The Department of Natural Resources is grateful to Mayor Abel and City Council for considering whether Athens should assume management of Strouds Run State Park and operate the park as part of the city's recreation system.
Our goal in exploring this transfer was not to reduce Ohio's state park system or the amount of recreational land we manage. Indeed, we have added more than 55,000 acres of new or expanded state parks, forests, nature preserves and wildlife areas over the past 10 years.
Our motivation in discussing this partnership is the fact that Strouds Run is essentially a local park serving local users. It lies in close proximity to existing city parks and trails. This offers many opportunities for more cost-effective management of the community's parks through economies of scale and efficient use of resources.
We appreciate the city's careful consideration of this proposal, but we also respect council's decision to decline from this opportunity.ODNR will continue to operate Strouds Run State Park and will proceed with planned improvements within limits of funding that the state and local volunteer groups provide. We are currently planning several improvements at the park, including a new concession facility and renovated restrooms.
'Sam Speck is the director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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Letter to the Editor
