News & Events

News and events for the Tuscarawas County Park Department (TuscParks).

• Schedule of Events
• Summer Children’s Program
• Homeschool Wednesday
• Trail Closures

Schedule of Events for 2023

The following is a list of our Schedule of Events for 2023. Check this page or our Facebook page for updates. Events are subject to change.

February

March

• 3/18 – Dog Day of Spring, 1-3pm at the Canal Lands Park trailhead
• 3/25 – Eagle Eye Tour, 8am-Noon.  Registration is a must and spots are limited.  Register by clicking here.

April

• 4/12 – Informational Tick Workshop: 6-9pm at New Philadelphia High School.
  • Flyer:   Exploring Ticks and Tick-Borne Illness in Tuscarawas County Flyer 2023
  • Click here for the Press Release
  • Online Registration:  http://go.osu.edu/tuscticks2023
• 4/22 – Volunteer Day: Spruce Up the Trails, 9am-12pm at Canal Lands Park and the Norma Johnson Center

May

• 5/12 – Birding with Kramer, 8-10am at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• 5/19 – Birding with Kramer, 8-10am at Trenton Heritage Park
• 5/26 – Birding with Kramer, 8-10am at the Canal Lands Park trailhead
• 5/27 – Norma Johnson Center 5K 9:30am (Yellow Barn), Race check in and day of registrations 8:00-9:15am at Yellowbrick on 39*
  • Online NJC 5k Registration available.
  • Mail In Flyer 5K Norma Johnson Center

June

• 6/17 – Family Fishing Day, 9AM registration day of event, Fishing 9:30-11:30am at the Norma Johnson Center (Preservation Pond)
• 6/21 – Summer Walkabout, 8:30-10:30am at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive).  Register by clicking here.
• 6/26 – Hanging Around in Nature, 9AM-Noon at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn).  Register by clicking here.

July

• 7/6 through 7/16 – Butterfly Exhibit, M-Sat. 10am-4pm, Sun. 12-4pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• 7/19 – Summer Walkabout, 8:30-10:30am at McDonell Trailhead (717-791 OH-212, Bolivar, OH 44612).  Register by clicking here.
• 7/24 – Hanging Around in Nature, 9am-Noon at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn). Register by clicking here.

August

• 8/16 – Summer Walk About, 8:30-10:30am at the Canal Lands Park trailhead.  Register by clicking here.
• TBD – Interpretive History Hike, 1-3pm at the Canal Lands Park trailhead
• 8/26 – Summer Dog Days, 9-11am at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• 8/28 – Hanging Around in Nature, 9am-Noon at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn). Register by clicking here.

September

• 9/18 through 9/24 – Meet TuscParks at the Tuscarawas County Fair

October

• 10/7 – Fall Fest, 12-5pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• 10/15 – Canal Lands 5k Run & Walk, 1-3pm at Canal Lands Park

December

• 12/2 – Luminary Walk, 5-7pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn)

* Note: We do not operate or manage Yellowbrick on 39. It is managed and owned by Phil and Brenda Gebhardt.

2023 Summer Children’s Program

Interacting with Nature, Tuesdays from 10am to Noon

Click here to register for our Summer Children’s Interacting with Nature programming (Eventbrite link). There is no fee for the programs, but donations are accepted.

• June 6, Scavenger Hunt, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• June 13, Pond Dipping, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• June 20, Camouflage at Canal Lands Park
• June 27, Nature Art, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• July 11, Butterflies, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 18, Nancy Owens Raptors and Owls, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 25, Stream Study and Exploration, Canal Lands Park

Summer Crafting at the NJC, Thursdays from 10am to Noon

Click here to register for our Summer Children’s Crafting programming (Eventbrite link). There is no fee for the programs, but donations are accepted.

All Crafting programs take place at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn) unless stated.

• June 8, Clay and Ceramic Planters
• June 15, Paint Canvas or Wood Project
• June 22, Glass Cubes
• June 29, Tye Dye
• July 13, Butterfly Crafts, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 20, Tiles
• July 27, Concrete Stones

2023 Homeschool Wednesday

This program is held on the second Wednesday of the month from October through May from 9-11am. Registration is required and can be done by clicking here to access the Eventbrite link or emailing Marsha Freeland at parkedu@co.tuscarawas.oh.us

• January 11, Taste Buds, Tuscora Park Youth Center
• February 8, Winter Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• March 8, Migration is Upon Us, Canal Lands Park
• April 12, My Backyard Stream Study with Rural Action at Canal Lands Park
• May 10, Spring Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• October 11, Fall Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• November 9, TBA
• December 14, TBA

* Note: We do not operate or manage Tuscora Park. It is managed by RTY and the City of New Philadelphia.

Download the 2023 TuscParks Event Calendar now.

Trail Closures

The Tuscarawas County Park Department may temporarily close specific areas within their jurisdiction to all visitors upon a determination that such action is necessary for reasons of weather, resource protection or management, permitted special events, avoidance of conflict among visitor activities, law enforcement, or other situations involving public health, safety, or welfare. Maintenance crews may also temporarily close specific areas for construction, reconstruction, or maintenance purposes.

Whenever the Tuscarawas County Park Department temporarily closes access to property within its jurisdiction, the public shall be notified by one or more of the following methods:

• On the Park Department website or on our Facebook page
• Signs or physical barriers
• Mass communication in other media such as print, radio, or other electronic communication (newsletters, etc.)

Flooding

Due to close proximity to the Tuscarawas River, flooding is a concern along the Canal Lands Towpath Trail. If the Dover Dam water elevation levels are above 885 ft., access at the Canal Lands Park trailhead is likely flooded and the Towpath Trail south to SR-800 are underwater. Over 890 ft., the Towpath Trail is only dry and accessible ~1 mile past the Ft. Laurens trailhead, and flooded at the Canal Lands Park and SR-800.

The Army Corps of Engineers note that when the water levels are above 872 ft. at Dover Dam, kayakers should exit the Tuscarawas River at the Canal Lands Park boat launch ramp in Zoar.