Regulations & Ordinances
The Public Safety Dept. or Rangers exist to help you, so don’t be shy about saying hello or reporting any concerns. Users should follow all rules and regulations.
Reach an on-duty Ranger at 330.353.2377
Frequently Asked Questions
All pets must be leashed while on park property and owners must dispose of pet waste properly
Camping is generally not permitted in Stark Parks. A primitive campsite is located at the Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead for individuals or small groups hiking or biking the Towpath Trail. Car camping is not permitted. Organized camping by civic groups or other recognized organizations may be allowed with approval in advance.
Fires are not permitted except in park grills or personally owned grills and only for cooking purposes.
Alcohol is not permitted on general park property.
In response to recent legislation enacted by the State of Ohio, Stark Parks has updated our rules and regulations to conform with state law.
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.
All-terrain vehicles are not permitted in any area.
All state fishing regulations apply. If you are 16 years of age or older, you are required to have a license. Seniors also need to have a license, but may have a fee waived. Contact ODNR for these details.
Hunting is permitted only in designated areas within the park district and all state hunting regulations apply.
The speed limit on most park roadways and parking lots is 15 mph. Please obey all posted speed limits.
Swimming is not permitted in any body of water within the park district.
Freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources.
Special events that fall under First Amendment rules include:
- Distribution and/or sale of printed matter
- Religious services
- Public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.
- Collecting signatures for petitions
First Amendment activities with over 25 participants require the approval of a Special Event Request. The park may regulate the time, place and manner in which these activities are conducted.
All printed material that will be distributed must be attached to the initial application for review. Free speech sites have been designated at specific Stark County Park District locations.
littering; feeding wildlife; removing flowers, shrubs and other property; metal detecting, disorderly conduct; public indecency and nudity; fireworks; and posting and distributing signs or advertisements
Drones are not permitted to take off or land within the park district but they are able to overfly the park district as long as they do not touch the ground. The operator also needs to be aware of the rules regarding flight beyond visual reference in the rules regarding flying over people.
Use (CRTL + F) as the shortcut to search for keywords.
Recent Posts
Happy Earth Day 2023! Officially recognized on April 22, Stark Parks will be hosting Earth Day events in April and throughout 2023. There are not too many things that every… More
Celebrate the fall season with this free, non-scary family event at two entrances of Sippo Lake Park on Oct. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. Crafts, games, pumpkin party with… More
https://youtu.be/6Zl-aol9yLk Many of the plants and trees within Stark Parks are in their seed stage, which means it’s time to collect and clean these seeds. All are welcome to join… More
A new Stark Parks logo is being debuted to better reflect the park mission and create more consistency throughout the organization. The last true redesign occurred over 25 years ago when… More
The Stark County Park District Board of Park Commissioners is considering revisions to the Park District's Rules and Regulations. The Board is seeking public comments on the proposed revisions. Provided… More
Hike your way through the changing colors of Stark Parks as you check off your 2023 Stark Exploring passport. The annual Stark Exploring challenge runs from September 1st to December… More
Beginning in March 2023, Stark Parks crews will begin preparing areas at Tam O'Shanter Park for parking lot and driveway updates including removing and relocating trees and vegetation. Construction will… More
Think there's not much to see on the trail? Think again and look around! Enhance your park experience by learning how to identify trees no matter the season. The IdentiTree… More
Make the most of the shortest day of the year and ring in the winter season with a Winter Hike-a-Thon! On December 21, 2023, choose Stark Parks for your… More
Calling all Junior Rangers! Come see what it is like to be a Ranger for a Day on Sept.30, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Exploration Gateway at… More
Geocaching is a great way to explore Stark Parks year-round! Find the hidden caches at different park locations and collect 12 out of 15 code words to win a unique… More