Congratulations to Emmy Fabich, FRMP’s new Volunteer Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation and Events! Emmy’s position will support our MetroParks Volunteer Patrols (MVPs), recreational programs and riding center volunteers, as well as outdoor recreation and RiverScape events volunteers. She will coordinate volunteer support for trail building activities at MoMBA, too.

Some of you may already know Emmy as she has been with MetroParks for the past four years, previously serving as the Recreation Program Specialist in the Outdoor Connections Department. She has led overnight backpacking programs on the TVT, taught rescues and paddling strokes in kayaking programs at Eastwood, worked on bicycles during bike maintenance classes, and initiated the popular Try Slacklining programs, being a slacker herself.

Q: What makes you excited about being a Volunteer Coordinator?

A: “Having been at MetroParks for awhile, I am excited to take on new challenges in this role and look forward to interacting more regularly with volunteers. I think it is important to have a strong volunteer pool to support our great outdoor recreation opportunities so I’m enthusiastic about growing our numbers, as our programs and events get bigger and better. I’m also very excited about seeing more trail-building volunteers out at MoMBA now that I’ll be the contact for workdays. There is no way we could pull off the events or build the facilities we have without our volunteers. I look forward to hearing from more of you and getting you engaged!”

Q: When not recruiting volunteers for programs or events, where can we find you?

A: “In my spare time, I love to do the activities that parallel my previous position and my current one. You can find me outside any time of year, slacklining on some trees, commuting to work by bicycle, tearing-up single track at MoMBA or perfecting my kayak roll. When not recreating, I volunteer regularly with the local young professionals group – UpDayton, leading projects to attract and retain talent in downtown Dayton, something that is very important to me as a downtown resident. And I love to get my hands dirty building houses for Habitat for Humanity or wrenching on one of my three bicycles. I also love to cook!”

Thanks to Emmy, we are looking forward to growing the opportunities for recreation and urban events volunteers. Please contact Emmy by phone at 937-567-1413 or email at [email protected] to find out more about getting involved.

Want to volunteer? Take a look at these upcoming opportunities:

Trail Building Workdays

9 AM – Noon unless otherwise indicated.
2nd Saturday, May-October – TVT Trails (Meet at Germantown MetroPark Office)
3rd Saturday, May-October – Huffman MetroPark/MoMBA
Sugarcreek & Park-wide Workdays

Volunteer for National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast

Friday, May 16 (all shifts are 6:30 – 9:30 AM)
RiverScape MetroPark Pavilion, 111 E. Monument Ave.
Leave your car in the garage, bike downtown, and support this fun-filled event.

Poster Distribution Volunteers for National Bike to Work Day events
Mid-April through the beginning of May, various locations
Pick up from Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office
409 E. Monument Avenue, 3rd Floor
Get Out & Live by hanging-up posters in your community to support National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast and Bike Miami Valley regional events in May.

Bike to Work Trail Magic Stations – A Great MVP Opportunity!
Thursday, May 8, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
In preparation for Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast, volunteers are needed to send out a little trail magic. Stations are meant to bring awareness of bicycle commuting to recreational riders and families.

(From Five Rivers MetroParks)

No cash for a vacation? Too strapped for that new video game console? Relax! Bet you didn’t even know the Miami Valley offers lots to do that will let you escape from the rest of the world for a while – all within 20 minutes of driving or less! Five Rivers MetroParks has offered its visitors miles of recreational trails, acres of gardens and forests, and sprawling river corridors for years, but residents haven’t always taken advantage of these amazing – and free – facilities.

Outdoor recreation offers plenty of interesting, engaging and enjoyable ways to use the outdoors for pleasure. Hard-core recreation enthusiasts have plenty to choose from, and so do families looking for fun places to spend an afternoon together or seniors with limited mobility. People are getting out, getting healthy and having fun. And so can you!

New to outdoor recreation? Many activities require no equipment at all, such as walking or a game of hide-and-seek. Enjoy hundreds of miles of hiking trails that wind their way through your favorite MetroParks. Those who are ready to take their recreational experience to the next level have even more facilities to choose from, such as the MetroParks Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA), the 22-mile Twin Valley Trail backpacking experience, or the region’s extensive network of water trails.

If you’re just starting out, you can take advantage of several options to get you on the right track to a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle. Consider joining a club or meet-up group. Members can share tips and techniques as well as pointers on acquiring gear. You could also get started with a buddy. The best part is when you want to engage in your new hobby at one of your Five Rivers MetroParks, independent use of the facilities is free, so you can enjoy your new activity as often as you like at no additional cost.

One of the best ways to learn more about an outdoor activity and potentially start off on the right path toward your active, healthy lifestyle is to check out GearFest Presented by Subaru Oct. 1-2 at Eastwood MetroPark. Watch live demonstrations or even try out an activity, such as kayaking, disc golf or fly fishing. If you love it, you can head over to the vendors who can hook you up with the gear you need to enjoy your new hobby. Local recreation clubs also will be on hand to lend insight and talent. If you try an activity that you discover isn’t exactly your “thing,” you’re not out anything; admission and parking are free at this event!
This weekend is jam-packed with outdoor adventure and live entertainment, such as the Friday night Yakima Beer Garden and live music presented by WYSO. Too much to take in just one weekend? We understand. Further development in your new favorite outdoor activity awaits through the Five Rivers MetroParks Outdoor Recreation Department. Visit metroparks.org/recreation to learn more about progressive programs that will give you the skills you need to confidently enjoy the outdoors. You can also try something new through a variety of “Try It” programs aimed at beginners.

Get the lowdown on this weekend’s action-packed demos, hard-hitting competitions, enjoyable hands-on activities, invaluable exhibitors and exciting entertainment when you visit www.metroparks.org/GearFest.