This was the first time Ezra Damaske, 8, went ziplining. He said, “It felt like at any second my hands were going to slip off. But it was very fun and very fast.”
Shannon Bohle | The Lima News
LIMA — Ottawa Lake Metro Park officially turned 50 this year. In recognition, the Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District organized a range of activities for both young and old.
“Community support over the last 50 years has been pretty incredible and we appreciate it,” said Tyler Black, executive director of the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. “So, with it being the 50th anniversary, we wanted there to be something for the community to enjoy… Being outside and having family time and the ability to decompress from everything going on in the world the past few years is important, and we want people to know we are here for them.”
What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Lima’s beloved parks than a complete day of family fun.
From the dangerous to the beautifully delicate, there was something for everyone.
To get their adrenaline pumping, visitors enjoyed axe throwing and ziplining.
In the Raptor Zone, Brittany Jordan, staff manager with Back to the Wild, which is located in Castalia, near Cedar Point, brought with her sharp-beaked and -taloned flying predators, including a bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, barn owl, barred owl and screech owl.
For nature lovers, the butterfly house was a popular attraction. Drake Powell, 8, and his little sister, Breonna Powell, 6, traveled from Findlay to spend the weekend with grandmother Gina Powell of Ada, who brought them to the event. Avary Silba, 4, wore a bright yellow sundress that attracted butterflies that landed on her.
Small children enjoyed the Animal Olympics, where they hopped like a frog and imitated other animal behaviors at each station.
Anglers vied for the biggest catch during the morning’s youth fishing derby.
Carnival-like inflatables and food trucks dotted the grassy areas of the park.
The July heat, however, sapped people’s energy. Temperatures reached into the lower 90s but with the humidity, it felt like 96. An “Extreme” UV rating of 11 was issued.
Without a doubt, visitors sought shade under the park’s trees, and from noon to 6 p.m. kids twelve and under found relief from the heat with a free swim in the lake.
Entertainers included comedian, ventriloquist and juggler Mike Hemmelgam who provided fun for all ages, and Nashville Crush, a regional five-man country and rock band, who played from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
