“I was a troubled young man, if it wasn’t for 4-H, I probably would never have finished high school, much less college and graduate school,” Olinsky said.
Olinsky was a city kid, growing up in Trenton, N.J. He vividly remembers his first 4-H Club project collecting and raising insects. Little did he know that more than six decades later, 4-H would still be part of his life.
Olinsky, now “73 years young,” as he refers to it, was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame this spring. He was recognized for significant lifetime contributions of service to the 4-H program and for having made a positive impact upon local and state 4-H programs.
“Over my career, I’ve been nominated for and received many wonderful accolades, but the one for 4-H meant more to me than any of them,” he said. “After 66 straight years involved with 4-H, I’m so honored to receive this.”
Olinsky participated in 4-H programs for a decade throughout his childhood, followed by working as a 4-H educator in New Jersey and New York. Since moving to the Miami Valley more than 40 years ago, he has also served on the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board, judged 4-H members at numerous county fairs and the Ohio State Fair and served as a mentor for 4-H members.
The Huber Heights resident first made his mark locally as the director of the Cox Arboretum in 1980. In 1986, he took the reigns of Five Rivers MetroParks as the chief executive officer, a position he held until 2001.
Under his leadership, the MetroParks expanded exponentially. He was a driving force behind the development of RiverScape MetroPark and a facility close to his heart — Adventure Central.
“It was not in Marvin’s nature to be satisfied with ‘what is,’ ” said Five Rivers MetroParks director of conservation Dave Nolin. “He had a lot of ideas that were truly visionary, and he also knew how to raise money and talk people into stuff.”
While working as the MetroParks CEO, Olinsky envisioned a facility with a program designed for urban youth in limited income neighborhoods. That dream became a reality at Adventure Central, at Wesleyan MetroPark in Dayton. More than 200 young people participate annually in a variety of programs at the youth education center. Adventure Central — which will celebrate its 15th anniversary this fall –is the result of a partnership between Five Rivers MetroParks, the Ohio State University Extension and 4-H Youth Development. It engages urban youth by building trusting and positive relationships with caring adults for the purpose of connecting them and their parents with nature.
“It far surpasses my dreams,” Olinsky said.
Adventure Central director Nate Arnett credits Olinsky’s ability to think outside the box with the creation and success of this innovative program and facility.
“He had the ability to come up with a lot of innovative ideas and the dedication to see them come to fruition,” Arnett said. “Marvin is truly a passionate and innovative leader.”
Olinsky, however, is quick to share the credit with colleagues such as Arnett.
“I am a lucky man. I had the honor of working with so many team players over the years,” Olinsky said. “If I’m successful, it’s because they made me successful.”
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