“…largest turnout of friends/volunteers to an emergency situation in Ohio State Parks history.”

For Release Immediately - July 6, 2012

CINCINNATI — July 6, 2012 — As a result of the violent storm on Friday night June 29, electric was out in eight Ohio State Parks in southwestern Ohio. On Saturday June 30, the Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) mobilized their Adopt-a-Trail volunteers to clear the trail of some 40-50 fallen trees. These volunteers worked throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, clearing the trail so that on Saturday and Sunday Ohio State Parks resources could focus on the eight parks without electric.

On Monday morning the professionals from Ohio State Parks arrived with their chainsaws, chippers, and trucks and were given logistical information allowing them to go directly to those locations on the 50-mile trail where there was a situation which had exceeded the capabilities of the Adopt-a-Trail volunteers on Saturday and Sunday. By Monday evening, 100% of the trail was passable.

Jim Henahan, Ohio State Parks Manager, Community Partnerships Program, was very direct in his assessment of FLMSP’s efforts last weekend:

"I won't hesitate to say that this was indeed the largest turnout of friends/volunteers to an emergency situation in Ohio State Parks history. The friends/volunteers on the Little Miami led the way in responding quickly and efficiently thanks to your group's strong organization and selfless members. Our sincere thanks to the FLMSP for being truly our partners during this crisis and for the outstanding work you performed on our behalf."

"The largest turnout of friends/volunteers to an emergency situation in Ohio State Parks history"
--- that kind of thing doesn't just happen. It’s due to FLMSP having the right organization,
preparation, equipment, motivation, and commitment to making this the premier trail in the area.

For Release Immediately - July 2, 2012

Segment Adopters Mobilized for the First Time

CINCINNATI — July 2, 2012 — Early on Saturday morning, June 30, after a violent storm, the Segment Adopters of the Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP) mobilized to deal with the emergency. The damage was significant. On Friday night after the storm, eight Ohio State parks were without power and Shannon Hoffer of Ohio State Parks estimated that the Little Miami State Park had at least one tree down every mile.

FLMSP was more than ready. In September of 2011, they had divided the 50-mile long trail into 24 "segments"; as of January of 2012 all 24 segments had one or more Segment Adopters.

This was the first time our Segment Adopters had been mobilized for an emergency, and the group tackled the problem efficiently over the 50-miles length of the trail. First out, Don & Judy Mills, Paul Leiter, and Chris Potensky rode the trail providing real-time intel about trail conditions to Aaron Rourke, Adopt-a-Trail Coordinator who was command and control for the day.

Paul Morgan, Rick and Emily Forrester, Jim and Maxine Fischer started at the southern end of the trail with a chainsaw and headed north. At 3:00 pm Don Hahn relieved Paul Morgan. This crew cut up and removed eight trees.

On Saturday, Steve Hobart rode the trail south from Branch Hill New Guinea to Milford noting and reporting two downed trees. On Sunday Steve returned to clear the trail of debris for the one mile from Branch Hill-New Guinea Road to Beech Road.

Even though Morgans Campground had 20 of its own trees down, Dirk Morgan, his tractor, chainsaw, and blower started at Ft. Ancient and worked south to Stubbs Mill cutting up and removing over nine trees.

Bill and Debra Ash were on their Ft. Ancient to Strout Road segment doing what they could with hand tools and deferring the chainsaw work to Dirk Morgan.

Moving to the north, Richard Feldmann and his bowsaw were able to cut up and remove three eight-inch diameter trees and reconnoiter the nine miles from Hedges Road to New Burlington Road, inventorying trail conditions for other Segment Adopters.

Dennis and Kathy Lewis and another couple started at Hedges Road, just south of Xenia, and worked one and a half hours to open the trail 2.7 miles to Richland Road --- all with hand tools.

There were likely other anonymous volunteers along the trail doing what they could to restore the trail to a passable and safe condition.

When Saturday began, 20 of the 24 segments were partially or completely impassable; by the end of the day this number had been reduced to eight.

Shannon Hoffer has informed us that Ohio State Parks will have a "full court press" Monday, July 2nd, on the Little Miami State Park with chippers, chainsaws, and trucks to remove the debris.

To all, the FLMSP says, "Thank you". From where we sit, it worked the way it was supposed to work.

Shannon Hoffer of Ohio State Parks says "this is the future of the Little Miami State Park --- the State of Ohio, working with friends groups, to go above and beyond. There are still people without power in the region, but the bike trail is open. I want to personally thank the Friends of the Little Miami State Park --- I have never had this kind of coordinated interaction with volunteers in my career."

For Release Immediately - January 30, 2012

Friends of the Little Miami State Park finishes recruitment of segment adopters All parts of the 50-mile trail will now be covered.

CINCINNATI — January 30, 2012 — If you are one of the many bikers, hikers or runners who enjoy the nearly 50 mile-long Little Miami State Park, you may notice a cleaner and safer environment this year. A non–profit organization, Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP), has enlisted volunteers in its Adopt-a-Trail program to maintain and to be a watchdog for the entire length of the trail. And they are looking to complete more ambitious projects in the future.

The Adopt-a-Trail program, active for two years, divides the trail into 24 segments of between one and five miles in length. As of January 25 ALL 24 segments have been adopted, and several segments have multiple adopters. This means that there is someone from the FLMSP community responsible for every mile of the 50-mile park.

Starting at the Hedges Road trail head south of Xenia and ending at Avoca Park near Milford, the adopters perform basic maintenance such as trash pickup, fence repair, and vegetation removal. They will also identify and report structural problems such as sink holes to Ohio State Parks. The volunteers, most of whom are avid bike riders, work to ensure that they and all other users will have a positive and safe experience on the trail.

As all state agencies adjust to shrinking funds, FLMSP assists Ohio State Parks in supporting of the trail. They have been an advocate for the trail since 2008, after several bicyclists were injured on slippery wooden bridge surfaces. Riders suffered paralysis, a broken pelvis, and a broken tibia. In 2009, the group raised $22,000 to pave 11 of the wooden bridge surfaces. In 2010 they paved the final four bridges. Since 2009, no more serious injuries have been reported.

The FLMSP assists park management not only with routine maintenance, but with development planning and capital improvements. By completing a strategic plan last summer, the FLMSP identified critical future improvements that must be made to the trail. The more challenging of these are asphalt repair and the control of root encroachment. Funding of these initiatives is a main goal of the group as it seeks to increase membership and seek grants.

The FLMSP welcomes new members. Membership information is available on the organization's website at www.littlemiamistatepark.org. They also have a Facebook page with information and conversation.

Anyone is welcome to attend their monthly meetings along the trail. The next meeting will be held at 4 pm, February 19, at Milford City Hall, 745 Center Ave., Milford, Ohio. Subsequent meetings will be held the third Sunday of every month in Milford, Loveland, Morrow, Corwin, or Spring Valley. Exact times and locations will be posted on the FLMSP website.

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For more information:

(Randy Durrum), (937-603-1480) ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )