Crawford Park District
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Crawford Park District
2401 SR 598
Crestline, OH  44827
419-683-9000
Picture
Commissioners of the Crawford Park District. Left to right: Peggy DeGray, Richard Carpenter, Jan Maddy.

About the CPD

Mission Statement
The mission of the Crawford Park District is to create, preserve, protect and manage a system of parks, nature preserves and outdoor recreational facilities held in public ownership by the citizens of Crawford County for the leisure use and enjoyment of this and future generations, with a focus on local cultural, historical and natural resources.

Park Formation Steering Committee
Before the Crawford Park District was formed, a steering committee researched ideas and traveled to other areas of the state to observe other Park Districts.  Members of the Steering Committee were:

Mike Blaising           Richard Carpenter      Emerson Eckstein    Dawn Hedges
Mentor Larsen         John Mizick                 Mike Morton             Gary Ogle
Steve Prochaska    
Jack Shuck                 Sonny Wechter

After a public hearing, the Crawford Park District was formed on November 16, 1994 by probate Judge Steven Eckstein.

Park Commissioners:
Kyle Hartman                   Jan Maddy                  Dave Roland

Advisory Board Members:
Chris Berry             Richard Carpenter     Jarrod Crabaugh     Gary Cole              Peggy DeGray        Matt Echelberry        Cindy Edwards         Joy Etter-Link        Dan Everly              Susan Fogle             Marline Garverick     Cody Knapp          Dave Koepke          Barb Koschnick        Martha Kozik            Kyle Laipply           Leslie Lawson         John Mizick              Lindy Rachel            Jane Schnelker      Gene Toy                Bruce Truka             Joan Wolfe                Candace Yocum                     

Current Employees:
Josh Dyer - Director                              Patti Schiefer – Executive Secretary
Lisa Bogard - Naturalist                         Mandi Fruth
– Receptionist
Abby Ditomassi -  Naturalist                  Patti Gervais - Receptionist

Warren Uxley - Naturalist                      Mike Fruth – Unger Maintenance
Joy Etter-Link - Program Assistant        
     

The Crawford Park District was created on November 16, 1994 by Probate Judge Steven Eckstein following a public hearing.  This followed two years of research and meetings by a volunteer committee organized by Richard Carpenter to form a park district.  The District is governed by three volunteer Park Commissioners appointed by the Probate Judge.  In addition, the Commissioners have appointed volunteers to serve on an Advisory Board to help guide the District. Primary goals of the Crawford Park District are to preserve nature for its enjoyment now and in the future and to educate citizens about the wonders of the natural world. 

In 1998, the non-profit group, The Friends of the Crawford Park District, was organized to help fund projects and to support the mission of the Park District.  Due to many grantor requirements, it was the Friends of the Crawford Park District who oversaw the funding and construction of the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center.

Current sites in the Crawford Park District include Unger Park, Lowe-Volk Park, Sears Woods State Nature Preserve, Heckert Nature Preserve, Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve, and Sandusky Wildlife Area.  In addition, the Colonel Crawford Bikeway, which begins at Lowe-Volk Park, was set up to guide bikers over township and county roads.

The Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center opened on December 21, 2002. The Nature Center offers nature and history programs for families and environmental education programs to area schools and other community organizations. Our Nature Center is open year-round and features interpretive nature and local history exhibits, live animals, bird feeders, and butterfly garden observation room.  There is also an active bee hive, children’s learning center, nature gift shop, and 2 six-foot diameter stained glass windows, all constructed in an environmentally friendly manner. 

A quarterly newsletter is sent to over 1,000 supporters.  Newsletters contain informational nature articles, news about Park District concerns, and most importantly, the newsletter details all scheduled public programs.