The City of Hilliard and Norwich Fire Department are partnering with The Ohio State University, Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, Hilliard City Schools, and Terra Aqua Club to host the fourth Latham Park Educational Program. The collaborative science program will resume on Sept. 24, this time including middle school students for the first time.
The program is split into classroom sessions and field day activities that take place at Clarence W Latham Educational Park pond, located at Cosgray Road and Scioto Darby Creek Road.
In September, students at Bradley, Darby and Davidson high schools as well as students at Weaver, Heritage and Memorial middle schools will learn about careers in ecology and fish and urban fisheries from OSU Professors and staff who will visit their classrooms. Following the classroom sessions, students will have the opportunity to experience these topics firsthand at the Latham Park pond on Sept. 25 and 26 (high school) and on Oct. 1, Oct. 2, and Oct. 3 (middle school).
On the designated field days, the City, Norwich Township, OSU staff members and students will set up educational stations at Latham Park providing boats, waders and microscopes for students to explore topics such as fishing, chemical testing, bird banding, tree identification, and more. The events are being coordinated by Urban Park Development LLC.
“Throughout the two years that the City has participated in this program, it’s been a very positive experience between all of the partners involved,” said Deputy Director of Public Service Larry Lester. Our crews have learned how to test City water quality directly from OSU staff. Because of this, we purchased the equipment to be able to manage Hilliard’s wetlands ourselves.”
“It’s a bonus that the students are very excited to learn about water conservation,” he said.
Latham Park was originally built to be an educational nature park, and because of this program, it’s being used for that purpose.
