Earth Day Every Day Series
Happy Earth Day 2024! Officially recognized on April 22, Stark Parks will be hosting Earth Day events in April and throughout the year. There are not too many things that every person in this world has in common, but it starts with sharing this planet together.
On Earth Day, we look at what we have done in the past and what we hope to do in the future from a personal perspective and a larger community. We invite you to come together with other individuals, families, and groups and show appreciation for our mother earth by participating in these service activities and programs. In 2023, the impact of human power was great. Earth Day Everyday efforts 2023 removed 41 tires - Removed 4,860 pounds of invasive garlic mustard - Collected & cleaned 16 species of native plants (approximately 17,200 seeds) - Removed 2 dump truck + 1 truck bed worth of trash - Collected 3,000 pounds of e-waste
2024 Clean Up and Activity Schedule
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Park and Trail Clean Up
Join us on the 54th anniversary of Earth Day for a morning clean up at two different locations! A representative from Stark Parks will provide instructions, gloves, and trash bags for volunteers. Off the trail the surface may be uneven exceeding a 5% grade, so volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, long-sleeve shirts, and pants. We look forward to your help! Please use the registration above to sign up to volunteer.
April 20, 2024
Clean-ups begin at 9 a.m.
Iron Horse Trail (North side of trail in Alliance)
Volunteers will walk on and along the trail picking up trash. Further parking instructions will be sent after registration.Esmont Park
194 Mill St. SE, Canton, OH 44707
No additional volunteers are needed as of April 13, 2024. -
City Nature Challenge
April 27
Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park
5712 12th St. NW, Canton 44708The annual “City Nature Challenge” is when community members of all ages explore the outdoors and document all things nature – plants and mushrooms, or birds and butterflies, or tracks and scat. This is an international community science competition where cities are in a contest against each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people.
In 2022, our region placed 7th in the world overall. Bring your camera or smartphone to Sippo Lake Park.
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Garlic Mustard Contest (Invasive Species Pull)
May 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wildlife Conservation Center-Sippo Lake Park
800 Genoa Ave., Massillon 44646Stark Parks has joined the annual garlic mustard pulling contest against the City of Green, Put-In-Bay, Portage Park District, and others. Join us at the Wildlife Conservation Center to help Stark County come out on top! Garlic mustard, an invasive weed that poses a threat to our native plants and wildlife, is easily pulled by hand. In rare cases it can be mildly irritating to the skin, so wear long sleeves, and bring your competitive spirit! Registration not required, drop-in anytime to help.
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River Clean-Up Cancelled, Teasel Removal at Petros Lake Park
August 13, 2024 River Clean Up Cancelled
The Tuscarawas River clean up has been cancelled.
We encourage groups and individuals to help Stark Parks restore the meadow at Petros Lake Park on Aug. 13 between 6 and 8 p.m. instead. Meet at the north parking lot off Perry Dr. by the kiosk.
Volunteers will learn about invasive Teasel and remove them from the Meadow Trail by sniping off the seed heads and bagging them. Please wear pants and bring water, pruners, and gloves because Teasel is pokey. Extra gloves and pruners will be available. The terrain is relatively flat, but expect to go off the path.
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Seed Collection and Cleaning
Native Seed Collections and Cleanings
Oct. 11 at 1 p.m., Seed Collection
Petros Lake Park-Woodland ShelterNov. 1 at 1 p.m., Seed Cleaning
Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park -
Trash to Treasure Recycle Art Contest
Another person's trash could be your ticket to a winning project! Join Stark Parks, Goodwill, Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore Canton for our annual upcycle contest in celebration of America Recycles Day! We’re looking for the most unique project themed around a bluebird box made entirely of recycled items.
