We recently received some kind words and an important reminder we wanted to share:

I just wanted to do a shoutout to the Hamilton County Parks and what they provide to the public. We are very lucky to have the lakes and all that they offer.

I started visiting the parks twenty-two years ago and got into my first bass fishing tournaments at the age of eight and I believe the preservation of the outdoors rests soley on the shoulders of the youth of today. In the evergrowing population, with the development of land for housing, I think it’s important to take a child fishing and let them experience the great outdoors for themselves – get away from the television, computer, game system and cell phones – and really appreciate the parks.

I started taking my daughter Addilyn at 2 years old. She caught her very first bluegill last year on a boat at Winton Woods. Now she’s 3; she asks me to go on a weekly basis. A child’s first fishing trip sets the tone for if they are going to be interested so make a great first impression.

As a serious bass angler of tournaments for many years, I had to take it back to my childhood and tone the seriousness down that I fish tournaments with, and just go fishing and truly make sure that my daughter had a great time. So take a child fishing and spend that quality time; that’ll be so much more important to them than buying them items to make them happy. I just wanted to spread the word and to give insight to anyone considering coming out to the parks: make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Brian McLucas

Thanks for the reminder, Brian!