TrailMail
June 2015 
Friends of the Little Miami State Park is a non-profit group of volunteers dedicated to restoring and maintaining safety on the park's scenic trail. Working under the sanction of the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, the Friends provide almost all maintenance on the trail. We depend on your support and invite you to join us in serving our community.
In This Issue
Friends at the Fen       

L to R: Dick Feldmann, Judy Mills, Barb Faulke, Carol Colliett, Tom McCrate, and Mary Ann Wendeln.  Not shown: Don Mills

by Dick Feldmann

 

The Little Miami State Park is lucky to have wonderful neighbors who also care about nature and bringing it to the citizens of Ohio.  In the spirit of cooperation, six FLMSP volunteers recently organized a workday to help our neighbors at the Travertine Fen.


Located at the north end of the Little Miami trail just beyond Spring Valley at mile marker 5.8, the Travertine Fen is a 21-acre site managed by Greene County Parks & Trails.  It's situated along the base of a wide hill with numerous artesian springs and seeps, and it contains one of the largest open prairie fen meadows in the state. This is the southernmost intact fen in the southwest Ohio fen region . . . . Read More

 

Wasson Way Connector Milestone
artist rendering from Wasson Way Project

The Wasson Way Project has passed a significant milestone on its way to transforming 7.6 miles of abandoned railroad into a multi-use trail that will connect the Little Miami Trail with downtown Cincinnati. On June 3rd, Cincinnati City Council voted 8-0 in favor of purchasing the right of way for 4.1 miles of the Wasson Way from Norfolk Southern Railroad, a section of abandoned rails running from Dana Avenue to Red Bank Road.


 

The Wasson Way Project is pursuing multiple ways to acquire the right of way for the full trail which will run from Avondale through 12 neighborhoods to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The City is applying for a federal grant to fund the construction of the trail. More information available at Wassonway.org.

 


  


Manager for Electronic Trail Counters: Our ground-breaking trail-counting program furnishes real numbers to demonstrate the trail's popularity as we seek grant funding. We need a details-oriented person to help manage the trail counters and their data files.

Fence Team: volunteers with basic carpentry skills, strength to lift large boards and posts, and a willingness to travel up and down the trail. The team usually works one day a week to repair fences.


Tree Planting: We're looking for volunteers interested in helping plant new trees, especially where there has been a high loss of ash trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

 

Trail workers: Maintenance of the trail is an on-going project, and we always need more volunteers. Any help you can give is appreciated. We'll furnish tools and training; tell us what area of the trail you'd like to work on.

 

To volunteer or to learn more, contact Don Mills or reply to this newsletter. 

 

 

 

Trail to Colorado?

You never know who you'll meet on the trail. These trekkers, enjoying our trail in May, were traveling from Columbus and hoping to reach Colorado. L to R: Karam, Leah, Ted.

 


The Friends is a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation and enhancement of the Little Miami State Park. We assist the Ohio Department of Natural Resources with development planning, routine maintenance, capital improvements, and safety concerns.   
 
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Trail Hotline


 513-212-6958

[email protected]

 

Call, text, or email to report downed trees or other non-emergency safety issues. Photos helpful!

 

 

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New Historical Marker on the Trail

A new Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled June 6 next to the trail following a dedication ceremony at Butterworth Farm in Maineville. Descendents of the Butterworth family shared stories of the Quaker family that sheltered slaves and transported them on the Undergroud Railroad. Friends of the Twenty Mile House, who made the marker possible, wanted it near the trail to help others learn of this area's history.


Quick Links
 
 
  
  
  
Trail Closure Update

 

Peters Cartridge Factory 


The trail is now OPEN through July 31 between mile markers 35.0 and 35.5 where the Peters Cartridge soil remediation work continues. On certain days, there may be periodic, short-term (up to 20 minutes) closures, which will be indicated by flag persons. You can continue to call the 24/7 Trail Closure Hotline number (513-552-7030) for ongoing updated information.
 

 

 

Blooming Now

by Mary Ann Fischer

Bright and cheery, these yellow flowers are Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). The Latin nummularia means "like a coin," referring to the shape and color of the flower, which is why it is also called "moneywort." It is a vigorous, flat, evergreen perennial that spreads rapidly and indefinitely by stem-rooting. It has rounded leaves, and cup-shaped yellow flowers.   Associated with damp or wet areas, it will also tolerate drier conditions.   It makes a good groundcover where the range of its growth can be limited. Creeping Jenny is native to Europe, but when introduced to North America it is considered invasive.