Friends of Stark Parks Events

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

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

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!
Section Navigation
Recent Posts
2023 Jack Cullen Memorial Trout Derby Winners with Berkley Fishing Team Derby Circuit-Spring and Summer 2023 Kids (Ages 4-15) can join the 2023 derby circuit with a chance to fish… More
Nothing says spring like learning how to make your space a welcoming environment for local wildlife! In this series, we will guide you to qualify your backyard as a Certified… More
Happy Earth Day 2023! Officially recognized on April 22, Stark Parks will be hosting Earth Day events in April and throughout 2023. There are not too many things that every… More
Front Row (L to R): Deb Belden, Lindy Anastis, Denise FreelandBack Row (L to R): Wayne Wellbaum, Executive Director Dan Moeglin, Patrick Cooper, Howard Montgomery from NE Ohio Orienteering Club. Not Pictured: Patricia… More
A new Stark Parks logo is being debuted to better reflect the park mission and create more consistency throughout the organization. The last true redesign occurred over 25 years ago when… More
Beginning in March 2023, Stark Parks crews will begin preparing areas at Tam O'Shanter Park for parking lot and driveway updates including removing and relocating trees and vegetation. Construction will… More
Think there's not much to see on the trail? Think again and look around! Enhance your park experience by learning how to identify trees no matter the season. The IdentiTree… 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