Teachers from area schools are giving children hands-on learning experiences on the environment at Flory Park. Working with Marti Kolb, City of Newark Environmental and Special Projects Coordinator, educators are able to design curriculum based on what is going on in their classrooms. Children are learning about the use of recycled products or materials as well as how litter affects wildlife, and studies on stream water.

In addition to schools, local organizations such as Cub Scout Pack 15 built 6 bird houses for the Park. The boys and their parents will monitor and take care of the houses as needed.

Flory Park is an educational park partially constructed of recyclable materials. The land was given to the Licking County Foundation by the Flory family in 1973 and leased to the City of Newark. The Foundation’s Governing Committee approved funds for the Park and dedicated it on May 24, 2001.

Since its opening, many schools and community organizations have used the Park. Wal-Mart, in Newark, used the Park for their Earth Day event featuring activities for children including seed planting, coloring contests and other environmental learning experiences. The City of Newark had stations for Earth bracelets, butterfly coloring and a display of recycled products.

The latest feature at Flory Park is a cable bridge which spans Raccoon Creek connecting Flory Park with the bike path. The bridge is a swinging bridge like the one in the Harrison Ford movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It is 250 feet long and only 36 inches wide. Designed by Jim Riddel of Granville, the bridge is a unique design and an important addition to the Park.

Funding for the bridge has been provided by the Flory Family, State Farm Insurance and generous donations of time, and effort by members of the Buckeye Valley Building and Industry Association and American Electric Power.