Highland County's popular Rocky Fork State Park is going green after being awarded nearly $10,000 by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft for launch ramp lighting improvements.
Funding is expected to be available by the end of June and Ohio State Parks Southern Regional Administrator Jon Dobney said they are excited to be switching to solar power.
"It's something we are striving to do as it helps the environment and saves on costs," he said.
The lighting, which will cost approximately $9,868, will be installed at the RFL campground's launch ramps once all electrical power is removed, Dobney said.
According to the ODNR, a total of 34 projects, ranging in cost from $381 to $20,000 for a total of more than $376,000, will be completed within Ohio's state parks. Twenty-five of those projects will be at boat launch access sites. Other projects include dock rebuilding, marina, garden, and float repairs.
The funding is provided through the state's Waterways Safety Fund, which consists of monies paid by boaters for watercraft registration and titling fees, a share of the state motor fuels tax, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Dobney said RFL has already switched to environmentally friendly cleaning projects and the solar powered lights are just another way to expand on Ohio's "go green" initiative.
