Planting for Success: 2021 Recap

by Rick Forrester
FLMSP Reforestation Leader

With all the issues in our world this past year, it is nice to know we were able to safely work and socially distance down on the trail to accomplish our 2021 goal of planting over 300 native Ohio trees and shrubs. Nineteen different species were planted this year and the total number of volunteers hours logged on reforestation was 143.  Trees and shrubs were purchased early in the year from Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and FLMSP also received a generous donation of oak trees from the Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship.  Trees and shrubs were potted up April 11 for planting late in the year.  Four areas were targeted for planting:  Corwin (32 mile marker where a large number of dead ash trees had been removed), north of Grandin (36mm), south of Fosters (38 mm), and south of Beech Road (46 mm).  Planting took place over thirteen fun work sessions which included home-made cookies and occasional railroad and sea shanty music.

The following tree and shrub species were planted: 2021 tree planting partially loaded truck 400

Buttonbush -3

Ninebark – 8

Black Cherry – 25

Oak, Burr – 5

White Flowering Dogwood - 32

Oak, Red – 35

Elderberry – 25

Oak, Swamp White – 47

Hazelnut – 5

Redbud – 35

Honeylocust -5

Shadblow Serviceberry – 25

Maple, Red – 3

Spice bush – 3

Maple, Silver – 40

Sycamore – 4

Maple, Sugar – 3

Tulip Poplar - 5

Nannyberry- 5

Total trees and shrubs - 313

As always, the species planted were in accordance with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Guidelines for Native Ohio Tree, Low-growing Tree and Shrub, and Grass Species Suitable for Planting within 1000 feet of State Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers.

Safe Trails: Thank You, Friends!

by Erick Wikum

Flashing stop

On November 14, the Friends of the Little Miami State Park held its 2021 annual meeting at the Christian Waldschmidt Homestead Museum in Camp Dennison, in sight of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. President Steve Murphy displayed a list of the Friends’ priorities, a list topped by safety. Murphy recounted several of the Friends’ recent safety-related initiatives including installing flashing, solar-powered stop signs to warn trail users approaching a few high-risk intersections.
 
The progress that FLMSP has made to make the trail safer, especially over the past two years, is hard to miss. In addition to the aforementioned flashing stop signs, the Friends contributed to trail crossing signs to alert motorists and to reflective paint “ladders” across intersecting roads. The Friends also introduced a trail sentinel program. Sentinels patrol the trail, identifying and reporting dangers and helping trail users who need assistance.
 
By supporting FLMSP, you can play a role in its ongoing trail safety effort. Here are three ways you can help.
 
  1. Join: Click here to become a member of the Friends and to donate towards its mission.
  2. Volunteer: Click here to volunteer to assist the Friends, whether on or off of the trail.
  3. Give thanks: Email a thank you note to the Friends at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

We are so fortunate to have a resource like the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The Friends’ mission is to ensure that we not only can enjoy the trail, but can enjoy it safely. Thank you, Friends!

 

November 2021

Just Tooling Around: Foster Cache Makeover

Over the course of several weeks, FLMSP's tool cache at Foster got an Extreme Makeover!

Before: Leaky, moldy walls
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover moldy walls before 600

First step was to take everything out:
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover everything out 600

Next, two coats--6 gallons--of masonry paint:
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover painting 600

The old falling-apart shelving unit was replaced with a stainless steel five-rack unit, old railroad electrical cables were cut off at ground level (trip hazard), rocks were removed from the old gravel, and pea gravel was added to make a nicer walking surface.

Here's Carl rewiring the solar panel light fixture:
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover rewiring solar light 600

After: The results of all that work
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover after 600
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover after2 600
2021.10 FosterCacheMakeover after3 600

November 2021 

Our Partners

120 ODNR logo

OTETrail 115

Tri StateTrails logo150x52

 

 
 
 
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