September 2019 at Miller Ecological ParkMarketa and Zane at May Dedication EventButterfly Release 2019, Teaching the Children...A Highlight this year was the Dedication Event on May 4, 2019Take a peaceful walk along MEP TrailsGarden Club, Sponsoring Butterfly release at MEP

The Season is Bright at Miller Ecological Park

Located within walking distance of three Lebanon City Schools and along the City's bike path, the opportunities and benefits of developing The Will and Harriet Miller Park as an ecological park for passive recreational activities have inspired City administrators and planners, area school personnel, local businesses, service organizations, neighbors, and the Miller Family descendants to join together to make the idea become a reality.   To see picture titles, place your cursor on the picture. To view a map of the park: Click Here

Upcoming Events

October 12: Oktoberfest:  

Lebanon's 6th Annual Oktoberfest to benefit MILLER ECOLOGICAL PARK

 

October 16: Lebanon Parks Master Plan Open House

6-8pm at the Warren County Administration Building (See Article Below)

 

October 19: Science Behind the Fall Colors: 10AM, Miller Ecological Park, Free Program

November 9: Seeds on the Move: 10AM, Miller Ecological  Park, Free program

December 14: Discovery: 10 AM, Miller Ecological Park, Free Program

See article below for more information on Miller Ecological Park's Saturday Programs

Butterfly release 2019

BUTTERFLY RELEASE!!

The Butterfly Release held on August 10, 2019 was a huge success this year..According to Mickie Marquis and the Lebanon Garden Club who sponsored the event, there were close to 450 butterflies released and an estimated 1000+ visitors. What an awesome sight to see - the people and the butterflies.

Each year, the event calls more people to share the excitement and beauty.  Miller Ecological Park wants to thank the Lebanon Garden Club for their amazing Butterfly Garden and Mosaic and sponsoring this wonderful event which brings so many families and friends to experience Nature in Miller Ecological Park.

 "But most of all I shall remember the Monarchs, that unhurried westward drift of one small winged form after another, each drawn by some invisible force."  Rachel Carson on the flight of Monarchs toward Mexico from her home in Maine.

 

 

Sue Saari's Walk, September 14, 2019

Saturday Walk with Sue Saari

"What a blast we had!" On September14, 18 people came to Sue's program entitled "Mulching with Plants".  Sue gave everybody a paper bag, and sent them off on their own to pick whatever looked interesting.  They moseyed, most staying close to Will's Run, the prairie edge, and the Girl Scout Garden.  The group then met at the Katherine entrance shelter and spread out what they had gathered. So much good information came out: How to grow natives and create native gardens; Planting small plants vs. using mulch; Invasive plants vs. aggressive plants; Native plants vs. cultivated plants.  Sue said it was the best workshop she's ever taught!

NEXT MEP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: 

October 7at 7:00PM at the City Building. Please note, this meeting is on a Monday, a new day for our meetings.  Visitors are always Welcome!

 

September 2019, Rain Garden at MEP

PROGRAMS AT MEP Fall 2019

There is something exciting happening each month at Miller Ecological Park!  As winter approaches, please take a moment to check out the dedicated volunteer naturalists and friends of MEP who have once again prepared informative and educational programs on a variety of topics.  Don't miss these unique opportunites to be inspired and enlightened amidst our lovely MEP environs. The Miller Ecological Park Nature Workshop programs are all held on Saturdays at 10AM and free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend.  Programs will be held from 10-noon July through September--see the flyer below for dates.  Participants in the MEP Nature Programs will meet in the parking lot on Miller Road.

To view 2019 MEP Nature Program Schedule   Click here  Also, for updates or changes check Miller Ecological Park on Face Book.  Lebanon City Recreation and Natural Resource Coordinator: Casey Burdick

 

 

 

Miller Ecological Park, a unique experience

NEW MASTER PARKS PLAN FOR LEBANON

Miller Ecological Park fans...please share your ideas about Miller Ecological Park with the City of Lebanon. 

On October 16, 2019 from 6-8PM at the Warren County Administration Building at 406 Justice Drive, an open house will be held to review concept plans for 10 different parks and allow the public to make comments before plans are finalized.  The future of Miller Ecological Park will be one of those parks.

An on-line survey was conducted and has been used to determine how the City's Park System can be improved to better meet the needs  and desires of the Lebanon community.   

TREE DEDICATION AND CELEBRATION LUNCH

ON May 4 the Miller Ecological Park Steering Committee and Trustees held a Dedication Event for trees donated in memory of James Larson, Bill and Susan Stalter, Tommy Williamitis, Sumiko Tate, and Ellen and Tom Mullett. In addition, there was a special recognition of Scott Brunka, who has been our leader in the development of Miller Ecological Park.  Mike Mullett introduced the event with remarks which beautifully shared the Legacy of City, Community, and Family that Scott has encouraged over the past ten years. It is entitled "But For..."   Click here for text.

 

 

Friendship Garden

 MEP's Friendship Garden

Perhaps walking or running around the trails a Miller Ecological Park, you have notice the lovely Friendship Garden now more noticeable with a donated pagoda sculpture. Perhaps you have wondered about the significance. The Frienship Garden  is a living demonstration of the Friendship that has developed between Matsunami Playground in Ishinomaki and Miller Ecological Park.  Emiko, Mel, and Miya Moore from Lebanon raised money for a park in Ishinomaki after the Tsunami of 2011 destroyed the town.  Emiko's mother, Sumiko Yonemoto Tate, had grown up in that town and the family connections were strong. Miya had the idea of building a park in the Tsunami devastated town, and the family agreed knowing,  " A park is a place to feel a sense of normalcy after experiencing tremendous loss."  Soon afterward members of Miller Ecological Park realized there were a number of connections between the parks and reached out to form a Friendship connection.  The Moore's have created this beautiful, peaceful space at Miller Ecological Park in recognition of the Friendship. We hope in the future to expand the area. For more information on the connections between Matusunami Playground and MIller Ecological Park, Click here.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead