News & Updates

Stark Parks will be making adjustments to current services based on the recommendations of the Governor’s office and availability of safety supplies.  Openings of services will be tiered, based on future recommendations and the ability to provide a safe, quality visit to parks and trails. “We have the responsibility to…

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 and conservation of local resources like greenspace and waterways. Our anniversary is this month, but we’re celebrating all year long…

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 as close public facilities until further notice for the well-being of all, our parks and trails remain open to enjoy! While…

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…