GRANVILLE, OHIO (March 7, 2023) The Licking Park District’s Volunteer of the Year award recognizes individuals who exhibit enthusiasm for their volunteer service, leadership characteristics for the projects they lead, and willingness to promote volunteerism in others. The Licking Park District proudly names Bill Fleitz our Volunteer of the Year for 2022!
GRANVILLE, OHIO (September 8, 2022) The Board of Park Commissioners announces the appointment of Kyle Lund as the new Director of the Licking Park District. Kyle has an extensive background in park and recreation operations, having served 19 ½ years with the City of Groveport, Ohio; the first 7 years as the Parks and Recreation Director, and the last 12 ½ years as the Recreation Director.
GRANVILLE, OHIO (September 8, 2021) The Licking Park District (LPD) held a dedication ceremony on August 27th honoring long time volunteer, Rosanna Moore. Rosanna’s generous contribution paid for construction of the shelter at the Lobdell Disc Golf Course in Alexandria. She cared about the Licking Park District and volunteered many hours to make the parks a better place to visit and enjoy.
GRANVILLE, OHIO (September 2, 2021) Construction on the first phase of the Nature Playscape at Infirmary Mound Park began in early August. Natural playgrounds are a growing trend in the field of parks and recreation. These outdoor spaces are carefully created to facilitate unstructured play in a way that encourages creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning in nature. Research has found children show greater improved physical fitness, social and cognitive benefits as compared to traditional playgrounds.The overall playscape design was inspired by Granville’s Effigy Mound, an important part of the cultural history of Licking County. Like the mound, the playscape layout is long and narrow with 10 destination playscape elements along its length.
GRANVILLE, OHIO GRANVILLE, OHIO (July 15, 2021) The Licking Park District continues to collaborate with our municipal partners in Newark. We recently completed four bike trail paving projects and an asphalt sealing project.
Two sections of the TJ Evans bike trails in Newark were paved in June. The entire trail from W Main St in Newark to SR 16 (9,768 LnFt) in the Newark corp limit was paved, as well as a section from the historic iron bridge behind the Cherry Valley Hotel to the Gib and Lou Reese bridge over SR 16 (11,669 LnFt). In addition, the Licking Park District paved the TJE trail to the Granville corp limit near Maple Grove Cemetery and a section from Raccoon Valley Rd to Mounts Rd. In total, 5.5 miles of trails were paved in 2021. This compliments 4.5 miles paved in 2020.
GRANVILLE, OHIO (March 12, 2021) The Adopt-A-Trail program was developed by the Licking Park District to promote environmental stewardship by bringing community members and organizations together to protect and maintain the natural beauty of our trails and parks.
GRANVILLE, OHIO (January 19, 2021) A pilot study to assess the presence/absence of bobcats, red fox, gray fox, and coyotes within Licking County was recently led by Dr. Shauna L. Weyrauch of the Ohio State University at Newark. Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in particular were of interest as they are a recovering species in Ohio after being extirpated in the mid-1800s. Currently little is known about their abundance and distribution within Licking County, which sits on the north-west edge of their range. Multiple parks managed by the Licking Park District were selected for observation using non-baited camera trapping stations set up along game trails.
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.