COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of this year’s Ohio State Parks Photo Contest, according to a press release.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of this year’s Ohio State Parks Photo Contest

  • Andrew Grimm took first, Stacia Waddle second and Tony Everhardt third

  • Those top spots were chosen by a panel made up of ODNR employees

  • You can see the first and second place photos at the Natural Resources Park gift shop through Aug. 4

Andrew Grimm from Urbana, Ohio, took first place for his photo “Sunrise on the Reservoir,” taken at Buck Creek State Park.

In second place was Stacia Waddle from Columbus, Ohio, whose photo titled “Stairway to Heaven,” was taken at Hocking Hills State Park.

Tony Everhardt from Walbridge, Ohio, took third place with the photo “Staring Into the Sunset” at Maumee Bay State Park.

Those top spots were chosen by a panel made up of ODNR employees. The People’s Choice winners consist of those who received the most votes from park enthusiasts. They include:

  • Ernest Barnhart from Kettering, Ohio
  • Kody Beer from Jamestown, Pennsylvania
  • Krystin Evans from Greenwich, Ohio
  • Lauren Grant from Senecaville, Ohio
  • Michelle Rowland from Columbus, Ohio

"Ohio State Parks mean something different to each person, and we love to see the parks through other people’s eyes,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz in the release. “Photographs capture the special moments people enjoy in the parks, and these photo contest winners truly caught those. We thank all our participants and hope these images inspire future park visits.”

You can see the first and second place photos at the Natural Resources Park gift shop through Aug. 4.

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