COLUMBUS, OHIO - Take a scenic canoe ride down the state’s first designated water trail on Saturday, June 18 during the Kokosing State Scenic River Day - part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Natural Areas Discovery Series.
The event, from noon to 4 p.m., is being held in conjunction with Kenyon College’s Brown Family Environmental Center. Featured activities include a canoe float, interpretive hikes, displays, fish identification and stream quality monitoring demonstrations.
The 2-mile canoe floats begin at noon and 2 p.m. at the Laymon Road river access near the Brown Family Environmental Center. Canoes will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Personal flotation devices are available for adults, but participants under 18 must bring their own.
For those who want to explore the river corridor by foot, guided hikes along the river will begin at 1 and 3 p.m. Participants should come prepared to get wet.
Earlier this month, 28 miles of the Kokosing River were designated as Ohio’s first water trail. A water trail is similar to a hiking or biking trail with one critical difference - the trail already exists and access just needs to be provided. The Kokosing Water Trail features nine public access points, some of which are still under development.
The Kokosing River features wooded corridors, extensive floodplains and a rural landscape, which has helped to maintain the river’s purity. The river’s watershed supports a variety of river plant communities, such as water willow, cattail, and arrowhead, as well as more than 40 species of mammals, nearly 80 species of breeding birds, and 70 species of fish.
Sponsored by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Natural Areas Discovery Series features scheduled hikes, interpretive activities and an opportunity for visitors to meet preserve and scenic rivers staff. Programs are held from April to October. The next event is the Sandusky State Scenic River Day on Saturday, June 25.
The Discovery Series programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the series visit ohiodnr.com. For more information on the Kokosing River event call 614-265-6422.