Category: News
Bob Fonte to Retire as Director
Stark County Park District Director Bob Fonte notified the district’s board of commissioners, at its Nov. 3 meeting, that he will retire effective May 2, 2022. Fonte has served as director for 26 years and, during his tenure, Stark Parks has grown from four parks and one mile of trail…
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 of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and celebration of the first Earth Day in 1970. It would be another…
Find Me FeLeap
Introducing "Find Me FeLeap", another fun scavenger hunt opportunity for you to explore Stark Parks. Ben Weaver, a Jackson High School student and Life Scout with Troop 927-Lake Cable, has designed and placed 12 hidden FeLeap signs across Stark Parks. These signs are tucked away along trails, near wildlife observation areas,…
Hidden Gems of Stark Parks
The great outdoors continues to be one of the safest places to spend time, and Stark Parks has plenty of space to explore. If your usual route has increased in traffic, or you're simply ready to try out a new trail, switch up your route and discover new areas and…
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 Officials (NACPRO) award in the Park and Rec Facility – Class I category. The annual NACPRO awards honor excellence in…
Ohio Bio Exhibit Now Open
A new natural history timeline exhibit called Ohio Bio is now open to visitors. Located inside the Canalway Center at the Exploration Gateway, the exhibit shows some of the significant events that impacted the state’s native animal populations. The free exhibit is currently open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to…
parkrun, a Free 5k Held Saturdays at Sippo Lake Park!
Friends of Stark Parks is proud to offer parkrun USA at Sippo Lake Park! Held every Saturday morning, parkrun is a free, weekly, volunteer-led timed 5k run. Staged at parks around the world, these 5k events are open to everyone – including walkers. Participants only need to register once, where…
Scout Project Proposals at Stark Parks
Thank you for your interest in performing your Eagle Scout or Gold Award project with the Stark Parks. We encourage you to visit our parks to generate a project idea to propose. Successful proposals identify an area of need to enhance our mission to acquire, preserve, and develop natural areas…
Towpath Trail Construction Work in Massillon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began an ongoing levee project near the Tuscarawas River in August 2020. This is a long term project that will affect this section of the towpath through 2022. As of April. 26, 2021, the Towpath Trail is closed between Cherry Rd. and Lake Ave.…
Walborn Reservoir Eagle Nest Report
We hope you enjoy the observations of eagle watching volunteers and invite you to stop by the nest site located on the west side of Walborn Reservoir. Laws protecting eagles define how close you can get to a nest; do not walk any closer than the wooden Observation Deck that…
