Canton City Parks:

The City of Canton has 40 parks and 10 mini-parks available for public use. Some of the most prominent include:

• Stadium Park, spanning from 12^th to 25^th St. N.W., features 68 acres of nature and picnic areas, including a softball complex, playground, duck pond and a 1.5-mile rubberized walking track with exercise stations. The Canton Garden Center is also located within the park with an outside children’s garden. Click here for more info.

• Adjacent to Stadium Park and next to the William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is Monument Park, the site of the McKinley National Memorial. It includes picnic tables, grills and a large duck pond used for ice skating during the winter.

• Weis Park, on 25^th St. N.W. behind the North Branch Library, features shuffleboard, bocci ball, tennis and volleyball courts and a baseball field.

• West Park Skateboard Park, on 9^th and Shroyer Ave N.W., features many amenities for skateboarders, including a 4-foot quarterpipe and launch ramp.

• Westbrook Memorial Veterans’ Park, on 13^th St. N.W., is the site of a U.S. Veterans memorial and a piece of the U.S. battleship Maine.

Click here for more information, a full list of Canton City parks and park photos.

Plain Township Parks:

There are 102 acres under the Plain Township Parks and Recreation Department, with its goal being “to enhance people’s lives and the community they live in.” Some of them include:

• Alpine Park, located at 3059 Alpine St NW, has a ½ mile jogging track, basketball court, tennis court, playgrounds and picnic shelters which can be rented at no cost to residents of Plain Township.

• Diamond Community Park and Sports Complex, located at the corner of Diamond Street and Middlebranch Road, has 42 acres of soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, a bocce ball court, .9-mile jogging path and a picnic pavilion. A large 80 by 160-foot complex on the grounds offers indoor sports and a community room, which can be reserved for individuals, businesses and groups for a free of $50 a day.

In addition, the Plain Township Parks system offers local sports programs for community soccer, midget football, baseball and softball. Other summer programs include baton/ pom-pom, bowling, humane society event, fitness classes, movie club and tennis lessons. Click here for more information.

Hoover Park:

Owned and operated by Walsh University, this North Canton park exudes charm with its summer rentals, which include a cottage, kitchens, a western room, a pavilion and Hoover Hall. Perfect for family and group outings, all rentals include the use of playground equipment, baseball fields, a basketball court, a bocce court and a volleyball court. The pavilion is equipped with picnic tables, a large grill, electricity, a playground and roll-down sides in case of rain. Hoover Hall has a large stage with a dance floor, tables and seating, a kitchen and private restrooms and is perfect for banquets and weddings. Adjacent to the park is the Hoover Historical Center, the former summer home of Herbert W. Hoover, president of Hoover Company. For more information and a downloadable brochure, click here.

Stark Parks:

The mission of the Stark County Park District is “to acquire, preserve and develop natural areas accessible to all residents of Stark County for purposes of passive recreation, conservation, education and outdoor nature appreciation.” The district’s facilities include:

• Sippo Lake Park, a 321-acre park with 107 acres of water and 3 areas is located on Perry Drive. N.W. in Perry Township. East Sippo includes a marina, clubhouse, boat shelter and fishing and picnic facilities. The lake is stocked with catfish, bass, walleye, perch and pickerel. The north entrance features a brand new facility with two large community rooms, a learning lab and a science classroom. An exhibit hall and a gift shop are scheduled to open in 2008. The west entrance is the site of the wildlife rehabilitation center and park trails.

• Petros Lake Park, also on Perry Drive, features a 1.2-mile shore-side trail and a butterfly/wildflower trail. It also includes a fishing lake, picnic areas, volleyball court, ball fields and a walking/jogging track.

• Faircrest Park in Canton is an 18-acre wooded park with picnic shelters, a playground, volleyball courts and a nature path.

• Lock 4 Park on Erie Avenue in Canal Fulton is an historic landmark, featuring a canal lock and replica of a lock keeper’s cabin. The park has a mill raceway, picnic tables, grills and a handicap-accessible fishing dock. It is also an entry point to the Ohio & Erie Canalway for bikers, walkers and equestrians.

• Frank Esmont Park along the Nimishillen Creek features a loop trail, garden and picnic tables.

• Walborn and Deer Creek Reservoirs, off Price Street in Lexington and Marlboro townships, are 2,700 acres of water with outstanding fishing and boating, a new marina and boat launch and a handicap-accessible fishing pier. Boat rentals, bait and food sales and hiking are also available.

• Cook’s Lagoon, a small fishing pond and walking path, is located east of Market Ave and north of 12^th Street N.W. in Canton.

• David Fichtner Outdoor Education Center, 12833 Market Ave N. in Hartville, offers educational and recreational programs and includes a hiking trail, pond and wetlands. The Discovery Room displays reptiles, amphibians, mammals and Ohio fish.

• Magnolia Flouring Mill, in Magnolia off S.R. 183, was acquired by Stark Parks in 2005. The 5-story building, built in 1834, is an historic landmark and now operates as a feed mill. It has retained much of its original structure and antique machinery.

• Whitacre Greer Park, 4290 Irish Rd. N.W. in Magnolia, is a 2,000-acre park reserved for horseback riding only. Plans are underway for the park to develop biking and hiking facilities, but will maintain its equestrian emphasis. The park is closed during November and December.

For more information on the Stark County Park District, visit their Web site at http://www.starkparks.com.

Ohio & Erie Canalway:

Visitors can choose to travel by train, trolley, bike, bus or foot through the Canalway to discover museums, historic sites and outdoor recreational opportunities. The 100-mile Towpath trail is great for hiking, walking or bicycling, or you can choose to take in the scenery along 110 miles of scenic byway roads. The trail has dozens of trailheads linking cities and towns all over Ohio. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers adventures through the Canalway to the Village of Peninsula, Hale Farm & Village, National Inventor’s Hall of Fame, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron Zoo, Canton and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Tours are also available by bus, trolley and The Saint Helena III canal boat to Canalway attractions such as historic sights and museums.

Click here for more information. 

Quail Hollow State Park:

Quail Hollow is located in Hartville about half an hour from Canton and offers camping, trails, tours, fishing, picnicking, and nearby attractions. In the winter, cross-country skiing and ice skating are available. The park surrounds a beautiful 40-room manor and gardens and was originally the home of Harry Bartlett Stewart, CEO of the Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad in the early 1900s. Click here for more information on Quail Hollow. 

The Wilderness Center:

Located in Wilmot, OH, just a short distance from Canton, The Wilderness Center has 10 miles of trails and many learning opportunities. As a non-profit center, TWC hosts numerous programs like walks, starwatches, planetarium shows and other special events like a concert series. Most are free and open to the public. The Interpretive Building includes a fossil wall, interactive display room, trails and animal observation area.  Click here for more information. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, on the National Register of Historic Places, offers recreational activities, educational programs, railroad excursions, historic points of interest and conference facilities. Located on nearly 33,000 acres between Cleveland and Akron, CVNP can be accessed off I-77, I-271, The Ohio Turnpike (I-80) and State Route 8 by following park signs. The backbone of the park is the 22-mile Cuyahoga River, named “the crooked river” by American Indians. The steep valley walls, ravines and lush forest that merge the Appalachian Plateau and Central Lowlands give the park its beauty while also providing the perfect habitat for over 900 plant species and hundreds of animals. Visitors can choose to take a ranger-guided tour or explore the park on their own. Many events take place at the park, including concerts, art exhibits, workshops and shows. In addition, the park connects to the Ohio & Erie Canalway and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. For more information about the CVNP click here.

Clay’s Park Resort:

On more than 500 acres, visitors of Clay’s Park in Canal Fulton can choose from a number of activities such as camping, skating, swimming, water slides, volleyball, miniature golf, boating, biking/hiking trails and more. Within the park are an individual water park, skate park and RV park. Campers can rent cozy cabins and a restaurant on the grounds offers themed weekends, catering and an internet coffee café. Clay’s Park is great for family or company outings. A large amphitheater hosts concerts and special events during summer and fall, some of which are nationally recognized. Click here for more information.

Bear Creek Resort Ranch:

Just 7 miles south of Canton, Bear Creek offers camping, swimming, fishing, boating, miniature golf, ATV and bike trails, hayrides, horseback riding, day camps and winter tobogganing. Cabins and lodge rentals are available, and many events and themed weekends are planned each year. Click here for more information.  

Cleveland Metroparks:

Often referred to as the “Emerald Necklace,” Cleveland Metroparks consist of 16 reservations on more than 21,000 acres circling Cleveland. Each reservation offers its own recreation, education, events and distinct charm. The parks have many opportunities, including more than 60 miles of paved trails available for hiking, biking or skating. Seven golf courses are also owned and maintained by the parks. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers many opportunities and exhibits for all ages.

Links to other park districts:

Alliance

Jackson Township

Louisville

Massillon

North Canton