Red tail hawkPeace-filled walk at MEP, photo by Peggy LoguePardon me if I use my photo...Bob Henn was the photographerBlack Swallowtail?Looking forward to winter snow...Bob Henn as snow angel

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 

 

Spring is here at last--come out to MEP and

 

see! 



 

 

  • A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 OKTOBERFEST SPONSORS:  Cincinnati Bell, SCU, Otterbein Senior Life, Home Depot, The Lebanon Opry House, LCBN, Ghent, Hoskins Funeral Homes, Go Natives Now, Buckeye ECOCARE, Minuteman Press, Cardinal, Henry Farms, McGinty Family, Miller-Myerholtz Family, Mike Mullett and Patti March, Miller Ecological Park Fund.  Funds from Oktoberfest provide much needed revenue for Miller Ecological Park!

 

Casey Burdick

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!

 

 

New feature on the sledding hill!

The Ohio Department of Transportation came to MEP at our invitation and did an official elevation measurement of "Miller Mountain," better known as the sledding hill. Using GPS technology they were able to determine the elevation of the hill is officially 883 feet!  To make sure this is known to all visitors, a  permanent marker was place at measurement site. Next time you are at the park, hike up to the top to check it out! A big thank you to Bob Henn, the Miller Park Steering Committee, and the Ohio Department of Transportation for making this happen!  Thanks also to Dave Woehr for the photo and article covering the event.
  

       

 

 

  

 

 

 

cut leaved toothwort

UPCOMING Spring 2019 PROGRAMS AT MEP

There is something exciting happening each month at Miller Ecological Park!  As we look forward to spring, please take a moment to check out the dedicated volunteer naturalists 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 and free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend.  Programs will be held from 10-noon January through March--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 Schedule   Click here

 

NEXT MEP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: 

April 1st (no joke!) 2019 at 7:00PM at the City Building. Please note, this meeting is on a Monday, a new day for our meetings.  Visitors are always Welcome!

 

Why not choose to give where you live?

INVEST WHERE YOU LIVE

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.

LOOKING FORWARD  TO 2019

  • Receive Results of Grant Application for Land and Water Conservation Grant for construction of restrooms at MEP
  • Continue Invasive Species Removal and Maintenance
  • Hold Monthly Nature Programs
  • Encourage Community Volunteering at MEP
  • Summer Education Program
  • Continue Encouraging Native Bees and Butterflies
  • Coordinate with Mickie Marquis and Lebanon Garden Club for the 2019 Butterfly release
  • Hold 6th Oktoberfest
  • Dedicate  Memorial plantings and Hold a Recognition of Scott Brunka on May 4
  • Provide a Summer Education Program...and so much more...
  • Continue Facebook and Website Postings
  • Recruit several new members for the Steering Committee
  • Much more

 

Parking lot in progress

2018 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Nature Works Grant, the City, and MEP Trustees are funding a parking lot extension now in progress
  • Easy access on and off the long walkway over wetland area on the Cedar Trail
  • Raised area on the back prarie with for hikers
  • Volunteer projects included: Seedlings planted by Donovan 4th and 5th graders; Trail Work by Young Life, Labyrinth Clean-up by Loveland H.S. Seniors; Kestal Box maintenance by Girl Scout Troop 40273
  • Received a Northrup Grumman Grant for  a rustic teeter-totter
  • Two new OCVN members: Sue Saari and Katherine Bowles will do volunteer hours at MEP 
  • Held 10 monthly Nature Walks on a variety of topics led by Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists: Bob Henn, Janet Lasley, Bill Lindauer, Peggy Logue, Donna Shaw, Jim Ludwick, Sue Saari, and Casey Burdick
  • Labyrinth Walk with Peggy Logue on October 6
  • Coordinated with Mickie Marquis of the Lebanon Garden Club for the Butterfly Release in August
  • 5 Steering Committee Meetings with Nature Inservices by Bob Henn and Dave Woehr
  • Friendship Garden Planting in connection with the Matsunami Playground in Ishinomaki, Japan
  • 5th Oktoberfest was held which raises necessary funds for MEP. Thanks to an outstanding committee which included Emily Lovely, Kris Cameron, Scott and Jenni Brunka, Dave and Heather Lacey, Jane and Steve Davis, Nick Burdick, and many others
  • A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR OKTOBERFEST SPONSORS:  Cincinnati Bell, SCU, Otterbein Senior Life, Home Depot, The Lebanon Opry House, LCBN, Ghent, Hoskins Funeral Homes, Go Natives Now, Buckeye ECOCARE, Minuteman Press, Cardinal, Henry Farms, McGinty Family, Miller-Myerholtz Family, Mike Mullett and Patti March, Miller Ecological Park Fund.  Funds from Oktoberfest provide much needed revenue for Miller Ecological Park!