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Greene County Parks and Trails honored for inclusive programs, wins three OPRA awards
Summary
Greene County Parks and Trails received multiple awards, including recognition from the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce and three awards from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association for programs that target ages from infants to seniors and partner with the Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Greene County Parks and Trails was recognized by the Greene County Board of Commissioners on May 15 for multiple awards the department received this year, including a retail-service award from the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce and three awards from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA).
The awards spotlighted several of the department’s programs that aim to introduce people of all ages and abilities to the outdoors. Elizabeth Bowen, representing Greene County Parks and Trails, told the commissioners the department received the Russ Remnick Retail Service Award from the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greene County Achiever Award and three OPRA honors: first place for the Junior Ranger Academy, second place for Totally Together (an adaptive program developed with the Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities) and third place for Babbling Bunnies.
The recognition followed a multi-minute presentation describing program details. Rangers Garrett and Deandre outlined the weeklong Junior Ranger Academy, saying participants hiked, fished, practiced radio etiquette and spent a day on range activities including archery. Bowen and the rangers said the first academy enrolled 18 youths, originally ages about 10 to 17, with archery instruction limited to 10 participants at a time; staff said the program’s age range will be adjusted this year.
Representatives from the Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities described the Totally Together partnership. Josh, identified as community outreach manager for the Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Jennifer Frey, Early Intervention Program Director, said Totally Together adapted events to be more inclusive (for example, staging activities on paved paths at Russ Nature Reserve, providing quiet zones away from music and using tactile stations). They said the partnership served a broad age span — from infants to older adults — and estimated “hundreds” of attendees across events.
Bowen said Babbling Bunnies is targeted to infants through toddlers (roughly 6 months to about 2 years) and that the pilot sessions from the prior year attracted roughly 100 children to sensory, music and water-play activities designed to introduce very young children to nature.
Commissioners congratulated the staff and asked about registration, fees and outreach; Bowen said a nominal fee covered supplies such as obstacle courses and refreshments and that the department posts photos and event information on its social media channels. No formal board action was required; the department received recognition and posed for group photographs with the commissioners.
The awards and the presentation underscore the county’s investment in programming intended to broaden outdoor access and inclusion, and commissioners urged staff to continue outreach so more residents learn about the offerings.
