Lori Trotman, the Director of Knox County Park District, is set to retire at the end of this year after a decade at the helm of the agency. Trotman was appointed by the Park District Board of Commissioners in 2013.
According to a post on the Knox County Park District's Facebook page, Trotman is a lifelong resident of Knox County. Prior to her appointment as director, she had spent 32 years working with a private, nonprofit conservation organization where she initially served as a naturalist before ascending to the role of conservation director.
The same source revealed that Trotman obtained her Bachelor's degree in Conservation from Kent State University.
As Director of the Park District, Trotman oversaw more than 1,400 acres comprising woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, ponds and various wildlife inhabiting these ecosystems. Her team included part-time operations managers, volunteers and seasonal interns.
Trotman's tenure was marked by successful grant applications including those from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry Prescribed Fire STEP grant and the ODNR Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant. According to another post on the Knox County Park District's Facebook page, it was through these grants that the final section of the Ohio to Erie Trail/Great American Rail-Trail in Knox and Licking Counties was paved. The acquisition of Zuck Riparian Preserve was made possible through a Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District grant and funds from both Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County and Richard and Arline Landers Foundation.
Trotman also secured 15-year lease agreements with ODNR Division of Wildlife for Mohican Wildlife Area, Brinkhaven Park and an area along Zuck Road and Kokosing River aimed at protecting endangered species such as Eastern hellbender and spotted darter. She negotiated for a recent purchase of 62 acres land adjoining Wolf Run Regional Park with Philander Chase Conservancy. Furthermore, she collaborated with The Nature Conservancy on a mitigation project at the wetlands at Bat Nest Park and the removal of Brinkhaven low-head dam.
The Knox County Park District will bid farewell to Trotman at a reception scheduled for 3 p.m. on Dec. 29 at the Knox County Service Center located at 117 E High St., Suite 251, Mount Vernon. The public is invited to attend this event and welcome the new director, David Heithuas.
