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Photography Contest

2024 Preserving Our Heritage Photography Contest

Contest Categories

Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Animals – Photos in this category may include only wild animals. No domesticated animals will be permitted. Photos of Gallant Farm livestock should be entered in the Park District Scenes category. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. 

General Nature – Photos may capture landscapes, plants, animals, and natural phenomena of nature and the environment such as weather, etc. The human element may be present but should be unobtrusive and only present to enhance the scene. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site

Macro – This category showcases a subject larger than it is in real life, i.e., extreme closeups of something small. Photos can feature closeup aspects of plants, animals, and other natural items. No man-made features please. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.  

Park District Scenes – Photos may capture natural or historical features, structures, events, areas, or people found within the parks. Photos may include people but NO portraits will be accepted. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site and the park must be clearly identified in the entry information. 

Youth – Photos in this category must be related to any of the other contest categories. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. This category is for ages 17 and under. 

2024 Guidelines

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult.  Amateur is defined as someone who derives less than 50% of their annual income from the sale of photographs or photographic works.  Preservation Parks’ employees and their families are ineligible to participate in the contest.  Youth must be 17 years or younger.  For questions or information please email entries@preservationparks.com.

  • Entry Deadline is 11:59 p.m., November 3, 2024.
  • All photo entries must be uploaded to our digital asset management platform, Canto. Entries need to be a minimum resolution of 2400 x 3000 pixels, a maximum of 5MB and in jpeg/jpg format. No major digital enhancements or alterations will be accepted. Please do not include any watermarks, date stamps, borders, writing or quotes on photos.
  • Each photo entry must have the following information to be eligible: 
    Enter the information below in the “Description” section when uploading a photo to Canto. 
    1. Photographer’s name, address, phone, and email 
    2. Park or trail and date (if known) of each photo
    3. Contest category photo is being entered
  • Contest Categories: Participants may enter two (2) entries per category. All photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site (park or trail). Please visit our Parks & Trails page to see all Preservation Parks sites.
    • Animals
    • General Nature
    • Macro
    • Park District Scenes
    • Youth (17 and under)
  • No major digital enhancements or alterations will be accepted. Do not include any watermarks, date stamps, names, borders, writing or quotes on your photos. 
  • Photos must be your own and not taken by somebody other than you. Your submission of the entry is your guarantee that you are the author, sole owner and copyright holder of the photo.
  • Judging and Awards:
    • Photos will be reviewed by a panel of Park District staff and will be judged on content, image quality, composition, creativity and storytelling. 
    • First, second, and third place ribbons will be awarded in each category. 
    • One “Best of Show” and one “Reserve Best of Show” ribbon will be awarded across all entries. 
    • A “People’s Choice” ribbon will be awarded based on the number of votes photos receive on the Park District’s Facebook page.
      • People’s Choice voting runs November 14 – December 4, 2024. 
      • All entries will be visible in category folders on the Preservation Parks’ Facebook page where visitors can vote on their favorite photos. 
  • If you are entering any photos, containing recognizable people (photos showing faces), the photo submission must be accompanied by a signed photo release form included here.  Do not take photos of strangers. A form must be signed by each adult in the photo and permission granted by a parent or guardian for any child pictured. A photocopy of the form can be uploaded to Canto with the photo submission. 
  • By entering this contest, each entrant agrees to allow Preservation Parks to use their photograph and/or name in any Park District publication, advertisement, or merchandise without further notice or compensation. Preservation Parks may publish or use any submitted photograph at their sole discretion, giving credit to the photographer where possible. The entrant still retains the right to use and publish their photograph. Preservation Parks reserves the right to reject any photograph if it is deemed as containing objectionable or questionable content.
  • Click here to upload your entries. 

2023 Photo Contest Winners

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Programs

FLEX Trails (Free Local EXercise)

FLEX Trails are established along the trails at Char-Mar Ridge Preserve. Stations set up along the trails include signs that explain how to do various exercises, right there, with no equipment

Geocaching in Preservation Parks

Geocaching and letterboxing are fun hobbies that provide a great reason to enjoy the outdoors. Preservation Parks does allow geocaches and letterboxes to be placed in the parks, as long as Park District guidelines are followed.

Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve got your hiking experience sorted. Explore our curated group hike programs, each with unique themes that cater to diverse interests.

Letterbox Adventure

Letterbox prizes will be available Monday, June 14 at Delaware area libraries and Deer Haven Park. 

Are you ready to win a fun prize pack and explore your local parks? There are letterboxes hidden in 8 Preservation Parks’ and 4 more parks within the city of Delaware. Find at least 4 letterboxes at any park to win a prize, while supplies last.

Mindfulness Trail

This 1 mile walk invites you to several stations that will provide different ways to practice mindfulness along the trail.

Ohio to Erie Trailapalooza

Walk, run, ride, and explore the Ohio to Erie Trail in Delaware, Knox, and Licking counties during an all-day celebration with special stops and events along this section of the trail that extends from the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland.

Photography Contest

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult.  Amateur is defined as someone who derives less than 50% of their annual income from the sale of photographs or photographic works. 

School & Community Outreach

Looking for a fun and engaging learning experience for your school classroom or community group? From night hikes to live animal programs and farm tours to agricultural heritage programs, the Preservation Parks Outdoor Connections Department offers field trip programs covering a variety of natural and cultural history topics. Most are free for Delaware County groups and organizations only, and a great way to introduce your group to our county’s cultural and natural heritage. Scout groups can check out our Scout Badge Days, offered throughout the year.  

Step Into Fall: Hike Them All

Hike all the Preservation Parks’ nature trails, including two new paths, this season with our Step Into Fall Challenge. Sign up for free and receive a Preservation Parks nature trail checklist to mark your journey OR register for $15 and receive a special hiking staff and custom challenge medallion (while supplies last) that you can add yourself. Add a new Hike Them All Challenge medallion to your hiking staff each year.

Summer Exhibit

Step into the “Far Out” realm of space at this immersive exhibit. Explore the mysteries of distant planets as you journey through stunning displays and interactive exhibits. Learn about the unique characteristics of each planet, from the scorching heat of Mercury to the icy depths of Neptune. Marvel at constellation patterns and discover their navigational significance. Embark on a journey of discovery and gain a deeper understanding of your place in the universe.

Trick or Treat Trail

Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free! Drop in any time between 1 – 4 p.m. Program ends at 4 p.m.

Programs

Group Hikes

Embark on a journey with fellow enthusiasts or enrich your knowledge on the go! We’ve

Letterbox Adventure

Letterbox prizes will be available Monday, June 14 at Delaware area libraries and Deer Haven

Mindfulness Trail

This 1 mile walk invites you to several stations that will provide different ways to

Photography Contest

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult. Amateur is defined

Summer Exhibit

Step into the “Far Out” realm of space at this immersive exhibit. Explore the mysteries

Trick or Treat Trail

Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail.