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Ohio State Parks Recognized For Excellence

Eight Ohio State Parks received "Service Excellence" Awards for their work in 2006. The awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys and are given annually to individual parks in recognition of outstanding facilities.

For the third consecutive year, Lake Milton State Park in Mahoning County was honored for its outstanding beach, boating facilities and hiking trails.

Others parks receiving Service Excellence Awards were: Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County; Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County; Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County; Pike Lake State Park in Pike County; Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County; West Branch State Park in Portage County and Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County.

"The Service Excellence Awards recognize high marks from our customers – the people who visit our parks," said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. "These eight parks represent the best facilities and recreational opportunities our parks have to offer."

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score, the facilities and parks receiving the highest scores were:

• Lake Milton State Park for its boating facilities, beach and trails. The boating facilities received a score of 4.6, the beach was scored at 4.5 and the trails were scored at 4.7.
• Hueston Woods State Park for its resort lodge. The lodge received a 4.3 score.
• Deer Creek State Park for its 18-hole golf course, which earned a score of 4.5 from users. Deer Creek also won in this category for the last two years.
• Malabar Farm State Park for its picnic areas. The facilities received a score of 4.5 from users.
• West Branch State Park for its campground. The campground earned an average score of 4.4. The park also won in this category for the last two years.
• Salt Fork State Park for its getaway rentals. The rentals scored a perfect 5.0!
• Maumee Bay State Park for its visitor center. The visitor center received an overall score of 4.8.