Park District News ………..…2 What’s Inside Naturalist Programs ……… 3-4 Christmas Tree Recycling …...8 Luminary Walk ……………...5 Asian Longhorned Beetle …..9-10 Thank You …………………..6 Rental Facilities ……………...11 Fall Festival ……………….....7 Park Information ……………12 Luminary Walk page 5 Park District News Chris Clingman, Director At Pattison Park you may have noticed that several large trees have been removed. These are all ash trees that have been infested by the Emerald Ash Borer. Once they infest a tree it takes about 5 years to completely kill the tree. Duke Energy contacted the Park District about several of these trees along power lines that run parallel or through park properties. In order to prevent the trees from dropping branches on the power lines, Duke has started to remove the infested ash trees. This will help prevent power outages in the area. The Park District will use the wood at Pattison Park for our maple syrup programs. Moving the wood to other locations could be very destructive, as it would help speed the spread of this destructive pest. For more information on Emerald Ash Borer visit http://ashalert.osu.edu/

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find information on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. This pest attacks 13 different genera of trees with maples being its preferred host. The primary infestation is in the village of Bethel and Tate Township, but it has also been found in small areas of Stonelick and Monroe Townships. Both of those infestations can be linked to firewood being moved from the Bethel area to those townships. For more information on the Asian Longhorned Beetle visit www.beetlebusters.info

This winter the Chilo Lock 34 Visitor Center and Museum will be closed to help save on staff and utility costs. But groups of 15 or more can schedule a visit by calling 513-876-9013 or emailing to [email protected]. We will need to know the size and type (scouts, senior citizens etc…) of the group, days and times you wish to visit. If staff is available, we will get you scheduled. Unfortunately, we can not guarantee that a staff member will be available.

Saturday, January 19 is now the Annual Rock and Roast fundraiser for the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike/Bike Trail. The event will be from 6 to 9 pm and includes dinner, music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 each or you can sponsor a table for $200. We are still looking for great silent auction items. For tickets and more information call the Village of Williamsburg at 513-724-6107.

Nature Notes Flowers Sara Ernst, Naturalist I’ve never seen a : when it’s below 32 degrees, I’d prefer to be inside wrapped in a blanket and nursing a hot cup of tea! But this year, I’m making an effort to see these unique, remarkable works of art. Frost flowers aren’t flowers, nor frost- rather, they’re structures that form at the base of some when the in their sap freezes. The water is drawn up through the body via capillary action and expands, bursting through vertical cracks in the stem. Frothy, delicate white ribbons are created as more water is drawn in and pushed out, mixing with air trapped in the stem and upon exposure. Crystallofolia, as they’re technically named, are found during fall’s first hard freezes (28 degrees and below) when the ground is wet, but not yet frozen. Each formation is as unique as a snowflake, and each delicate sculpture disappears quickly when the temperature rises. You can look for frost flowers in any of our prairies and woodlands that host herbaceous perennials - wingstem, in particular, is one of relatively few plants associated with the phenomenon. Though done blooming now, you may easily recall this tall woodland plant by Photo courtesy of Patrick Coin its winged stems and yellow aster-like flower, present from June to October. If you are the brave, lucky, and/or astute observer who captures crystallofolia on film, we’d love to share your photos! Advance Registration Program has Winter Bird Count Required A fee Saturday January 5 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Luminary Walk Chilo Lock 34 Park Friday December 14 Crooked Run Nature Preserve Pattison Park Lodge Sycamore Park 6-9 pm Kelley Nature Preserve See page 5 for more information Shor Park Volunteers are needed for the annual census of our feathered friends. Grab your binoculars and enjoy a day bird watching. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required. Please call 513.876.9013 to sign up.

Winter Hike Sycamore Park Sunday January 20 1:00 pm Winter Solstice Hike Beat the winter blues by joining us on a moderately Friday December 21 strenuous three mile hike through Sycamore Park 7:30 pm and the Wilson Nature Preserve. Winter offers Pattison Park wonderful panoramic views of the East Fork River Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice, our Valley. Warm up with hot chocolate afterwards. shortest day of the year that marks the beginning of Meet at the bridge. winter. We’ll learn about astronomical and cultural significance of this special day, and enjoy a nighttime hike. Meet by the picnic shelter. Night Hike Homeschool Program Friday January 11 Winter Plant Identification Crooked Run Thursday January 24 Nature Preserve Pattison Park Lodge 6:30 pm 10:00 am Everybody loves colorful spring Friday February 15 wildflowers and the rich fall Sycamore Park colors of our maples, ashes and 6:30 pm oaks. But, how good are your Practice using your senses at night, like a nocturnal winter tree and plant identification animal! Compare how well your vision and hearing skills without the benefit of stack up to those nighttime animals, and find out flowers and leaves? We’ll why these animals are so successful being awake discover the different while we’re sleeping. We’ll enjoy a fun evening hike characteristics like bark patterns, seeds and buds that on the trails and hopefully get a chance to say hello help identify some of our common plants. Pre to one of our most common owls. registration is required. Please call 513.876.9013 to sign up by Monday January 22. Winter Hiking and Survival Skills Saturday January 19 1:00 pm Maple Syrup Open House Pattison Park Saturday February 16 What should you bring 11:00 am with you for a winter Pattison Park hike? Do you know Follow along as we take you what to do if you need through our sugarbush. to make an unprepared You’ll see every step of the stay? Learn a few basic process as we turn our survival skills and practice your shelter making maple sap into syrup, and abilities. Meet at the picnic shelter. even learn how you can make your own syrup at home. Winter Stargaze Friday February 22 Chilo Lock 34 Park Maple Syrup for Homeschool 7:00 pm Monday February 25 Join the Midwestern 10:00 am Astronomers, a local group Pattison Park of amateur astronomers as Join us for a morning in they bring their knowledge, the sugarbush. Your home and best of all—their schooled child will telescopes to the park for an discover everything evening of stargazing. You’ll they need to know about discover what’s visible in the making maple syrup. night sky this time of year, then see for yourself We’ll tap trees, collect with the aid of a telescope. Rain or clouds will sap, then turn it into the cancel the event. Please check the park district’s sweet sugary syrup. Fee website on the day of the program for cancellation is $4.00 per child. Call information. 513.876.9013 by Friday February 15 to sign up.

Memorial Tree Planted in Honor of Judge Sugarbush Volunteers Needed! Charles Jackson Do you enjoy working outside? If so, we may On Sunday October 14, the Quin-T’s Democrat have the opportunity for you. The Park District is Club dedicated a memorial tree in honor of the late seeking several dedicated hard working Judge Jackson, who passed away in February of individuals to help the naturalists in the sugar 2011. The Scarlet Oak was a gift of the club to bush this winter. You’ll get the opportunity to honor one of their longtime members and a leader learn everything there is to know about making in the Clermont County community. Judge maple syrup, and even get to taste some of the Jackson was a resident of Chilo, and was also the sugary sweetness that’s made at Pattison Park. If probate judge that established the Park District in you are interested in volunteering please call 1970. 513.876.9013 or e-mail Keith Robinson at [email protected]

The Park District would like to thank . . .

The Ken Stewart family for their memorial donation in memory of Robert Terrill Jr.

Thank you to the following for assisting with the Habitat help Day on November 9th. Thanks to our volunteers we were able to cut, spray, and remove another large area of invasive bush honeysuckle from Sycamore Park.

Holli Hearn Michael Gillespie River Hills Christian Church Youth Ministries 2nd Annual Chilo Lock 34 Park Fall Festival!

Special Thanks to the following individuals and organizations for volunteering their time to help make the Chilo Lock 34 Park Fall Festival a success. New to this year’s event were face painting, farm animals, and a pumpkin slingshot!

Jacquie Tegeler

Emma Blake, Sierra Crawford, Shelby Dewey, and Hayley Hahn from Girl Scout Troop #45371 from Felicity. The girls helped with the pumpkin painting booth.

Felicity Franklin High School FFA for bringing some of their farm animals, and doing face painting.

Harness Club from Gorman Heritage Farm and their mules, Jim and George, for offering free wagon rides through the park.

Home Depot for bringing all of the supplies and allowing children to build their own fire truck, all for free.

Steve Featherston for his musical performance.

Jarman’s Greenhouse for donating straw bales and corn stalks for decorations. Chilo Lock 34 Visitor Center and Museum

The Chilo Lock 34 Visitor Center and Museum will be Closed from December 3rd - March 15th.

Groups of 15 or more may contact the Naturalist Office at 513.876.9013 to arrange an appointment to visit the museum.

Save the Date Christmas Tree Recycling

Pancakes in The Park District is once again accepting Christmas Trees for recycling. Live trees can be the Park dropped off at Pattison Park lakeside from Saturday March 9 December 26 to January 13. Trees will be chipped Pattison Park Lodge and mulched. All decorations must be removed from the trees. Are you following us? For other drop off Have you visited our Facebook or Flickr pages locations in Clermont recently? We’re always looking for new photos of County, contact the our parks, so we encourage you to take lots of Office of photos on your next visit to your favorite Clermont Environmental County park and Quality at upload them to 732-7894 or share with www.oeq.net everyone.

Luminary Walk, 2011 Asian Longhorned Beetle Invades Clermont County

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ohio Department of Agriculture are continuing to monitor the status of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in Clermont County. The ALB is an invasive destructive pest native to Asia. The ALB feeds on its host tree and will eventually kill it. The ALB prefers maples, but will also use buckeye, hackberry elm, ash, birch, and willows as its host tree. If the ALB continues to spread, it will be very destructive, resulting in thousands of dead trees.

As of October 20, 210,007 trees have been surveyed and 8949 trees have been found to have been infected within the 61 square mile quarantine area. Of the infected Trees, 8789 have been removed. If you find evidence of the ALB on your property, report it to the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 1-855-252-6450.

Adult ALB showing egg laying sites on tree bark. Egg laying sites in tree bark.

Tree showing multiple exit holes, where adult ALB’s emerged.

An adult ALB emerging from the inside of a tree. After transforming Close up of the perfectly from pupae to adult, ALB’s bore round, dime sized exit hole. perfectly round dime sized exit holes on host trees.

If you find evidence of the Asian Longhorned Beetle, report it to the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 1-855-252-6450 For more information on the Asian Longhorn Beetle visit www.beetlebusters.info

Pattison Lodge and Gazebo & Picnic Shelter Rentals Hartman Log Cabin The Park District has picnic shelters for rent at Chilo Lock 34 Park, Sycamore Park, and Pattison Park for your summer picnic or family gathering. Call the Park District administrative office at 513.732.2977 to make your reservation or check on availability.

Pattison Lodge and Gazebo Rental Rates In Season (May 15— October 15) Monday through Thursday $200 Friday and Sunday $475 Saturday $550

Out of Season (October 16—May 14) Monday through Thursday $200 Friday and Sunday $425 Saturday $500

Park/Shelter Capacity Fee

Chilo Lock 34 Park 50 $75

Pattison Park 150 $100

Sycamore Woods 50 $75

Sycamore #2 150 $100

Hartman Log Cabin Rental Rates

In Season Rates (May 15-October 15) Monday through Thursday $125 Friday through Sunday $175 *Includes the use of the picnic shelter

Out of Season Rates (October 16—May 14) Monday through Sunday $125 Chilo Lock 34 Park 39 acres 521 County Park Road Chilo, OH 45112 513.876.9013

Crooked Run Nature Preserve 77 acres 521 County Park Road Chilo, OH 45112

Hartman Log Cabin 5 acres 5272 Aber Road Williamsburg, OH 45176

Kelley Nature Preserve 42 acres 297 Center Street Loveland, OH 45140

Pattison Park 45 acres 2228 US Highway 50 Batavia, OH 45103

Shor Park 56 acres 4659 Tealtown Road Batavia, OH 45103

Sycamore Park 53 acres 4082 State Route 132 Batavia, OH 45103

Wilson Nature Preserve 105 acres 4082 State Route 132 Batavia, OH 45103 105 acres

Williamsburg - Batavia Hike/Bike Trail Broadway Road Williamsburg, OH 45176 2.5 miles long

Contact Information

Administrative Office 2228 US Highway 50 Batavia, OH 45103 513.732.2977 [email protected]

Naturalist Office PO Box 106 Chilo, OH 45112 513.876.9013 Board of Park Commissioners

Mission Statement David Anspach Kenneth Stewart To acquire, plan, develop, program, and maintain William Stearns, Chairman park property in the county for residents and nonresidents alike. To secure the preservation of Chris Clingman, Director open space and places of scenic or historical value.

Monthly board meetings are held the second Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm in Pattison Park www.clermontparks.org Lodge. All meetings are open to the public. For more information call 513.732.2977.