The headquarters of the Crawford Park District is located at Lowe-Volk Nature Center.
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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 parts of Ohio to observe other Park Districts. After a public hearing, the Crawford Park District was formed on November 16, 1994 by probate Judge Steven Eckstein. Members of the Steering Committee were:
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Mike Blaising
Richard Carpenter merson Eckstein Dawn Hedges Mentor Larsen John Mizick |
Mike Morton
Gary Ogle Steve Prochaska Jack Shuck Sonny Wechter |
Park Commissioners:
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Kyle Hartman
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Jan Maddy
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Dave Roland
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Advisory Board Members:
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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:
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Josh Dyer - Director
Patti Schiefer – Executive Secretary Patti Gervais - Receptionist Kyle Bailey - Land Manager Mike Fruth – Maintenance |
Lisa Bogard - Naturalist
Abby Ditomassi - Naturalist Warren Uxley - Naturalist Chelsea Gottfried - Naturalist Joy Etter-Link - Program Assistant |
CPD History
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.
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.
