Knox County Park District

06/24/2025

If you live in Knox County, you may hear low-flying planes this week. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is treating approximately 13,500 acres this week for Spongy Moths (previously known as Gypsy Moths). The strategy is to disrupt mating by using SPLAT GM-O (for gypsy moth organic). The SPLAT GM-O contains the pheromone that female spongy moths emit to attract males, and works by confusing males, which can't tell whether they are being attracted to a female moth or a droplet of the product. The result is significantly fewer successful matings and fewer moths the following season. SPLAT GM-O is specific to spongy moth and is made with food grade materials. The EPA has approved SPLAT GM-O for use in organic food production areas.

The product will not be applied to areas with no tree canopy, so the pilots will turn off their spray booms over large agricultural plots or open water. More information on SPLAT GM-O is available on ODA's website, scroll down to "Treatment Materials" and click there for the label, MSDA, and a fact sheet.

06/23/2025

BACK TO NATURE SERIES AT ARCH PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN!

June is National Pollinator Month! Learn more about these garden superheroes at the first Back to Nature event THIS THURSDAY, June 26th at the Arch Park Community Garden.

More than 150 of our common food crops, from avocados to zucchini, rely on pollinators to move pollen among flowers to facilitate fertilization, which ultimately leads to the development of fruits and seeds. Celebrate the hard work of these busy animals with a special picnic featuring the fruits of their labor.

Join us for a PICNIC WITH OUR POLLINATOR PALS on Thursday June 26th at 6 PM at the Arch Park Community Garden.

Activities are geared towards children K-6th grade and will be focused on exploring and connecting with nature through art, games, stories, and food.

These family centered events are sponsored by the Parent Support Initiative, Knox Public Health, and the Green Teens program. Upcoming Back to Nature events scheduled at Arch Park this summer include Art in the Park on Thursday, July 10th and Stories in the Park on Thursday, July 31st from 6 – 7:30 PM. Arch Park is located on Arch Ave.

06/18/2025

Today is NATIONAL GO FISHING DAY and we have just the pond for you! Head over to Wolf Run Regional Park's Wolf Run Pond and Fishing Pier and drop a line! If streams or rivers are more your kettle of fish, Knox County has many from which to choose, including the Kokosing and Mohican Rivers. You deserve some time off, so have some fun and go fish!

06/17/2025

If traveling the Kokosing Gap Trail, beware of slow-moving....turtles!

More nesting along the KGT today.

06/17/2025

Bring your family, come with friends, or enjoy some time alone! For more information about our 9 parks, including maps, visit our website at knoxcountyparks.org.

06/16/2025

Butterflies are a valuable group of pollinators in nature, transferring pollen from flower to flower as they nourish themselves on the nectar. These beautiful and delicate creatures are highly sensitive indicators of an ecosystem's health and also help to support it.

Enjoy these lovely photos courtesy of Kathy Noblet!

06/13/2025

The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County is partnering with us to bring you an ADULT CRAFT NIGHT on Thursday, July 17! Join us for this fun program and make your own NATIVE TERRARIUM! Registration opens TODAY and space is limited, so please register early by contacting the library. See details below.

06/11/2025

Experience the joy of the outdoors utilizing all your senses! Join us this Friday at Wolf Run Park!

Let’s Be Outside!
When: Friday, June 13, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Wolf Run House, 18033 Yauger Road, Mount Vernon, OH.
What: Come take a hike with us, but leave the screens at home. We will get outside and hike through Wolf Run Regional Park. The goal is to focus on your different senses during the various parts of the hike.

This is a fun, family-friendly, educational program, and we hope to see you there!

06/09/2025

Whether you have never visited Honey Run Waterfall Park or it has been a while since you were there, this is a great time of year to put it on your calendar!

06/06/2025

Knox County Ohio Horseman's Council members Cindy Cossin and Kathy Shoemaker volunteered their time and energies this week mowing paths at Thayer Ridge Park in preparation for the club's moonlight ride next Wednesday, June 11. Saddle up your equine buddy and join the fun!

Thanks, Kathy & Cindy!

06/04/2025

We are excited to introduce our summer interns, Alayna Aurand and Will Stemen!

A junior at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Will is majoring in environmental science, while Alayna is majoring in both botany and environmental science at Miami University.

Welcome aboard, Will and Alayna!