Projects
Thanks to individual donors, grantors, and corporate sponsors, the Ohio State Parks Foundation funded multiple projects in 2024. Projects included:
- Pollinator sensory path at Indian Lake National Park
- Accessible playgrounds at Lake Loramie, Delaware and Strouds Run State Parks
- Accessible kayak launch at Alum Creek State Park
- Haiku Trail at Van Buren State Park
- Water bottle filling stations at John Bryan State Park
- Coming in 2025 – accessible beach access and a kayak launch at Strouds Run.
Events
In addition to the annual Kick-off to Summer event held each year at the Alum Creek Marina, the foundation co-hosted a Pollinator Power event with the Aviation Energy Center in September at John Bryan State Park. The event featured Doug Tallamy as the keynote speaker. Doug is a Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 106 research publications and has taught insect-related courses for 41 years as the keynote speaker. The event opened up with a presentation about how ODNR and the Foundation are working together to make Ohio State Parks more sustainable. Attendees enjoyed vendor exhibits, including The Ohio State University Bug Bus and a kids craft table hosted by Aviation Energy Center.
Doug Tallamy presents at the Pollination Power Fest in 2024.
OSPF shared a spot at the Ohio State Fair’s Natural Resources Park with RV Wholesalers, an official sponsor of Ohio State Parks. Fair-goers enjoyed taking a break from the heat while touring the air-conditioned RV.
Thank you to this generous donor who visited the OSPF table at the Ohio State Fair
Membership
Supporters of the foundation now have the option of joining as a Heart of Parks member. This annual membership program launched in spring of 2024 and members are eligible for OSPF-branded gifts (free with membership) and contests which included tickets to the Ohio State Fair, and lodging with Ohio State Parks lodges and other partner lodging locations.
Board members Clyde Gosnell (right), and Governor Bob Taft (1999-2007, center), meet with Heart of the Parks Members.
Plans for 2025 include multiple accessible playgrounds and kayak launches throughout the Ohio State Parks’ 76 locations in addition to projects that support health and wellness, sustainability, and education.
We can’t accomplish all this without our supporters! Please join us in making our parks more welcoming to all!
