News and Articles

GRANVILLE, OHIO (December 29, 2020) The Licking Park District (LPD) is seeking public input on a proposed extension to the Buckeye Scenic Trail. The extension would begin at the southern terminus of the existing Buckeye Scenic Trail at National Road (US 40) and run south to Christland Hills Rd. along Lancer Drive.

GRANVILLE, OHIO (November 17, 2020) The Licking Park District in conjunction with the Licking County Engineer’s office recently completed installation of thermoplastic mile markers on the TJ Evans trail from Johnstown to W Main St in Newark. The markings followed ODOT standards of starting from West to East. The marking began at the trailhead in Johnstown off Jersey St and continued for 14 miles to W. Main St in Newark.

GRANVILLE, OHIO The Licking Park District staff and volunteers have worked hard this year to maintain existing natural surface trails, re-route closed trails and add new trails at Lobdell.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was held November 24 to celebrate the recent work completed at the Lobdell Reserve, in Alexandria, a 210 acres reserve with 8 miles of trails and a championship caliber disc golf course.

GRANVILLE, OHIO (August 31, 2020) The Licking Park District has experienced increased park usage this season! People are looking for outdoor activities close to home and we have many parks and trails to enjoy.

Our parks remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with caution. We still encourage caution when visiting us. Playgrounds and restrooms are open. We ask that you bring wipes and masks and practice safe park usage. People have continued to ride horses, hike, mountain bike, walk their dogs and run in our parks.

Programming has continued, often using virtual methods to reach the public. These virtual programs include; Paint the Parks, Book Club and All About Plants. In-person programming (limited size groups) include Yoga, Tai Chi & Art in the Park. Visit our website for details.

GRANVILLE, OHIO (August 22, 2020)  The Licking Park District was joined by Licking County and Madison Township officials on August 6th, to officially dedicate the recently completed Staddens Landing. In addition to providing ease of access for kayaks and canoes, this boat ramp allows emergency personnel access for water rescues. It has been used 6 times for that purpose so far this year. Staddens Landing includes an off-road parking area that was completed in 2016.

GRANVILLE, OHIO (August 7, 2020)  The Newell Recreation Preserve was formally dedicated on July 17, 2020. The dedication was attended by approximately 50 people including Newell family members, Licking Park District Board of Park Directors, and many persons who helped make this preserve a reality. A special thanks to the Licking County Commissioners and the Licking County Planning Commission for taking the lead in the grant writing and purchase process.

GRANVILLE, OHIO (June 30, 2020)  The Licking Park District continues to collaborate with our municipal partners in Newark, Heath, Granville, and Johnstown. We recently completed four bike trail paving projects and are working on multiple trail slip repair projects.

Sections of the TJ Evans bike trails in Granville and Johnstown were paved the week of June 22nd.  The Licking Park District worked in partnership via agreements to maintain and improve the trail system within the boundaries of the Village of Granville and the Village of Johnstown. In addition, LPD paved over 3 miles of the trail between the two communities. LPD collaborated with the City of Heath to pave a trail near Hoback Park in May of this year via a similar maintenance agreement.  LPD is currently working with the City of Newark to address multiple slip repair projects within their jurisdiction.

The Licking Park District continuously monitors and makes improvements to your park system. Your tax levy dollars allow us to maintain and improve the park system.

Dreaming of Wildflowers, Licking Park District Partners with US Fish and Wildlife Service on a 32-acre Prairie Habitat Improvement Project at Infirmary Mound Park

GRANVILLE, OHIO (April 24, 2020) Visitors to Infirmary Mound Park (IMP) may wonder why the fields east of Rt. 37 have been cleared. These areas will be the location of a prairie habitat improvement project resulting from a partnership between the Licking Park District (LPD) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (USFWS-PFW). The roughly 32 acres of new grassland will provide critical habitat for pollinators, migratory grassland nesting birds, and other local wildlife species. Additionally it will provide accessible learning opportunities for park programming and a beautiful landscape to relax in for the many visitors who use the trails.

The villain: an edible plant that smells like garlic, can produce up to 8,000 seeds per plant, and is capable of taking over vast areas of woodland floor. Our mission: eradication.

Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, is a flowering plant in the mustard family native to Europe, western and central Asia and north-western Africa. It goes by many common names: hedge garlic, sauce-alone, jack-by-the-hedge, poor man’s mustard, jack- in-the-bush, garlic root, and mustard root.