News & Updates

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 energizing and engaging topics and experiences geared toward adults aged 55 and over. These programs are easy to sign up…

Stark Parks Volunteers and their accomplishments were celebrated at a red carpet-themed dinner on Thursday, November 21 at the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park. The theme was a nod to the superstar individuals and groups who donate their time and energy in assisting Stark Parks. Volunteers totaled an estimated 19,372…

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. This funding will allow the park district to continue operations and maintain existing parks, trails, and facilities. The 1 mill renewal…

Friends of Stark Parks is proud to bring parkrun USA to Sippo Lake Park! parkrun is a completely free, weekly (held every Saturday morning), timed 5k staged at parks around the world, led by volunteers.   These 5k events are open to everyone – including walkers. Participants only need to register…

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 of the federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and celebration of the first Earth Day in 1970. It would be another…

Thank you for your interest in performing your Eagle Scout or Gold Award project with the Stark Parks. We encourage you to visit our parks to generate a project idea to propose. Successful proposals identify an area of need to enhance our mission to acquire, preserve, and develop natural areas…

In 1979 there were only four eagle pairs in Ohio. The state is now home to over 200 nests and with around 300 known eaglets hatching each year. The eaglets at Walborn Reservoir have never been banded by ODNR for safety reasons: the nesting tree has been struck by lightning several…