Trees at peak fall condition for fall colors at Lake Milton State Park

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

news@vindy.com

LAKE MILTON

With autumn in full swing, there’s a bit of a chill in the air. Picnic tables are empty, nobody is swimming and boat docks are largely vacant.

But Lake Milton State Park isn’t deserted.

Trees are at near peak fall conditions, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Their bright colors of red, yellow and orange draw people to the state parks.

Leaves have started falling in Lake Milton State Park — dry, brown leaves litter the pathways and parking lots — but many still cling to the trees, in a variety of autumn hues.

Squirrels run through them, ducks swim in the lake and birds fly overhead, so there’s plenty for visitors to see.

Nicole Love of Deerfield is the nanny for Jacob Schaffner, 4, and his sister, Jillian Schaffner, 2. The children live in Diamond. The three took a walk in Lake Milton State Park earlier this week.

“We’re running out of time to come and enjoy Mother Nature before the winter comes,” Love said. “They love playing at the park and watching all the squirrels and animals.”

They’ve enjoyed seeing the fall colors on the trees.

“We’ve collected many leaves,” Love said.

Jacob said the fall leaves are pretty. Though his favorite colors are green and blue, he likes when the leaves turn orange and red. He also likes raking leaves at home.

The water level at Lake Milton State Park is dropped every fall to protect private docks from ice damage.

This year, they started dropping the water on Oct. 15, said Doug Lyons, manager.

“A lot of people were on their boats at Lake Milton,” he said. “I’d say more than normal, looking at the leaves.”

Leaves are at about their peak colors now, he said.

It’s a fairly normal year in terms of color and timing at the park, he said.