items for their school's outdoor learning space EECO (Environmental Education Council of Ohio) membership and money to use toward the 101 Conference at Camp Kern. A one-year membership to the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation and transportation for their class for a field trip to Cox Arboretum MetroPark. The OUTstanding Teacher Awards are funded through the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation. Community volunteers, with a background in outdoor education, judge and choose to winners. To learn more about the OUTstanding Teacher Awards, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mill Creek MetroParks hosts baby shower for farm animals
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) — A baby shower for farm animals took place in Canfield Saturday. Mill Creek MetroParks welcomed the community for their annual Farm Animal Baby Shower. Families were able to see the new arrivals at the MetroParks farm on Columbiana-Canfield Road. There were goats, piglets, cows, chicks and ducklings — along with some of the mother animals who are still expecting. Attendees could also watch a sheep being sheared and learn about wool, as well as take a ride on the tractor wagon to tour the farm. The event aims to bring the community together every year. The baby shower has been going on since the 90s. 'You know, it is really great. It's a nostalgic thing that we do and it really makes us very happy that we're able to provide this to the community and that it is so well loved that people come back year after year, and some people you know, have brought their kids here and now they're bringing their grandkids here. So it is been going on for so many years and we're so proud and privileged that we're able to bring this to the community,' said Metroparks Community Engagement Director Jaime Yohman. If you would like to see the animals, the farm is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Starting in June, the barns will stay open until 5 p.m. through October. Tino DiCenso contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kettering celebrates Earth Day with community cleanup
KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) – According to a 2020 study there are nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along U.S. roadways and waterways, trapping wildlife, or even killing animals who mistake litter for food. On Tuesday, the city of Kettering came out to celebrate Earth Day by doing their small part in keeping communities clean, and showing how residents can do it in their own neighborhoods. MetroParks celebrating Earth Day with week full of events City leaders say Earth Day is a great reminder to care for the world around you, but cleaning up can happen year round. 'This is a great way for our residents and other people throughout the broader Miami Valley to get out, do something that's really easy to do,' said Dawn Kirchner, Kettering sustainability manager. 'This is a great way to make an impact within your community and farther out along our watersheds, which impact many people downstream.' Waste-Free Dayton worked in partnership with the city for this event, helping to clean up along Dorothy Lane Road, outside the City of Kettering Public Service Department building. 'Just happy to partner with the city of Kettering to do a cleanup on Earth Day. Usually we do a cleanup on a weekend day around Earth Day, but we also want to try to get out on Earth Day and do something tangible in the community,' said Brett Bogan, Waste-Free Dayton your neighborhood doesn't just make the area look nice, it has an impact on the value of your home.'When you have a cleaner, healthier neighborhood, people want to move there. So it does have an impact on property values and pride in the neighborhood. It becomes a place where other people want to live,' said Kirchner. Waste-Free Dayton will be holding a community cleanup on Saturday, and hold community cleanups once a month. You can find the information here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
