Rules and Permits

Contact the Tuscarawas County Park Department at 330-365-3278 or via email at parkdept@co.tuscarawas.oh.us with questions. Please note that the rules for the Canal Lands Park, the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve, and Trenton Heritage Park are similar, they are not the same across the board. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the rules set forth for each site you would like to visit.

• Canal Lands Park Rules
• Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Rules
• Trenton Heritage Park Rules
• Special Use Permit (all properties)

Canal Park E-Bike Policy

As of 2021-07-19, a majority of the Board of Tuscarawas County Commissioners do not wish to permit electric bikes (of any class) at Canal Lands Park. Email parkdept@co.tuscarawas.oh.us and include “EBIKE” in the subject if you wish to provide public comment.

The National Park Service, Cleveland Metroparks, Summit Metroparks, and Stark Parks permit class 1 and class 2 electric bikes where traditional bicycles are allowed in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Please review those organization’s individual policies for further information.

Canal Park Rules
Pursuant to Revised Code Section 755.13, the Board of Commissioners of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, has established the following rules regarding the use of the Ohio and Erie Canal lands owned by Tuscarawas County and located in Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. These rules do not supersede any other federal, Ohio or local law or regulation related to the use of the Canal Lands.

Hours of Usage: No person shall be present on the lands included in the Canal Lands from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, without first obtaining writing authorization from the Board of County Commissioners or an officer designated by the Board to issue such approvals, under terms established by the Board. This provision shall not prevent persons owning lands located between the easterly boundary of the Canal Lands and the Tuscarawas County River from crossing the Canal Lands and to enter or leave their lands.

Adjacent Property: Persons using the Canal Lands shall not enter onto lands owned by adjacent property owners without the consent of such adjacent property owners.

Hunting; Use of Firearms, Weapons and Explosives: No person shall engage in hunting of wildlife, nor shall any person engage in trapping, snaring or other means of capturing wildlife, on the Canal Park Lands. This provision shall not prohibit fishing in the Tuscarawas County River from the Canal Park Lands by persons holding valid fishing licenses issued by the State of Ohio.

No person shall use or possess while on the Canal Park Lands any firearm, pellet or similar gun using pressurized air or gas for propelling projectiles, explosive devices, fireworks, bow and arrow or other item whose primary purpose is as a weapon. No person shall discharge a weapon so as to propel a projectile onto or across the Canal Park Lands. This provision shall not apply to law enforcement officers, game wardens or any other person specifically authorized by law or the Board of Commissioners to carry weapons while performing such person’s duties while on lands owned by the County.

Alcoholic Beverages; Drugs: No person shall have in his or her possession beer or intoxicating liquor or any non-prescribed controlled substances while on the Canal Park Lands.

Vehicles: Motor vehicles shall not be permitted on the Canal Park Lands, except as follows:

1. Vehicles parked in designated parking areas;
2. Emergency vehicles while providing emergency services;
3. Use of public roadways within the Canal Park Lands;
4. Maintenance and construction vehicles while performing construction or maintenance on the Canal Park Lands;
5. Vehicles owned by owners of lands between the Canal Park Lands and the Tuscarawas River, and persons authorized by such owners, to gain access to and use of their lands along the river, so long as such crossings are made in the most direct manner at points designated by the County for crossing. Neither the towpath nor the canal bed shall be used as a route for access to adjacent lands owned by private landowners.

No motor vehicles shall be parked overnight on Canal Park Lands.

“Motor vehicle” means any vehicles, including manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, that is propelled or drawn by power other than muscle power, including but not limited to motorcycles and motor bikes, “all-terrain vehicles, automobiles, busses, trucks, trailers and machinery used in agricultural production, construction or drilling.

Animals: No person who is the owner of or person in control of cattle, sheep, goats or other grazing animals shall permit such animals to graze on any portion of the Canal Park Lands. No person who is the owner or person in control of dogs, horses or other pets shall permit such animals to run at large on the Canal Park Lands. Horseback riders shall use parallel horse trails where provided.

Littering and Dumping: No person shall dispose, discard or deposit any waste, refuse, litter, automobile parts, hazardous substances, petroleum or solvents or any other kind of trash on any lands or in any waters within the Canal Park Lands, except for deposit into designated receptacles.

Vandalism; Unauthorized Construction; Removal of Property. No person shall knowingly or recklessly cause physical harm to any structures, constructions, pathways, trees or shrubbery, signs or natural features located on the Canal Park Lands.

No person without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board, shall cause to be made any excavations or construction on the Canal Park Lands. No person shall post any signs on the Canal Park Lands without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

No person shall remove any wild animals, trees, or other vegetation, archeological formations, structures or parts of structures, stone, minerals or any items of historical significance which may be located on the Canal Park Lands without written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Fires. Fires shall be confined to areas designated and shall be contained in grills, stoves or other containers. Fires shall not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished prior to the users’ departure.

Commercial Activities. No person shall engage in business or commercial activity on the Canal Park Lands without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Penalties. Whoever violates a rule established by the Board of Commissioners for use of the Canal Park Lands shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. If the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of these Rules they shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. All fines collected for any violation of these Rules shall be paid into the General Fund of the County Treasury.

Norma Johnson Center Rules

Pursuant to Revised Code Section 755.13, the Board of Commissioners of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, has established the following rules regarding the use of the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park owned by Tuscarawas County and located in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. These rules do not supersede any other federal, Ohio or local law or regulation related to the use of the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park.

Hours of Usage: No person shall be present on the lands included in the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, without first obtaining writing authorization from the Board of County Commissioners or an officer designated by the Board to issue such approvals, under terms established by the Board.

Adjacent Property: Persons using the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park shall not enter onto lands owned by adjacent property owners without the consent of such adjacent property owners.

Hunting; Use of Firearms, Weapons and Explosives: No person shall engage in hunting of wildlife, nor shall any person engage in trapping, snaring or other means of capturing wildlife, on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park. Fishing in ponds located within the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve is generally prohibited. Exceptions shall be limited to special events and management or research projects authorized by the Board of Commissioners.

No person shall use or possess while on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park any firearm, pellet or similar gun using pressurized air or gas for propelling projectiles, explosive devices, fireworks, bow and arrow or other item whose primary use is as a weapon. No person shall discharge a weapon so as to propel a projectile onto or across the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park. This provision shall not apply to law enforcement officers, game wardens or any other person specifically authorized by law or the Board of Commissioners to carry weapons while performing such person’s duties while on lands owned by the County.

Alcoholic Beverages; Drugs: No person shall have in his or her possession beer or intoxicating liquor or any non-prescribed controlled substances while on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park.

Vehicles: Motor vehicles shall not be permitted on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park, except as follows:

1. Vehicles parked in designated parking areas;
2. Emergency vehicles while providing emergency services;
3. Maintenance and construction vehicles while performing construction or maintenance on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park;

No motor vehicles shall be parked overnight on Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park.

“Motor vehicle” means any vehicle, including manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, that is propelled or drawn by power other than muscle power, including but not limited to motorcycles and motor bikes, “all-terrain vehicles”, automobiles, busses, trucks, trailers and machinery used in agricultural production, construction or drilling.

Animals: No person who is the owner of or person in control of cattle, sheep, goats or other grazing animals shall permit such animals to graze on any portion of the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park. No domesticated animals are permitted on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park except for guide dogs for the seeing impaired.

Littering and Dumping: No person shall dispose, discard or deposit any waste, refuse, litter, automobile parts, hazardous substances, petroleum or solvents or any other kind of trash on any lands or in any waters within the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park, except for deposit into designated receptacles.

Vandalism; Unauthorized Construction; Removal of Property. No person shall knowingly or recklessly cause physical harm to any structures, constructions, pathways, trees or shrubbery, signs or natural features located on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park.

No person, without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board, shall cause to be made any excavations or construction on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park. No person shall post any signs on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

No person shall remove any wild animals, trees or other vegetation, archeological formations, structures or parts of structures, stone, minerals or any items of historical significance which may be located on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners of officer designated by the Board.

No person shall tamper with gas or electrical lines and fixtures located on the property.

Fires. No fire of any type is permitted.

Building: The building is not open to the public except for special events authorized by the Board of Commissioners.

Commercial Activities. No person shall engage in business or commercial activity on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Penalties. Whoever violates a rule established by the Board of Commissioners for use of the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. If the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of these Rules they shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. All fines collected for any violation of these Rules shall be paid into the General Fund of the County Treasury.

Legal Notice

The following is a Summary of said Rules:

1. Park hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
2. Persons using the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park shall not trespass on lands of adjoining property owners.
3. There shall be no hunting or use or carrying of firearms, weapons or explosives on the Norma Johnson Nature Preserve Park.
4. There shall be no alcohol or other drug use in the Park.
5. Littering, dumping or other waste disposal is prohibited.
6. Vandalism to Park property, removal of structures, living things, minerals or archeological remains is prohibited.
7. There shall be no unauthorized construction or excavation on Park Lands.
8. No fires of any type shall be permitted.
9. No commercial activity shall be conducted on Park Lands.
10. Penalties for violation of rules include fines of up to $100.00 first offense and up to $500.00 on subsequent offenses.

Trenton Heritage Park Lands

Mission: The intended mission of the Trenton Heritage Park Lands is to conserve the natural and historic features of this area and to promote education, preservation, and conservation. Usage is to be limited to groups that promote this mission.

Permits will be approved at the discretion of the Tuscarawas County Commissioners and will be granted to groups that will be utilizing the area in accordance to the above mission.

All persons must abide by the following Rules of the Trenton Heritage Park Lands:

Park Rules

Pursuant to Revised Code Section 755.13, the Board of County Commissioners of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, has established the following rules regarding the use of the lands owned by the Board of Commissioners in Warwick Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and being the lands currently known as the Trenton Heritage Park Lands. These rules do not supersede any other federal, Ohio or local law or regulation related to the use of these park lands.

Usage: No person shall be present on the lands included in the Trenton Heritage Park Lands without first obtaining written authorization from the Board of County Commissioners or an officer designated by the Board to issue such approvals, under terms established by the Board. This provision shall not prevent persons owning lands located within the Trenton Heritage Park Lands from crossing the Trenton Heritage Park Lands to enter or leave their lands.

Adjacent Property: Persons using the Trenton Heritage Park Lands shall not enter onto lands owned by adjacent property owners without the consent of such adjacent property owners.

Hunting; Use of Firearms, Weapons and Explosives: No person shall engage in hunting of wildlife, nor shall any person engage in trapping, snaring or other means of capturing wildlife, on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

No person shall use or possess while on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands any firearm, pellet or similar gun using pressurized air or gas for propelling projectiles, explosive devices, fireworks, bow and arrow or other item whose primary use is as a weapon. No person shall discharge a weapon so as to propel a projectile onto or across the Trenton Heritage Park Lands. This provision shall not apply to law enforcement officers, game wardens or any other person specifically authorized by law or the Board of Commissioners to carry weapons while performing such person’s duty while on lands owned by the County.

Alcoholic Beverage; Drugs: No person shall have in his or her possession beer or intoxicating liquor or any non-prescribed controlled substances while on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

Vehicles: Motor vehicles shall not be permitted on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands, except as follows:

1. Vehicles parked in designated parking areas;
2. Emergency vehicles while providing emergency services;
3. Use of public roadways within the Trenton Heritage Park Lands;
4. Maintenance and construction vehicles while performing construction or maintenance on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

No motor vehicle shall be parked overnight on Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

“Motor vehicle” means any vehicle, including manufactured homes and recreational vehicles, that is propelled or drawn by power other than muscle power, including but not limited to motorcycles and motor bikes, “all-terrain vehicles”, automobiles, busses, trucks, trailer and machinery used in agricultural production, construction or drilling.

Animals: No person who is the owner of or person in control of cattle, sheep, goats, or other grazing animals shall permit such animals to graze on any portion of the Trenton Heritage Park Lands. No person who is the owner or person in control of dogs, horses or other pets shall permit such animals to run at large on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

Littering and Dumping: No person shall dispose, discard or deposit any waste, refuse, litter, automobile parts, hazardous substances, petroleum or solvents or any other kind of trash on any lands or in any waters within the Trenton Heritage Park Lands, except for deposit into designated receptacles.

Vandalism; Unauthorized Construction; Removal of Property.
No person shall knowingly or recklessly cause physical harm to any structures, constructions, pathways, trees or shrubbery, signs or natural features located on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands.

No person, without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designate by the Board, shall cause to be made any excavations or constructions on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands. No person shall post any signs on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

No person shall remove any wild animals, trees or other vegetation, archeological formations, structures or parts of structures, stone, minerals or any items of historical significance which may be located on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Fires. No fires shall be permitted on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands unless by written permission by the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Commercial Activities. No person shall engage in business or commercial activity on the Trenton Heritage Park Lands without the written consent of the Board of Commissioners or officer designated by the Board.

Penalties. Whoever violates a rule established by the Board of Commissioners for use of the Trenton Heritage Park Lands shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars. If the offender has previously been convicted of a violation of these Rules they shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. All fines collected for any violation of these Rules shall be paid into the General Fund of the County Treasury.

The Tuscarawas County Commissioners reserve the right to approve or deny any request for use.

BY ORDER OF THE TUSCARAWAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS