News & Events

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

• Schedule of Events
• Homeschool Wednesday
• Trail Closures

Schedule of Events for 2023-24

The following is a list of our Schedule of Events for 2023-24. Check this page or our Facebook page for updates. Events are subject to change.  Download our 2024 Calendar of Events here.

Schedule of Events for 2024

February

• 2/10 – Winter Hike, 10AM-12PM, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• 2/14 – Homeschool Wednesday, Norma Johnson Center, 9-11AM

March

• 3/13 – Homeschool Wednesday, TBA, 9-11AM
• 3/23 – Dog Days of Spring, Canal Lands Park, 1-3PM
• 3/27 – Homeschool Eagle Tour, TBA, 9AM-12PM

April

• 4/6- Eagle Tour, Open to public, 9AM- Noon
• 4/10- Homeschool Wednesday, Norma Johnson Center, 9-11AM
• 4/27 – Canal Lands Park and Norma Johnson Center clean up and invasive species control, 9AM-12PM

May

• 5/8- Homeschool Wednesday, Norma Johnson Center, 9-11AM
• 5/10 – Birding with Kramer, 8-10AM, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• 5/17 – Birding with Kramer, 8-10AM, Trenton Heritage Park (Gate)
• 5/24- Birding with Kramer, 8-10AM, Canal Lands Park (Picnic Shelter)
• 5/27 – 5K Follow the Flock, Norma Johnson Center, 9:30AM

June

• 6/4 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Pond Dipping 10AM-12PM
• 6/6 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Paint Project 10AM-12PM
• 6/11 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Shelter Building 10AM-12PM
• 6/13 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Yarn Jars 10AM-12PM
• 6/12 – Summer Walk About, 8:30-10:30am at the Norma Johnson Center (Preservation Kiosk – yellow barn).  Register by clicking
• 6/18 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Fishing 10AM-12PM
• 6/20 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Ceramics 10AM-12PM
• 6/25 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Habitats 10AM-12PM
• 6/27 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Tye Dye 10AM-12PM

July

• 7/9 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Birding 10AM-12PM
• 7/11 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Butterfly Craft 10AM-12PM
• 7/11-7/21 – Butterfly Exhibit, Norma Johnson Center, M-F 10AM-4PM, Sunday 12PM-4PM
• 7/16 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Butterflies 10AM-12PM
• 7/18 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Nature with Diamond Dots 10AM-12PM
• 7/23 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, Hammock Hang 10AM-12PM
• 7/24 – Summer Walk About, 8:30-10:30am at the Fort Laurens (picnic shelter near trailhead).  Register by clicking
• 7/25 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Concrete Stones 10AM-12PM
• 7/30 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, River Study 10AM-12PM

August

• 8/1 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, Gnomes 10AM-12PM
• 8/14 – Summer Walk About, 8:30-10:30am at the Canal Lands Park trailhead.  Register by clicking
• 8/24 – Summer Dog Days at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive), 9AM-11AM

September

• 9/4 – Fall Walkabout, Fort Laurens, 10AM-12PM start at Ft. Laurens picnic shelter.  Click here to register.
• 9/16 through 9/22 – Meet TuscParks staff at the Tuscarawas County Fair

October

• 10/5 – Fall Fest, 12-5pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive).
• 10/8 – Fall Walkabout, Norma Johnson Center, 10AM-12PM, start at yellow pole barn.  Click here to register
• 10/9 – Homeschool Wednesday, start at Norma Johnson Center Conservation Drive kiosk, 9-11AM.  Click here to register.
• 10/20 – Canal Tavern 5k Run & Walk, 1-3pm at Canal Lands Park.

November

• 11/4 – Fall Walkabout, Canal Lands Park, 10AM-12PM, start at picnic shelter.  Click here to register.
• 11/13 – Homeschool Wednesday, TBA, 9-11AM.  Click here to register
• 11/16 – Luminary Aqueduct, 4:30-8PM, McDonnell Trailhead

December

• 12/7 – 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.

2024 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 4, Pond Dipping, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• June 11, Shelter Building, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• June 18, Fishing, Norma Johnson Center (Preservation Pond, Yellow Pole Barn)
• June 25, Habitats at Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• July 9, Birding at Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• July 16, Butterflies, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 23, Hammock Hang, Norma Johnson Center (Preservation Kiosk, Yellow Pole Barn)
• July 30, River Study, Canal Lands Park, Meet at Picnic Shelter at CLP

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 6, Paint Project
• June 13, Create Your Own Yarn Jars
• June 20, Ceramics
• June 27, Tye Dye
• July 11, Butterfly Crafts, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 18, Nature with Diamond Dot Creations
• July 25, Concrete Stones
• August 1, Gnomes

2024 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

• February 14, Winter Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• March 13, TBA
• April 10, Hike, Canal Lands Park (Picnic Shelter)
• May 8, Spring Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• October 9, Fall Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• November 13, Hike, Fort Laurens (Picnic Shelter)
• December 11, Hike, Canal Lands Park (Picnic Shelter)

Download the 2023-24 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.

Towpath Trail Extension 1 – “Kimble Trail”