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| L to R are Darke County Park District Commissioners Roger Brocious and Tina White, Michael Dickman and Ashley Schutz. |
The Darke County Park District honored this week, a former Versailles area Boy Scout, Mr. Ashley Schutz who cleared some of the original trails at Shawnee Prairie Preserve back in 1997 when the District was beginning to develop this property. A plaque was placed at the trailhead to honor over 305 hours that Ashley and some of his friends put in over a ten week period to clear the first trails at Shawnee Prairie as part of his Eagle Scout project. Attending the presentation were Ashley and his family, wife Danielle and sons, Austin and Ethin, father( and his former Boy Scout leader), David Schutz and mother, Karen along with Michael Dickman, a friend who helped him with this project and current District Boy Scout Coordinator Mark Davis. Darke County Park District Commissioners Tina White and Roger Brocious awarded a copy of the plaque to Mr. Schutz and thanked him for his service to the citizens of Darke County and all who visit Shawnee Prairie Preserve now and in the future. The Schutz’ now reside in Newport, Ohio and also have a seven week old son, Weston at home. Ashley was amazed at the progress the Park District has made since he spent all that time here many years ago when the park area consisted of a farm, woods and newly restored wetlands. Ashley stated,” I am proud to be a part of the hard work that made Shawnee Prairie Preserve grow to what it is today. I have always enjoyed scouting and wanted to do something for my Eagle project that would allow people to get outside and enjoy nature. “ The Park District continues to update the trail system and is in the process of writing grants to improve the boardwalk trails at Shawnee Prairie Preserve.
For information about the trail system and the Darke County Parks visit www.darkecountyparks.org or call 937-548-0165.
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