Hiking Rewards Program Begins July 1

Stark Parks’ 10th annual Healthy Adventures program begins July 1 and continues through Oct. 31. The program rewards participants for hiking and participating in a variety of active park programs.  First-year walkers will get a hiking stick and FeLeap the frog charm;  repeat participants will get a “Zippy the Squirrel” charm.

 Healthy Adventures forms are available at Stark Parks’ facilities, trailheads, and online at www.StarkParks.com. It will also be included in the July-August Stark Parks’ newsletter mailed to homes in late June.

This year’s form has been simplified and is designed to be used in conjunction with the park district’s “Parks and Trails” brochure. Rather than defining specific trails to be walked, the district is letting participants choose any Stark Parks trails and distances they want, and just write the name of the trail, with the date with their initials on the form. 

       The program is FREE for Stark County residents, but costs $5 for non-residents

·         Participants turn in their forms after completing all requirements—no need to “pre-register.”

·         Participants have four months (July 1-Oct. 31) to complete activities.

·         In addition to hiking Stark Parks’ trails, participants also can get credit for attending active park district programs. Park programs are listed at www.StarkParks.com and on a variety of community on-line calendars.

·         Canoeing or kayaking for one hour at Sippo Lake in Perry Township or Walborn Reservoir near Alliance are options. Fees apply or you may use your own boat.

·         Participating as a walker or runner in the Friends of Stark Parks annual Canalway Classic 5K on Aug. 10 can also be counted toward the 8-activity goal. Registration for the 5K is underway at www.OhioChallengeSeries.com and the $23 registration fee includes a wicking shirt for registering before July 28.

An option to buy a hickory hiking stick for $25, thereby becoming an individual member of the Friends of Stark Parks, is available. Members who complete Healthy Adventures receive the annual charm.

Stark Parks has a wide variety of trails walkers may choose, varying in length from one-quarter mile (Cook’s Lagoon trail in Canton) to segments of the 25-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath in western Stark County. There also are trails at Walborn and Deer Creek Reservoirs in the Alliance area, as well as Stark Parks’ trails in North Canton, Plain Township, Canton, Magnolia, Massillon, Hartville and many townships. Walkers can choose their trail as well as how far they want to walk. The honor system prevails. Walkers may also participate in some of Stark Park’s Friday Fitness Walks, High Mileage Hikes, or Sensational Seniors’ Monday Mileage outings. All can be applied to your Healthy Adventure goal. Dogs on leashes are welcome to walk with their owners on the trails.