August 11 Butterfly release, photo by Carol CarrawayAugust 11 Butterfly release, photo by Carol CarrawayAugust 11 Butterfly release, photo by Carol CarrawayAugust 11 Butterfly release, photo by Carol CarrawayApproximately 300 attended the 4th annual Butterfly Release at MEPSue Saari explains how to raise butterflies

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 

 

 

2018 Oktoberfest!


Only 80 days until Oktoberfest! We need lots of fun, hard working volunteers to make our event a great experience for all who come. Click on the sign up link & pick your favorite volunteer slot. Thanks for your support!

To sign up please click here  

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

2018 MEP SUMMER NATURE SERIES & Introducing Casey Burdick!

Casey Burdick, Lebanon’s new Recreation and Natural Resources Coordinator, led July’s Nature Series program at MEP discussing Trees: Legends and Lore.  Attendees, whether a history buff or lover of folklore, learned something new.  From trees that withstood an atomic blast to the Tree of Life, Casey shared true accounts and fanciful stories about common yet remarkable trees grown in our yards, parks, and forest.  

Casey has been a resident of Lebanon for nine years and served on the Shade Tree Commission 8 years prior to taking on her new position with the City.  She has a bachelors in Forestry from Ohio State University and worked for the ODNR Division of Forestry for 13 years as a forester.  In her new position she manages the street tree program, plans and manages park improvement projects, farmer’s market, storm water management, coordinator for the recreational sport leagues, and serves as the liaison to the public for the Park and Recreation Board, Shade Tree Commission, and recreation related board, commissions, and volunteer groups.  Casey has enjoyed watching MEP grow over the past few years and can’t wait to watch it continue to improve in the future!

 

 

Shannon Russel coordinated tagging of butterflies

MEP CELEBRATED BUTTERFLIES

On August 11 at 9:30, Sue Saari presented a workshop on how to nurture butterflies by creating your very own Monarch butterfly farm.  She talked about what equipment is needed, what native plants Monarchs love, and what to expect along the way.  Attendees learned about the various stages of butterflies and butterfly houses were available for purchase. 

All of this was a prelude to the 11AM Lebanon Garden Club  4th Annual Monarch Butterfly Release at Miller Ecological Park.  The event is held each year at the beautiful Butterfly Garden and Mosaic created and tended by the Garden Club under the leadership of Mickie Marquis.  Butterflies were tagged ahead of the release so that their flight path can be monitored.

Miller Ecological Park Nature Programs

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.

To view 2018 Miller Eco Park Programming flyer: Click here

 

Mel and Emiko Moore at Friendship Garden

 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 was 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.

 As we were planting the Japanese character for "Friend"  in Miller Ecological Park, our friends in Matsunami Park planted the "F" for Friendship and "M" for Miller Park. Naomi Chiba wrote, "Flowers connect people around the world."

How true!

NEXT MEP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING:  Aug. 23, 2018 at 7:00PM at the City Building. Visitors Welcome!

 

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.