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How to Donate

Donations are made to Friends of Stark Parks, a charitable 501 (c) (3) organization. Friends of Stark Parks supports Stark Parks as a partner in preserving and protecting the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in Stark County.

Family hiking in wetlands

Contributions and Donations

Your tax-deductible gift to Friends of Stark Parks will be used to support Stark Parks' effort to be the community leader in promoting the responsible use of Stark County’s natural resources; in educating our community and enlisting its involvement in conservation education; and in supporting facilities and programs.

Tributes

Your tribute gift honors the importance of someone special in your life and creates a lasting contribution towards the future of Stark Parks. Donating in tribute in lieu of flowers or at a family’s bequest is an impactful way to support Stark Parks while honoring someone’s life.

Father and kids looking over Sippo Lake

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Celebration Garden Layout

Celebration Gardens

Molly Stark Park will be a designated Celebration Garden program site. A habitat and/or wildlife area will be established and will feature natural areas with native plants, as opposed to traditional flower gardens. The site will be indicated with signage and will direct visitors to this area of the website to access information about those who have contributed or are being honored.

Download the Brochure

Leave a Legacy

Did you know that you can give to Stark Parks in a variety of ways? Not just by volunteering, but in creative ways that allow you to use your assets? Thanks to our Permanent Endowment Fund through the Stark Community Foundation, Friends of Stark Parks supporters can make charitable contributions to benefit Stark Parks. Your tax-deductible gifts to benefit the Stark Parks Endowment Fund or the Wildlife Conservation Center building fund can include:

Cash
Publicly Traded Securities
Real Property
Tangible Personal Property
Other Property

Tall trees at Deer Creek Reservoir

Friends of Stark Parks can also accept planned gifts to the endowment fund to assure the mission of Stark Parks will continue into the future. Planned gifts accepted can include:

Bequests
Life Estates
Life Insurance Policies
Life Income Programs
Retirement Plan Gifts
Charitable Gift Annuity
Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Lead Trust

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Recent Posts

Mar 13

COVID-19 Updates and Cancellations

At Stark Parks, we continue to look out for the safety of our visitors and employees during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see below for the latest information regarding programming, facilities,… More

Mar 13

On Your Own Adventures!

The safety of our park, trail, and program visitors has always been our top priority. While we have made the decision to suspend all public and volunteer programs as well… More

Feb 20

FeLeap Year Celebrates 53 Years of Stark Parks!

The year 2020 marks the 53rd year of Stark Parks serving the Stark County community. Over the last 53 years, we've offered parks and trails, wildlife education and rehabilitation, and the management… More

Jan 8

Curious Keen-Ager Series

Everyone is getting older, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop discovering new things, exploring new places, and working toward physical and mental wellness! The Curious Keen-Agers series captures… More

Dec 9

parkrun, Free 5k Held Saturdays at Sippo Lake Park!

Stark Parks would like to stress our top priority is the safety of our visitors and employees. At this time, the park district has made the decision to temporarily suspend… More

Mar 20

Issue #20, Renewal Levy Information

On December 4, 2019, the Stark County Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted to place a 1 mill renewal levy on the ballot in the March 2020 election (now… More

Feb 19

Back the Blue Bass Tournament

Stark Parks presents Back the Blue, a new bass fishing tournament held at Walborn Reservoir on May 16, 2020! Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.… More

Feb 1

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… More

Towpath Trail Closed in Areas

We expect water to recede over the weekend. As of 6/21/19, we cannot access trail damage or downed trees in many areas. These areas will be closed to trail users until a full inspection is complete. Please follow all trail closing barricades and signs.

View All Park and Trail Alerts

Hi There! We hope you are looking to Opt Outside today or any day. Take a break from buying presents and be present. Your body and mind thank you!

Start Exploring!

Feedback Requested!

We are now accepting public comment on the Phase 4 Iron Horse Trail proposal through January 29, 2019.

E-bike Pilot Program

Class 1 e-bikes are permitted to ride on multi-purpose trails (crushed limestone or asphalt). E-bikes are not permitted on natural surface, equestrian, or mountain bike trails. A class 1 e-bike is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

Trail Closed

We expect water to recede over the weekend. As of 6/21/19, we cannot access trail damage or downed trees in many places. These areas will be closed to trail users until a full inspection is complete. Please follow all trail closing barricades and signs.

View All Park and Trail Alerts

Marinas Open for Season May 1

Registration Reminder!

1. Make sure you register and pay (if applicable) for the camp. 2. Print your waiver and bring it with you to camp. 3. Read over special instructions and welcome letter. 4. Call us at 330.477.3552 with any questions.

Serenades in the Park Concert Cancelled-Petros Lake Park

The concert has been cancelled as of 12 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2019 due to inclement weather in the forecast at the performance time. The exact same performance will be held tomorrow, Monday Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. on the steps of North Canton City Hall, 145 N. Main St., North Canton, 44720.

Deadline Approaching: Order Club Apparel by Feb. 9!

Use the Shop Apparel Button on the main page or the button below!

New Date and Time for March 2020 Board Meeting

New Meeting Date: Thursday March 5, at 6 p.m.

Location: Exploration Gateway-Sippo Lake Park North 5712 12th St. NW, Canton 44708

COVID-19 Updates

Parks and trails continue to remain open for people (and pets) to use and enjoy. Rangers will continue patrols and operations crews will service the trash cans in compliance with the health order. For our patron’s safety Stark Parks has added additional closures. The complete list includes: • Public Buildings • Shelters • Restrooms, including porta johns • Playgrounds • Eagle Observation Deck at Walborn Reservoir (observation is allowed with personal equipment and no more than 2 people on the deck at a time)

Be courteous and safe. Continue physical distancing. Stay home if you don’t feel well and continue to wash hands frequently and thoroughly.

More Information

COVID-19 UPDATES

All parks and trails remain open at this time. Playgrounds and restroom facilities are closed. Park Rangers continue standard patrols and can be reached at 330-353-2377. Stark Parks will continue to follow guidance provided by all federal, state and local health authorities.

At this time, we have temporarily suspended public programs through April 12. Registration fees for programs scheduled between these dates will be refunded.

All public buildings and facilities are closed through Sun., April 12, including Administration Offices, Exploration Gateway, the Wildlife Conservation Center, Quail Hollow Park (Manor House and Nature Center), and all reservable shelters. Reservations scheduled between now and April 12 will be offered an opportunity to reschedule or receive a refund. No fees will be taken for new reservations, but we will put temporary holds on facilities for dates after April 12.

For general information, please call (330) 477-3552. Continue to check this page for the most up-to-date information, or follow us at Facebook.com/starkparks.

Eagle Observation Open with Restrictions

No group viewing at this time, but you are permitted to view with your OWN equipment.

A maximum of 2 people on the deck at any time.