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.
Board Members
Denise Freeland, Chairperson
Bill Bryan, Vice-Chairperson
Patricia Quick
Ralph Dublikar
David Regula
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
2021 Board Meeting Schedule
- Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 2, 202 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 3 at 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
2020 Meeting Schedule
- Jan. 8, 2020 at 2 PM at the Sippo Lake Clubhouse
Agenda Minutes - Feb. 12, 2020 at 2 PM at the Sippo Lake Clubhouse
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Minutes - March 5, 2020 at 6 PM at the Exploration Gateway (Sippo Lake Park-North)
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills - April 1, 2020 at 2 PM, Watch Live Stream
Agenda (Amended) Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills March 5 Meeting Minutes - (Special Meeting) April 29, 2020 at 2 PM, Watch Live Stream
Agenda - May 6, 2020 at 2 PM Watch Live Stream
Public comments will be accepted no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to parkboard@starkparks.com
Please provide your name, address, and telephone number Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills April 1 Minutes April 29 Special Meeting Minutes
Exhibit A Telecommuting Policy
Exhibit B Project List and Budget - June 3, 2020 at 2 PM Watch Live Stream
Public comments will be accepted no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 to parkboard@starkparks.com
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Project List and Budget May 6 Minutes
Exhibit A Marina Pricing
Exhibit B Marina Pricing
Exhibit C Rental Rates - July 1, 2020 at 2 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Director's Report and Project List and Budget Payroll and Bills June 3 Minutes
Exhibit B Wildlife Conservation Center Volunteer Handbook
Exhibit C Use of Force
Exhibit D Use of Force
Exhibit E Bias Free Policing
Exhibit F Bias Free Policing
Exhibit G Complaint Processing
Exhibit H Complaint Processing
Exhibit I Complaint Processing
Exhibit J Hiring
Exhibit K Hiring
Exhibit L Community Engagement
Exhibit M Community Engagement
Exhibit N Vehicular Pursuits
Exhibit O Vehicular Pursuits
Exhibit P Body Worn Cameras
Exhibit Q Body Worn Cameras
- Aug. 4, 2020 at 5:30 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Director's Report and Project List and Budget Payroll and Bills July 1 Minutes
Exhibit B Wildlife Conservation Center Volunteer Handbook
Exhibit C Use of Force
Exhibit D Use of Force
Exhibit E Bias Free Policing
Exhibit F Bias Free Policing
Exhibit G Complaint Processing
Exhibit H Complaint Processing
Exhibit I Complaint Processing
Exhibit J Hiring
Exhibit K Hiring
Exhibit L Community Engagement
Exhibit M Community Engagement
Exhibit N Vehicular Pursuits
Exhibit O Vehicular Pursuits
Exhibit P Body Worn Cameras
Exhibit Q Body Worn Cameras - Sept. 1, 2020 at 2 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Aug. 4 Minutes
Exhibit A 2021 Proposed Budget
Exhibit B Extend Union Contract - Oct. 6, 2020 at 5:30 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Sept. 1 Minutes Project List and Budget
Exhibit A Iron Horse Trail Easement
Exhibit B Revised Motor Vehicle Use Policy - Nov. 4, 2020 at 2 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Oct. 6 Minutes Project List and Budget - Dec. 1, 2020 at 2 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Nov. 4 Minutes Project List and Budget Exhibit B Proposed Budget Exhibit C Extend Union Contract - Jan. 5, 2021 at 5:30 PM at the Exploration Gateway
Agenda Financial Report Budget Grant Status Payroll and Bills Dec. 1 Minutes Project List and Budget Exhibit A Organizational Chart Exhibit B Park Board of Commissioners Policy Manual Updates Exhibit C Donation of Property-2004 Canterbury Creek Exhibit C2 Donation of Property-2004 Canterbury Creek
Contact the Park Board
Recent Posts
Stark Parks continues to make adjustments to current services based on the recommendations of the Governor’s office and safety measures communicated by the Stark County Health Dept. “We have kept… More
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
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
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
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
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
