Friends of Stark Parks
Friends of Stark Parks is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the mission of Stark Parks through fundraising, membership, and advocacy in Stark County, Ohio.
FSP raises funds through memberships, donations, grants and several annual fundraisers. The FSP Board meets monthly to discuss responsible spending of the monies raised through these events. Join the Friends of Stark Parks Facebook Group and be a part of the conversation.
Because of Your Support
Money raised from FSP supports a variety of supplemental projects in Stark Parks including:
- Water Trail on the Tuscarawas River
- A park-wide bench program
- The planting of trees in various parks
- Support of the Stark Exploring program
- Support of the Dark Sky Initiative
- An established Endowment Fund for the Joseph J. and Helen M. Sommer Wildlife Conservation Center at Sippo Lake Park
Healthy Adventures Now Part of Friends of Stark Parks
Healthy Adventures is now part of your Friends of Stark Parks members incentives beginning in 2024. Healthy Adventures has been a membership-based group of people (and pets on a leash) running, biking, and hiking on local trails that log mileage for individual and club goals. The initiative started over 12 years ago and brought people together to explore new places in Stark County and around NE Ohio for outdoor experiences.
With increased volunteer-led events by the FSP Board and many crossover members involved with both groups, the merge will bring more opportunities for FSP members and strengthen overall support and interest for Stark Parks.
Mileage can be tracked for hiking and running, biking, horseback riding, kayaking/canoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Here's to making 2024 a great year enjoying your Friends of Stark Parks membership and taking advantage of everything you can!
2024 Challenges
Short-term group challenges provide a chance to rally around a cause or have fun reaching a collective goal. Participate in these 2024 activity challenges. Please note that these miles will only count on Stark Parks trails.
Feb. and March 2024: Let's log 1,803 miles to celebrate Ohio’s birthday, representative of the year Ohio became a state. View challenge progress.
June 2024: We're going for 5,000 km (about 3,100 miles) in one month to mimic the lesser-known dragonfly migration from Cuba to the Northern U.S.
October 2024: Can we record 2,000 miles during the month to mimic the monarch butterfly migration? You bet we can!
December 2024: Hike, bike, run, or horseback 2,025 miles to ring in the New Year.
2024 Naturalist and Member Only Programs
Member-only Naturalist programs have been announced for 2024. These programs are for Friends of Stark Parks members only.
Explore Cuyahoga National Park
Oct. 23 at 4 p.m.
Come and explore the beautiful autumn colors Cuyahoga Valley National Park has to offer. Discover the rich local history and native flora and fauna that surround this unique natural landscape. We will hike the 1.8-mile Oak Hill Trail, which is a natural surface so wear appropriate footwear and bring water. Registration for this hike is required and will be available on this page soon. Meet at the Oak Hill Trailhead 3901 Oak Hill Road Peninsula, OH 44264
