Trail Mail
     Friends of the Little Miami State Park    
       www.littlemiamistatepark.org       
In This Issue
National Volunteer Week!
Kings Mills Bridge Replacement
Recent Trail Work
Trail Closings & Alerts
Events: May = Cycling!
New Ohio to Erie Trail Touring Guide
Blooming Now
Trees Go To Pot(s)

As ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer continue to fall in our park, a new generation of native trees is taking their place thanks to the reforestation efforts of FLMSP volunteers. 
On April 9, a crew of 12 prepped and potted an incredible 448 baby bare-root trees in FLMSP Reforestation leader Rick Forrester's backyard.

"It was a great day to pot the trees with beautiful sunshine and everyone jumped right in to work efficiently and effectively," said Rick. "Our efforts started at noon and lasted until we ran out of pots around 3:30."

National Volunteer Week

April 23-29 is National Volunteer Week! We always appreciate our super FLMSP volunteers, but this week especially we celebrate all your varied contributions and hard work. 

If you're not yet volunteering, what are you waiting for? Spring is a great time to start. Whether you post photos on a kiosk, clean up storm debris, write an article, paint mile markers or plant trees, volunteering with the Friends means getting dirty and loving it. It's reckless giving for the joy of it, it's exercise for the body, mind, and heart, and it's knowing someone else enjoys life a little more because you've done something worthwhile. 

Elizabeth Andrew has said, " Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." Give a bit of your heart to our trail and park and discover how your world grows a little bigger and brighter. Find out more on our website volunteer page, or send an email to [email protected] and let John, our volunteer coordinator, help you find your niche.
 
Kings Mills Bridge Replacement
The Warren County Engineers Office invites the public to an Open House to learn about future replacement of the King Ave. bridge across the Little Miami River, next to the trail by Peters Cartridge Factory in Kings Mills. 

Tuesday, April 25
4:30 - 7:00 p.m. (visit any time during these hours)
Kings Jr. High School Multipurpose Room


Recent Trail Work
Safer Intersection

Dedicated FLMSP volunteer Bruce Cortright cleared the trail intersection at Lincoln Rd. in Camp Denison to improve visibility for cyclists and motorists.
 

Fence Repair

The FLMSP Fence Crew, led by Rich Easterly, is replacing a fence at mile marker 31.5 south of Morrow. On April 14, their first day on the project, they dug and placed three of the uprights. 
 

Friends of the Little Miami State Park is a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation and enhancement of the Little Miami State Park. We assist the Ohio Department of Natural Resources with development planning, capital improvements, and safety concerns, as well as providing most of the maintenance of the park. 
 
Annual Meeting
Friends of the Little Miami State Park members: have you registered yet
 for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 30? We'll be electing new board members, reviewing last year's projects, and talking about trail improvements for 2017.

Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, May 10
 7:00 p.m.

Hamilton Twp Community Center
Public Invited!
 
Trail Closings & Alerts
Under I-71 Bridge
 
April 23, from 6:30 a.m. until about 8:30 a.m., the trail under the Jeremiah Morrow I-71 Bridge will be closed between SR 350 and Wilmington Rd. for demolition of the old bridge.

Terrace Park to Loveland
 
Repaving begins at the southern end of the trail on
April 24 and will continue for up to 2 weeks.
The trail will be closed where the crew is working. Check littlemiamistatepark.org for updated closure information.

Quick Links

 
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Events: May = Cycling!

Ohio Bicycling Summit: May 2, 2017 in the Statehouse atrium, Columbus. More Info

Miami Valley Cycling Summit: May 5, 2017 at Wright State University, Dayton. More Info

MVCS Summit Century Ride: May 6, Greene County Fairgrounds Rec Center in Xenia. Ride in the 100-Mile Century Ride or the 62-Mile Century Ride that will travel from Xenia down the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Loveland and return to the FRC. More Info

International Trails Symposium: May 7-10, 2017, Dayton. More Info

Ohio to Erie Trail Adventure Ride: Sept. 9-15. Ride the 320-mile Ohio Bike Route 1 from Cincinnati to Cleveland with full support and overnight hotel stays. Limited to 40 cyclists. See
for details and registration.

New Ohio to Erie Trail Touring Guide

The 2017 Ohio to Erie Trail Guide includes updated maps that are more user-friendly, and trail services along the route. You can order yours here.
Contact Numbers
Trail Hotline:
513-212-6958
Report trees or large limbs down on the trail. A photo with location is most helpful.

Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources
24-Hour Call Center:
#ODNR
Report graffiti, vandalism, or park management issues

Blooming Now
Redbud trees, native to southern Ohio, flower in April long before they have leaves. As a member of the bean family, they have heart-shaped leaves and produce seed-bearing brown pods in late spring after the pink flowers are gone.