COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering a series of Paddle Ohio events to promote paddling on Ohio's state-designated wild, scenic and recreational rivers, water trails and Ohio State Park lakes. More than 250 people have participated in Paddle Ohio events since the program's creation in 2014 by the ODNR Division of Watercraft. To date, a total of 38 paddlers have successfully met the criteria to receive a "four rivers paddled" or an "eight rivers paddled" Paddle Ohio pin through the program.

"Paddle sports in Ohio are one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the state," said ODNR Director James Zehringer. "These Paddle Ohio events are aimed at encouraging Ohioans to get out and paddle on all of our scenic rivers, water trails and Ohio State Park lakes as they enjoy being outdoors on the water."

Paddling interest and involvement continues to grow in Ohio. Over the last decade, the number of Ohio-registered canoes and kayaks, including liveries, increased 138 percent to more than 152,000 in 2015. From 2014 to 2015, Ohio saw an increase of almost 20,000 paddlers.

In addition to Ohio's wild, scenic and recreational rivers and water trails, 10 Ohio State Park lakes have been added to the Paddle Ohio program this year. These state park lakes include A.W. Marion and Mt. Gilead in central Ohio; Findley and Punderson in northeast Ohio; Barkcamp and Strouds Run in southeast Ohio; Cowan and Stonelick in southwest Ohio; and Harrison and Van Buren in northwest Ohio. Now paddlers will be able to enjoy the tranquility of these small lakes while earning their Paddle Ohio pins. Check the Ohio State Parks website at parks.ohiodnr.gov for more information regarding water levels at these lakes before planning your next paddling trip.

While people are encouraged to paddle at their convenience, a number of events are currently planned throughout the summer, including floats on the Kokosing, Little Miami, Maumee and Upper Cuyahoga scenic rivers, as well as the Black River/French Creek and Muskingum River water trails. For event dates, detailed information, including registration, and possible float cancellations due to high water, visit paddle.ohiodnr.gov.

The Paddle Ohio initiative rewards individuals with a commemorative pin each time they paddle four different Ohio wild, scenic and recreational rivers or water trails. Participants simply submit information about their four paddling trips on the Paddle Ohio registration form at paddle.ohiodnr.gov, and ODNR will mail the pin to qualifying individuals. Pins are available for paddlers who paddle four, eight, 12, 16 and up to a maximum of 20 different segments of designated wild, scenic or recreational rivers, water trails or state park lakes.

Maps and more information on Ohio's scenic rivers and water trails, as well as information on volunteering to become a stream quality monitor, are available from the ODNR Division of Watercraft atwatercraft.ohiodnr.gov/scenicrivers.

The ODNR Division of Watercraft is responsible for boating safety, education and law enforcement on all waters of the state. This statewide area includes the nearshore area along 451 miles of the Ohio River, approximately one-third the entire surface area of Lake Erie, more than 605 inland lakes and more than 60,000 miles of inland streams, rivers and other waterways.

ODNR ensures a wise balance between the use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

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For more information, contact:
Brooke Betit, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860