Friends of Stark Parks Events

Locktender's replica brick house with trail and canal in front

Spring Peeper Run/Walk

April 1, 2023
St. Helena Heritage Park

2 mile/8:30 a.m./$20     5 mile/9:15 a.m./$35      Combo option ($50) also available!

Enjoy a fun, family event celebrating the first signs of spring with the peepers chorus in the background!  This beautiful flat course includes portions of the Towpath and Olde Muskingum Trails in Canal Fulton.  The 5-mile and combo races are a great tune-up for upcoming spring marathons and half marathons!  The Spring Peeper race is family friendly.

Swag

Participants of the 2-mile and 5-mile receive a cool shirt and medals!  Post-race food is also available.

Age Categories

5-mile awards will be given to the top 5 men and women overall and the top 3 finishers in each age groups (ages 1-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44,45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-63, 64-69, 70-74, 80+).
Special awards will be given in the Combo Event.

Wild Night for Wildlife Fundraiser

Wild Night for Wildlife

Sept. 14, 2023, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Gervasi Vineyard Resort and Spa

Join Friends of Stark Parks premier fundraiser, Wild Night for Wildlife, this year in the Ballaria Sophia room at Gervasi Vineyard and Spa. Heavy hors d'oevres, fine wines, craft beers, live music, and an abundance of silent auction items. The proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Wildlife Conservation Center at Sippo Park and other needed Stark Park projects.

Tickets are $125 per person ($50 of each ticket is a donation to Friends of Stark Parks).  Registration coming soon!

Auction items received to date:

Akron Zoo--gift basket and a 'behind the scenes tour.  $400 value
Let's Roam epic scavenger hunt/team building app.  $700 value
Craig Personal Jewelers
Athen's Restaurant gift basket.

Glow Paddle Fundraiser

Kayaks with glow lights

Aug. 12, 2023, Evening
Sippo Lake Marina

The Stark County Ski Club and Friends of Stark Parks are partnering for their second annual Glow Paddle Fundraiser to raise funds for an adaptive kayak launch at Deer Creek Reservoir.

Join us for some paddling fun and support our cause through prizes and raffles! No fee to participate, however donations are encouraged!