PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2019
Former MCPD Director and Naturalist Staff Honored by OPRA
In recognition of his 47 years of service to the parks and recreation industry in Ohio, retired Medina County Park District Director Tom James has been honored with the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association’s 2018 Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award. James received the award February 5 during OPRA’s annual conference in Sandusky.
OPRA is a 2,000-member, non-profit, public-interest organization that works to provide quality park and recreational facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving natural resources. More than 800 parks professionals attended this year’s four-day conference.
The Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes leaders who have excelled not only in their day-to-day responsibilities over the course of at least a 30-year career but who have also worked to mentor young professionals and have taken an active role at the state and national level.
James came to Medina County Park District from Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District in 1993. On his arrival in Medina County, the park district consisted of approximately 1,000 acres, including seven public parks and preserves. In the 25 years of Tom’s stewardship, the park district protected an additional 5,500 acres of land and opened 10 more parks, trails, and preserves. James oversaw the creation of a comprehensive environmental education program and brought $8 million to the park district in grant funding for land preservation and capital improvements. He retired in December 2018.
James received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Kent State University and is a graduate of North Carolina State University’s Revenue Sources Management School. His previous awards include OPRA Professional of the Year in 2012 and Leadership Medina County’s Excellence in Public Service Leadership Award in 2016. He has served on numerous boards including: Ohio Parks and Recreation Foundation, North Coast Regional Council of Park Districts, District 9 Natural Resources Assistance Council, Friends of Medina County Parks, Cloverleaf Local Schools Board of Education, Medina County Community Improvement Board, and Medina County Solid Waste Policy Committee.
Also at OPRA’s annual conference, the park district’s interpretive services staff was honored with an Award of Excellence for Putting Through the Ages -- an indoor mini-golf adventure that takes players on a journey through Ohio’s geologic history. The award, accepted on behalf of the staff by Interpretive Services Manager Shelley Tender, recognizes efforts to transcend everyday standards to improve the quality of life in Ohio communities.
The 12-hole mini-golf course was created to offer families a fun, free, and educational activity to enjoy during the winter months. Designed and constructed by park district staff and volunteers, Putting Through the Ages attracted more than 3,000 visitors from around the region.
Photo caption: (From left) Retired Medina County Park District Director Tom James accepts the 2018 Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award from Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Executive Director Woody Woodward and Board President Bill Tschirhart, chief of administration for Five Rivers Metroparks.
Updated 2-4-19
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Nov. 29, 2018
All Advisories Lifted for Chippewa Lake
Following two consecutive weeks of water test results showing algal toxins below the 6 parts per billion threshold, all public health advisories have been lifted for Chippewa Lake.
Test results from water samples taken on Nov. 26 show algal toxin levels of 2.67 ppb. This represents a decrease from 4.16 ppb on Nov. 19. Per Ohio’s Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy for Recreational Waters, a Recreational Public Health Advisory is issued when toxin levels reach 6 ppb. It warns vulnerable persons as well as pets to avoid contact with the water. When toxin levels reach 20 ppb, an Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory is issued, warning all persons and pets to avoid all contact with the water. Warnings remain in effect until two consecutive tests taken at least one week apart show levels have dropped below these thresholds.
Medina County Park District will continue to monitor Chippewa Lake water conditions as needed. For updates, please visit www.MedinaCountyParks.
Past test results:
Sample dates--Test results--Action
May 2018
May 3--4.06 ppb--No action taken
May 15--12.6 ppb--Public Health Advisory issued
May 29--21.2 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
June 2018
June 5--11.7 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
June 12--18.1 ppb--Warning downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
June 19--22.3 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
June 26--2.02 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
July 2018
July 2--2.61 ppb--All advisories lifted
July 10--1.60 ppb--No advisories in place
July 17--7.40 ppb--Public Health Advisory issued
July 24--11 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
July 31--8.58 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 2018
August 7--12.9 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 14--19.4 ppb--Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
August 21-- 22.4 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
August 27--38.36 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
September 2018
September 4--19 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
September 11-- 9.18 ppb-- Advisory downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
September 18--37 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory issued
September 25--12.1 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 2018
October 2-- 28.6 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 9--19.2 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 16--25.6 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 23--35.3 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
October 30--22 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
November 2018
November 5--16.7 ppb--Elevated Recreational Public Health Advisory remains
November 13--10.5 ppb--Advisory downgraded to Recreational Public Health Advisory
November 19--4.16 ppb--Recreational Public Public Health Advisory remains
November 26--2.67 ppb--All advisories lifted
December 2018 -- 0.22 ppb--No advisories in place
January 2019 --<0.14 ppb--No advisories in place
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