News & Events

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

• Schedule of Events
• Summer Children’s Program
• Homeschool Wednesday
• 2023 Canal Lands 5K Race Flyer and Entry Form
• 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.

Dates

August

• 8/16 – Summer Walk About, 8:30-10:30am at the Canal Lands Park trailhead.  Register by clicking here.
• 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

• 9/6 – Fall Walkabout, Fort Laurens, 10AM-12PM start at Ft. Laurens picnic shelter.  Click here to register.
• 9/18 through 9/24 – Meet TuscParks staff at the Tuscarawas County Fair

October

• 10/2 – Fall Walkabout, Norma Johnson Center, 10AM-12PM, start at yellow pole barn.  Click here to register
• 10/7 – Fall Fest, 12-5pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive).  Click here to for more details.
• 10/11 – Homeschool Wednesday, start at Norma Johnson Center Conservation Drive kiosk, 9-11AM.  Click here to register.
• 10/15 – Canal Tavern 5k Run & Walk, 1-3pm at Canal Lands Park. Click here to download the flyer and entry form.

November

• 11/1 – Fall Walkabout, Canal Lands Park, 10AM-12PM, start at picnic shelter.  Click here to register.
• 11/8 – Homeschool Wednesday, start at Fort Laurens picnic shelter, 9-11AM.  Click here to register

December

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

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-1PM
• 3/28 – Eagle Tour, Open to public, 10Am-2PM

April

• 4/6- Eagle Tour, Open to public, 8AM- Noon
• 4/10- Homeschool Wednesday, Canal Lands Park, 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, 10AM-12PM
• 6/6 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 10AM-12PM
• 6/11 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 10AM-12PM
• 6/13 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 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, 10AM-12PM
• 6/20 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 10AM-12PM
• 6/25 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 10AM-12PM
• 6/27 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 10AM-12PM

July

• 7/9 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 10AM-12PM
• 7/11 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 10AM-12PM
• 7/11-7/21 – Butterfly Exhibit, Norma Johnson Center, M-F 10AM-4PM, Sunday 12PM-4AM
• 7/16 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 10AM-12PM
• 7/18 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 10AM-12PM
• 7/23 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 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, 10AM-12PM
• 7/30 – Children’s Program Interacting with Nature, 10AM-12PM

August

• 8/1 – Children’s Program Crafting at the NJC, 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

* 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, TBA
• June 11, Pond Dipping, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• June 18, TBA
• June 25, TBA
• July 9, Butterflies, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 16, TBA
• July 23, TBA
• July 30, TBA

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, TBA
• June 13, TBA
• June 20, TBA
• June 27, Tye Dye
• July 11, Butterfly Crafts, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive under Picnic Shelter)
• July 18, TBA
• July 25, TBA
• August 1, Concrete Stones

2023-24 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

• October 11, Fall Hike, Norma Johnson Center (Conservation Drive)
• November 8, Hike, Fort Laurens, (Picnic Shelter)
• 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)

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.