Country Day at the Hollow Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Quail Hollow Park, June 22

Manor House Tours held during 1977 as preview events of what the park could offer.
Quail Hollow Park and Stark Parks- A Near 40 Year Journey
In the mid-1970s, the Stark County Metropolitan Park District had been in existence for nearly a decade being formed in 1967, but gaining public support and consistent funding was challenging. Maintaining several properties mainly on the western side of Stark County, showing what a true countywide district could look like and why a property tax should be approved by voters was a tough task.
Quail Hollow Park was supposed to be one of the breakthrough places that would give Stark Parks a resource for citizens in eastern Stark County with the help of a standalone levy to maintain and grow. Purchased by the State of Ohio in 1974-75 for $1.7 million (half of the appraised value), the state also struggled to find funding to maintain the grounds and Stewart Manor House. By 1977, the gates remained closed and the mansion empty. Metropolitan Park Director, Rich Fry, planned three open houses that fall to showcase what could be if the November levy would succeed. Over 15,000 people attended those tours with positive reviews. If the levy try passed, the state was to match the $1 million for park maintenance in Stark County. Ironically, this also would have included leasing Walborn Reservoir just to the east in the Alliance area for $1 a year. (Management of Walborn Reservoir happened 20 years later and continues in 2025 for the same price, $1 a year!)
The Nov. levy was defeated as was the next try in 1978 so the State of Ohio moved forward with maintaining the park with a Park Manager, Visitor Center, and feedback about programs and types of activities. It would not be until 1988 when the first levy would pass and more consistent planning could be done. By that time, the idea of Quail Hollow Park was long in the past and both Stark Parks and the state had moved on to other short-term and long-term projects. Quail Hollow Park was an anomaly in the state park model in many ways. The impressive house was not large enough to be managed as a lodge and while 700 acres was expansive it was much smaller than many parks with campgrounds, swimming opportunities, and miles of trails. Funding through the state remained hard to find so partnerships and volunteer projects were used to add amenities and improvements.
The Quail Hollow Volunteer Association was formed in 1982 to help promote and enhance the facilities and preserve and protect the history and heritage of the park. The association helped deliver many enhancements to park experiences outside of the typical state budget and staff resources. Many hours of event planning and fundraising went back into the park and the Stewart Manor House. QHVA became a model program as the first non-profit volunteer group to support an Ohio State Park and received numerous awards and accolades. Members were invited to the White House in 1989 as part of a “Take Pride in America” award for their commitment to volunteerism.
The state continued to build out the park in the 1990s and 2000s with additions like the Nature for All Trail, Gazebo, Mountain Biking Trail, wildlife displays, and a fishing pond. The restoration of the former rock garden behind the Manor House was one of the larger projects that brought many volunteers and community members together.
In 2016, an agreement was signed for Stark Parks to manage the park. It had been four decades since the original idea was proposed in
the 1970s now with more consistent funding and staff and volunteer support! Combined with the efforts of QHVA, work began right away to enhance the visitor experience with driveway paving, house painting, routine Ranger patrols and security, new trail signage, rental areas, and scheduled programming for public groups and requested field trips.
No matter the era or season, Quail Hollow Park has brought a quiet beauty along the trails or in the picnic areas and a chance to consider how people, both residents and visitors, used and enjoyed the property over the years.
June 22 Country Day at the Hollow Event
To honor the 50th Anniversary of Quail Hollow Park as a public park, a Country Day at the Hollow event will be presented on June 22 from Noon to 3 p.m. followed by a Brass Quintet performance from the Canton Symphony Orchestra at 3:30 p.m. Bring your chair or blanket for the free concert. Free activities include: homesteading displays like candle dipping, quill pen writing, and demonstrations, hayrides, cairn terrier dogs, games and activities, history hikes, a sign unveiling, and self-guided Manor House Tours.
Quail Hollow Park is located at 13480 Congress Lake Ave NE, Hartville, OH 44632
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