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 Emerson 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 Rowland
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Advisory Board Members:
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Matt Echelberry
Steve Reinhard Joy Etter-Link Dan Everly Marline Garverick Cody Knapp Robyn Sheets |
Barb Koschnick
Martha Kozik Lindy Rachel Jane Schnelker Gene Toy Phil Cichanowicz |
Current Employees:
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Lori Morey - Director
Patti Schiefer – Executive Secretary Lisa Bogard - Naturalist Donald Helfrich - Naturalist Mike Fruth - Land Manager |
Joy Etter-Link - Program Assistant
Patti Gervais - Receptionist |
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, Sandusky Wildlife Area, Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, Carpenter's Bottom Natural Area, and Kurtz-Etter 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 beehive, 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 1,600 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, Sandusky Wildlife Area, Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, Carpenter's Bottom Natural Area, and Kurtz-Etter 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 beehive, 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 1,600 supporters. Newsletters contain informational nature articles, news about Park District concerns, and most importantly, the newsletter details all scheduled public programs.
