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March 31, 2023
Contact:
Dominique Shank, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 614-512-0049 (cell)
Media Package: Promoting Earth Day, Arbor Day and Conservation in April
COLUMBUS – At Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, we celebrate Earth Day all month long!
With Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 29), April is a great time of year to celebrate our natural environment, and invest in nature and conservation. There are several community activities and opportunities to educate residents about the importance of investing in our natural environment and celebrate how nature enhances our community.
Fish Stocking: Did you know more than 84,000 rainbow trout are released every spring in public lakes and ponds across Ohio? Thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, more Columbus park ponds will be stocked with fish for families to catch and eat this spring. Bring your fishing pole and some bait; the rainbow trout do not survive in warm weather temperatures so anglers are encouraged to fish for them this spring. In addition to being fun, fishing is an excellent way for students to learn more about enjoying the great outdoors!
Stocking dates include:
- March 31 – Franklin Park Pond, Linden Park Pond, Westgate Park Pond, Whetstone Park Pond
- April 7 – Antrim Lake
- April 10 – Goodale Park Pond, Schiller Park Pond
- April 12 – Krumm Park Pond
- April 21 – Franklin Park Pond, Westgate Park Pond, Whetstone Park Pond, Linden Park Pond
Earth Day Celebration: Celebrate Earth Day with the department! Join us Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m.-noon at Linden Community Center. At this family-friendly event, you can plant pollinators and trees; register to volunteer. You can also stop by to go fishing, learn about conservation through educational activities and more! A media advisory with more details will be sent closer to the event.
Arbor Day Event: Celebrate the many benefits trees offer at the department’s Arbor Day event. Join us Friday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at Barack Community Center. A media advisory with more details will be sent closer to the event.
COSI Science Festival BioBlitz: Families, friends and individuals are invited to this family-friendly at McKnight Outdoor Education Center on Wednesday, May 3, from 5-7 p.m. We will be canoeing, kayaking, hiking and using iNaturalist to record what bugs, birds and other animals we find. Paddling events are registration only- children must be accompanied by an adult in their boat. McKnight is located at 3200 Indian Village Road.
National Volunteer Week: Volunteering is a great way to give back while connecting with others, and take part in preserving our natural environment. During National Volunteer Week (April 16-22), we celebrate the volunteers who help advance the department’s conservation efforts. Last year, 11,989 volunteers spent 116,142 hours investing back in Columbus, including litter clean-ups and park beautification projects at many of the city’s 410 parks. This was a monetary value of $3.5 million! Other volunteer options include coaching and officiating sports, volunteering at golf courses or working with the Therapeutic Recreation program. Learn more about volunteering with the department!
***MEDIA AVAILABLITY: INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES***
Several department experts are available to talk about Earth Day, Arbor Day, and the importance of conserving and protecting our natural environment. Along with these celebrations, spring break is a great time to educate students about conservation in a fun way.
- Rosalie Hendon is available to talk about trees and conservation. Rosalie is an environmental planner and the project manager for the City’s first Urban Forestry Master Plan.
- City Forester Steve Horhut is able to talk about the importance of trees as well as tips on planting and caring for trees.
- Outdoor Recreation Administrative Manager Kasey Unser is available to share ways to get kids active outdoors.
To learn more about Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, visit ColumbusRecParks.com.
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