Wild Blue Indigo, Photo by Dave WoehrBakyard Wildlife Workshop with Peggy and Donna: April 21 hikers in MEP wetlandBob Henn and his daughter volunteering at the Girl Scout Butterfly GardenBlack Willow, photo by Dave WoehrMiller Park Mallards, photo by Dave WoehrJim Ludwick presents Nature Photography workshop, photo by Dave Woehr Nature Photography Workshop, May 12 with Jim Ludwick

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 

 

Coming: 2018 Oktoberfest

Plans are underway, and volunteers are needed.   Please contact Jane Davis: janefdavis21@gmail.com

Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Photo by Dave Woehr

2018 MEP SUMMER NATURE SERIES

The Miller Ecological Park Nature Workshop programs are all held on Saturdays and free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend.  Programs will be held from 10-noon April-July and at 9:30-10:30 in August.  Participants in the MEP Nature Programs will meet in the parking lot on Miller Road.

2018 SUMMER NATURE SERIES AT MEP

May 12: 10-12:00: Nature Photography Secrets (Jim Ludwick)

June 9: 10-12:00: Bring Miller Home (Sue Saari)

July 14: 10-12:00: Trees: Legend and Lore (Casey Burdick)

August 11:9:30-10:30:  Monarch Butterfly Farming (Sue Saari)

To view Miller Eco Park Programming flyer: Click here

MEP CELEBRATES BUTTERFLIES

On August 11 at 9:30, Sue Saari will present a workshop on how to nurture butterflies by creating your very own Monarch butterfly farm.  She will talk about what equipment you will need, what native plants Monarchs love, and what to expect along the way.  You will learn about the various stages of butterflies to enjoy and butterfly houses will be available for purchase. 

All of this will be a prelude to the 11AM Lebanon Garden Club  4th Annual Monarch Butterfly Release at Miller Ecological Park.  The event is held at the beautiful Butterfly Garden and Mosaic created and tended by the Garden Club under the leadership of Mickie Marquis. 

 

 

Cherry Tree planted in Friendship area of MEP

 FRIENDSHIP PLANTING AT MEP

For several years, Miller Ecological Park has been building a relationship with Japan's Matsunami Park in Ishinomaki.  The Moore family of Lebanon led a project in the tsunami devastated city of Ishinomaki to build a playground. This city was the birthplace of Emiko's mother, Sumiko Tate, who was a longtime resident of Lebanon and lived right behind the Miller Family Farm. 

On June 9, there will be a flower planting at the Matsunami Park in Japan. The Friendship Committee of Miller Ecological Park Steering Committee is planning a flower planting  at Miller Ecological Park that same day as an act of Friendship.  An area of MEP has been set aside for Friendship Plantings and anyone who wishes to join us at 9:00AM on June 9 is more than welcome. We will meet at the shelter house off Katherine Road.

 

Why not choose to give where you live?

Consider a Pledged Gift to MEP

In order to maintain and improve Miller Ecological Park, the Miller Ecological Park Trustees are planning several fund raising programs in addition to our annual Oktoberfest.  Currently we are in need of upgrading the restrooms and expanding the parking lot.  One of the fund raising programs the Trustees have developed is recognition of major donors on the entry way feature. For those who choose to make contributions of $1,000 or more, their names will be added to entry way feature. 

This donation may be made through Warren County Foundation. Donors might consider a Pledged Donation and make payments in regular installments.    To see the agreement form for Pledge Donations  (click) 

We are also working on other ways to recognize donors, and we are looking at a stone or brick program.  If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact nmyerholtz@aol.com.

 

We do need more parking space at MEP

PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS  PLANNED

In the fall of 2017,  the City of Lebanon received word that Miller Ecological Park had received a $7,000 Nature Works Grant to increase the parking areas at Miller Ecological Park.  Since the cost of the project will be in the neighborhood of $50,000, Miller Ecological Park Trustees approved contributing $20,000 to the project, and  Lebanon City agreed to contribute the remaining costs. The new parking area will be adjacent to the existing one off Miller Road.  Much of the funding from MEP is the result of proceeds from the Lebanon Oktoberfest Festival.  

Plans are for the added parking area to be completed by 2019. 

The next Steering Committee Meeting of the Friends of Miller Ecological Park is June 14, 2018 at 7PM at the City Building.