Deerassic Park Plans, Achievements and Goals

Plans

The Deerassic Park Education Center’s live deer attraction will allow visitors the opportunity for a close-up and personal viewing of a genetically superior herd. This herd is a center of attraction for our school field trips.

When the park is fully open to the public, visitors will witness some of the largest whitetail bucks in captivity.

Emphasizing respect and compassion, the experience with Deerassic Park’s tame and semi-tame deer will find visitors walking away with a greater appreciation for all of nature. Plans are underway to enlarge the deer enclosure for general viewing from the pavilion area. The perimeter of the entire enclosure will be accessible by hiking trails, allowing excellent viewing of the spectacular deer in their natural habitat.

"Dinosaur"

ACHIEVEMENTS

2010

The park officially opens the first Saturday of every month
LoCash Cowboys and Ruff Creek are scheduled for Friday at the Classic
Darryle Singletary and the Double Barrel Tour (Andy Griggs and Rhett Akins) are scheduled for Saturday
First YOUTH FISHING DAY is scheduled in conjunction with our first Derassic Park sponsored CATHFISH TOURNAMENT
Deerassic holds it first Physically Challenged Bow Hunters of America Hunt

2009

Kicking Bear attendees reach 1,000 - becoming the largest in the nation
First Wildlife Art Benefactor fundraiser
Hosted our first open house for area hunters during deer season
Entertainment expands at the Classic
Sammy Kershaw and Ruff Creek perform Friday night
Aaron Tippin and The Honey Tonk Tailgate Party (Mark Wills, Jeff Bates, and Trent Wilmon) perform on Saturday

2008

Advisory Board is Formed
Third Pavilion is Completed in our Event Area
A Smaller Multi-Purpose/Storage building is completed
Host the annual Bereavement Kids Camp for Guernsey County Hospice
Tracy LAwrence Wows the Friday crowd after being delayed by a lighting storm
Cowboy Crush and Ruff Creek perform Saturday to top off the Class Weekend

2007

Multipurpose Building is completed and the main offices moved out of the small cabin
Dinosaurs return for a limited time during September and October
Dunning Motor Sales, Inc donates replacement vehicles to the NWDEF
The Confederate Railroad and Ruff Creek perform on Saturday at the Classic
Poverty Neck Hillbillies perform Friday at the Kick off Party
Fireworks are Added to the Classic Weekend
One-of-a-Kind Deerassic Classic Truck is added to the Friday night ticket

2006

First SPRING FLING - tied in with Earth Day to get kids back outdoors after Winter
Guernsey County moves their annual Cystic Fibrosis "Great Strides" fundraiser to Deerassic Park
Dinosaurs visit Deerassic Park for the month of October
The Grass Roots headline the Saturday evening with Poverty Neck Hillbillies following Ruff Creek makes the first of many appearances at the Classic by performing Friday night
Friday ticket doubles in size
the OUTDOOR EXPO grows to an official tow-day event as part of the Classic weekend
First Kicking Bear Archery Shoot and Campout in Ohio is held at Deerassic Park

2005

First FALL FESTIVAL - Outdoor fun family event
First TRAIL OF TREATS - Designed to allow businesses and organizations to offer "Trick or Treat" safely to local families
Charlie Daniels performs at the Classic on Saturday
Third Wheel performs at the Kick off Party - Friday Night

2004

•Continued development of successful classroom and field trip programs
• Excavation, road, and infrastructure improvements (parking lots, electricity, lake, museum complex sitework)
• Land development into park-like conditions with primitive camping area
• Donation of two company trucks from Dunning Motor Sales of Cambridge, Ohio, with striking graphics
• Building of 60' x 100' multi-purpose pavilion
• First Ancient Arts Festival and Knap-In in June, drawing national exhibitors and performers
• Partnerships with supporting corporations and organizations
• Expanded Deerassic Classic Giveaway fundraiser in August to two days, featuring spokesperson Irlene Mandrell, Horton Crossbow Celebrity Challenge, entertainment, and camping
• Creation of Outside Is In Education Fund
• A Breath Of Fresh Air outdoor family fun day in August to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Educational displays at festivals and outdoor shows
• Development and improvements to interpretive hiking trails

2003

• First annual Deerassic Classic Giveaway draws 11,500 visitors to park fundraiser in August
•NWDEF purchase of 117-acre Deerassic Park property
• Hiring of professional staff
• Launching of outdoor education programs
• Production of promotional video

2002

• Building of Welcome Center
• Annual membership picnic on Deerassic Park grounds
• Engineering plans for grounds
• Architectural design for Ohio Whitetail Hall of Fame Museum complies
•Plans for first annual Deerassic Classic Giveaway fundraiser to be held in August 2003

GOALS

• Enlarge deer enclosure for public viewing from pavilion and event area
• Improvements to hiking trails and access
• Entrance sign
• Continued infrastructure improvements (roads, restroom facilities, amphitheater)
• Building of activity and office building that will also be a temporary museum
• Public opening for park visits
• Expansion of educational programs
• Halloween festival
• Continued development of seasonal festivals
• Construction and operation of the Ohio Whitetail Hall of Fame Museum complex, featuring the museum, themed restaurant, trading post and gift shop