News & Updates

Stark Parks continues to make adjustments to current services based on the recommendations of the Governor’s office and safety measures communicated by the Stark County Health Dept. “We have kept the safety of our staff and patrons at the forefront of every decision we’ve made.  We also understand our commitment…

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…

Stark Parks is proud to announce that the Mindfulness Walk at Petros Lake Park has been selected as a recipient of a 2020 National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) award in the Park and Rec Facility – Class I category. The annual NACPRO awards honor excellence in…

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…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning an ongoing levee project near the Tuscarawas River in August 2020 that will cause intermittent closures along the Towpath Trail. Weekday closures between the Lake Ave. Trailhead in Massillon and Finefrock Rd./Rt. 241 in Massillon will begin in August 2020. Weekend access…

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…

Introducing Find Me FeLeap, another fun scavenger hunt opportunity for you to explore Stark Parks. Ben Weaver, a Jackson High School student and Life Scout with Troop 927-Lake Cable, has designed and placed 12 FeLeap signs hidden across Stark Parks.  Along trails, near wildlife observation areas, and of course next to…

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 around 200 nests with about 300 known eaglets hatching each year.  2018 and 2019 population estimates have been considerably higher. Eaglets at Walborn Reservoir have never been banded by ODNR for safety reasons: the nesting…