PRESS RELEASE

OBETZ EXPANDS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE HELP OF NASCAR AND THE COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

 Obetz, Ohio (October 18, 2011):  Thanks to NASCAR and the Columbus Motor Speedway, Obetz will be planting 40 trees in Memorial Park this fall.  The trees were given to the Columbus Motor Speedway as a part of NASCAR’s Green Clean Air initiative.  The Columbus Motor Speedway is a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track. 

 “NASCAR has taken a leading role to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the sport,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of racing operations, touring and weekly series. “This is a natural next step to extend this program to our tracks that make up the core foundation of NASCAR. The program is key to raising conservation awareness among fans. And, there is no better way to do it than at the grassroots level, where so many of the fans, competitors, and tracks are deeply engaged in their communities.” 

 According to Obetz Mayor, Rod Davisson, Memorial Park is the ideal location for the trees.  The park—adjacent to the Columbus Motor Speedway—contains fishing ponds, playground equipment, athletic fields, and the Obetz Athletic Club and is used by hundreds of people weekly.  “Locating the trees in Memorial Park will improve the park environment by providing shade to the fishing pond, playground, and other open areas.  We are thankful that the Columbus Motor Speedway chose to plant the trees in Memorial Park.  This project is just one of many that the Village has underway to increase our green infrastructure.  We are also planting trees in Lancaster Park thanks to a donation from the Obetz Historical Society.” 

 Trees, parks, and other types of open spaces are critical component of the Village’s green infrastructure network.  According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the critical services trees provide in urban areas are often overlooked.  These include reduced energy use, improved air and water quality, diverse wildlife habitat, and increased human health and well-being.       

A tree planting ceremony will be held in Memorial Park on October 24, 2011 at 5:00 PM.  The public is encouraged to attend.  For more information, contact: Douglas K. Browell at (614) 491-1080 or dbrowell@obetz.oh.us. 

• Lead acid batteries - Crown Battery Company and at all locations of Parts America, AutoZone, and BP ProCare; residents may also take discarded batteries to the Solid Waste Authority Transfer Station scale house located at 2500 Jackson Pike.
• Used tires - Liberty Tire Services located at 3041 Jackson Pike
• Unwanted appliances - Central City Auto Parts (276-9617) or Bargain House (279-6416); residents may also put out unwanted, freon free appliances for weekly trash collection.  If the appliance has a freon line, it must be tagged that the freon has been removed. 
• Household hazardous waste - SWACO facility located at 1249 Essex Avenue

• Don't overwater your lawn.  Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.
• Seed or mulch any bare soil on your property. 
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.  Excess pesticides and fertilizers run off lawns when they are watered or applied before a rain storm.   
• Don't blow soil, grass, or leaves into the street or storm drain.
• Clean up after your pets. 
• Keep your vehicles well-maintained so that they are not dripping fluids.  
• Properly dispose of used auto fluids and batteries.  Don't dump auto fluids into storm drains.
• Plant a rain garden or use a rain barrel.  This keeps the water from getting into the storm drain.