MetroParks joins Make a Difference Day efforts

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 11:26 PM Saturday, October 8, 2011

BUTLER COUNTY— MetroParks of Butler County is looking for community-minded citizens who want to make a difference, even if just for one day.

As part of the nationwide “Make a Difference Day” initiative, MetroParks will lead a work party for projects at the Timberhill Activity Area, a 57-acre camping area for organized youth groups in Rentschler Forest, according to spokesperson Susan Stretch.

“Different projects include removal and storage of tents, trail work, repairing paths and walkways, cleaning the butterfly garden, landscaping and mulch and general camp clean up,” Stretch said.

The day is organized by the Timberhill Restoration Coalition, which according to chair and volunteer coordinator Kris Roselle, has been around for seven years in cooperation with MetroParks.

The purpose is to raise money for improvement and maintenance and to raise awareness for the campground.

“We want to provide a safe outdoor venue for youth to enjoy,” Roselle said.

While Timberhill originally was used primarily by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Roselle said that in the last few years more school and church groups have been using the campground, and some cheerleading squads have held camps there.

Consequently, Roselle particularly wants youth-oriented groups to bring volunteers out for this year’s Make a Difference Day.

“The past couple of years we’ve been doing more dangerous kinds of work, such as tree removal,” she said. “We’re returning back to a more youth-focused event.”

Some of the activities concern getting the park ready for winter by storing tents and stacking firewood, but there will also be some improvement projects such as putting gravel on trails, putting up trail markers and removing invasive honeysuckle.

“We will need adults who can not only participate in some of the activities, but also to supervise some of the youth groups,” Roselle said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Make a Difference Day, a project of the nonprofit Hands-On Network, a division of the Points of Light Institute, that encourages volunteer projects to improve communities and help neighbors in need, according to its website.

For more information or for the registration form, visit yourmetroparks.net or timberhill.org, or call (513) 867-5835.

“In order to plan for supplies and match up volunteers to projects, the registration deadline is Oct. 14,” Stretch said, “however, late registrations and walk-ins are always welcome.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.

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