Our Mission

Our Mission:  Stark Parks mission is to preserve, manage, and connect natural areas to serve the community through recreation, conservation and education.

Our Vision:  Stark Parks will be recognized as an essential community asset.

Our Values:

1. Integrity/Trust

2. Teamwork

3. Customer Service

4. Environmental Stewardship

5. Work Ethic

6. Respect for Each Other

7. Community Partnerships

8. We have fun!

Board of Commissioners

The Stark County Park District is an independent political subdivision created and governed by Section 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code. A volunteer five-member Park Commission is appointed by the Probate Court and governs the Park District. 

Members of the Park Commission are very interested in your thoughts and comments, and invite members of the public to the monthly meetings. 

Five Park Board members and park director posing for photo

Board Members

(left to right) Andrew Hayden, Chairperson
Denise Freeland, Vice-Chairperson

Bill Bryan
Patricia Quick
Ralph Dublikar

(far left) Park Director, Robert Fonte

 

 

Board Meeting Protocol During COVID-19

  • Meetings to take place in Exploration Gateway combined rooms A & B
  • Only individuals attending park board meeting will be admitted into building 
  • Max room occupancy: 50
  • All chairs, tables, etc. will be sanitized prior to meeting and will be set 6’ or more apart
  • Painter’s tape will dictate traffic flow in and out of the room
  • Sign-in table will be in the atrium
    • Signage posted near table with COVID-19 information 
    • Sign in sheet at table 
    • Clean pens in jar – when used once, place in “dirty pens box”  (to be sanitized later)
    • Thermometer at table to be used if individuals state they might have temperature
    • Sanitary wipes at desk
    • Masks will be made available to participants who need one.  Masks are strongly recommended.
  • 25 extra chairs will be on hand and used if necessary for overflow into atrium
  • Upper atrium restrooms will be closed 
  • Participants will be directed to lake level restrooms during/after meeting
2020 Schedule and Minutes
2019 Minutes
2020 Schedule and Minutes

2020 Meeting Schedule

2019 Minutes

Contact the Park Board

Contact the Board of Commissioners

Members of the Park Board of Commissioners are interested in your feedback and invite residents to attend monthly meetings.

Sending

Recent Posts

Aug 11
COVID-19 Updates

Stark Parks has updated the next phase of the COVID-19 plan and continues to make adjustments to current services based on the recommendations of the Governor’s office and available safety… More

Jul 20
Mindfulness Walk Presented with NACPRO Award

Stark Parks is proud to announce that the Mindfulness Walk at Petros Lake Park has been selected as a recipient of a 2020 National Association of County Parks and Recreation… More

Jun 16
Towpath Trail Closed Weekdays in Massillon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning an ongoing levee project near the Tuscarawas River in August 2020 that will cause intermittent closures along the Towpath Trail. Weekday closures… More

Mar 13
On Your Own Adventures!

The safety of our park, trail, and program visitors has always been our top priority. While we have made the decision to suspend all public and volunteer programs as well… More

Feb 20
FeLeap Year Celebrates 53 Years of Stark Parks!

The year 2020 marks the 53rd year of Stark Parks serving the Stark County community. Over the last 53 years, we've offered parks and trails, wildlife education and rehabilitation, and the management… More

Feb 1
Celebrating 50 Years

Humble Beginnings (1960s and 1970s) The year was 1967. Although Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources had been established 18 years before in 1949, it was three years before the establishment… More

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