MOUNT VERNON — After 10 years of unfaltering dedication at the helm of the Knox County Park District, Director Lori Totman will be retiring at the end of 2023.
She has been at the very heart of the development and growth of the park district through numerous public educational programs and events, green space acquisitions, and collaborative efforts aimed at improving the parks and trails.
Totman is a lifelong resident of Knox County. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation at Kent State University, she worked for 32 years with a private, nonprofit conservation organization for which she was employed as a naturalist and then as a conservation director.
In 2013, she was appointed by the Park District Board of Commissioners to be the director of the Knox County Park District.
Having spent her entire professional career conserving and managing natural resources, Totman enjoys educating the public about these vital resources and the natural world. As head of the park district, she has been responsible for managing more than 1,400 acres of woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, ponds, and the wildlife in these ecosystems.
Those assisting in this effort include several part-time operations managers, many volunteers, and seasonal interns.
Totman has written and received several grants to benefit the park district, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry Prescribed Fire STEP grant and the ODNR Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant to pave the last remaining section of the Ohio to Erie Trail/Great American Rail-Trail in Knox and Licking Counties.
Zuck Riparian Preserve was acquired through a Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District grant and funds from the Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County and the Richard and Arline Landers Foundation.
In addition, she obtained funding from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the construction of a 10’ x 10’ bat house that was built by Zane State College students with help from Knox County Career Center ROTC students and OSU Extension Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists.
During her tenure, Totman entered into 15-year lease agreements with ODNR Division of Wildlife on Brinkhaven Park, Mohican Wildlife Area, and an area along Zuck Road/Kokosing River to protect the endangered Eastern hellbender and spotted darter.
Totman successfully negotiated with the Philander Chase Conservancy on the recent purchase of 62 acres adjoining Wolf Run Regional Park and has collaborated with The Nature Conservancy on a mitigation project for the wetlands at Bat Nest Park as well as the removal of the hazardous Brinkhaven low-head dam on the Mohican State Scenic River.
Under her leadership, two replacement levies were passed, and park district staff increased to care for the 1,439 acres under the jurisdiction of the park district, which contain nine parks, 10 river access points on the Kokosing and Mohican State Scenic Rivers, and 14 multi-use trail parking areas.
Other significant accomplishments are the creation and implementation of the ACT NOW river safety signage on the Kokosing and Mohican State Scenic Rivers, the completion of an ADA parking lot at Patton Road, and an ADA parking lot, walkway, and observation deck at Honey Run Waterfall Park.
Of all her achievements, Totman is most proud of the collaborations with partners and agencies to benefit the citizens of Knox County. In 2014, she created the popular Fire and Ice event, which benefitted Food for the Hungry.
By collaborating with the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, the Storybook Trail was brought to Knox County at Wolf Run Regional Park. She has also worked in partnership with the OSU Knox County Extension Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program.
Over the years, she has served on various boards and committees, such as Zane State College Parks, Recreation and Wildlife Committee, Ohio Invasive Plant Council, and Muskingham River Woodland Interest Group.
When not in the office, she is an avid recreational tree climber and is part owner/facilitator of Natural Fit Outdoor Adventures, which provides the opportunity for participants to safely view the world from the heights of a tree.
We sincerely wish her every success with her future plans in retirement and deeply appreciate her many contributions to the Knox County Park District.
Please join us on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. in the Knox County Service Center located at 117 E High Street, Suite 251, for refreshments to bid farewell to Totman and welcome new director David Heithaus.
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