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Representatives press ODNR on park safety, tourism impact and Adena Mansion partnership
Summary
Committee members raised concerns about visitor safety, local search-and-rescue burdens and partnerships for historic property management; Director Mary Mertz described capacity constraints, existing partnerships, and said resource constraints — not capability — are the central issue.
Representative Johnson and other committee members pressed the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on safety and local impacts from high visitation at Hocking Hills and other parks, and on whether ODNR could take a more active role in managing Adena Mansion and related Great Seal State Park assets.
Johnson said Hocking Hills draws heavy weekend visitation and cited strain on volunteer fire and rescue services, limited ranger presence and parking and shuttle challenges. He asked how ODNR could better fund safety services and aid local responders. Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department…
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