Stark Parks to Gauge Opinions on Trail That Connects Kent Stark to North Canton YMCA

Stark Parks wants to hear from you this year when planning a trail that connects Kent State University's Stark Campus to the North Canton YMCA.

The organization received a $710,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation, said Bob Fonte, director of Stark Parks. The organization also receives a 20 percent local match for a total project estimate of $887,500.

Stark Parks has planned a preliminary route from the bridge to Whipple Avenue, and that's pre-approved, but the organization still needs the route from Whipple and Dressler Road to the YMCA approved. 

Stark Parks plans to hire a design consultant this year to help with that project.

“There will be specific public meetings just for this trail when we hire that consultant," Fonte said.

(Learn the ins and outs of the Hoover Trail on Stark Parks' website.)

Pathway Caring for Children turned into flood plain

Stark Parks has more up its sleeve this year.

The organization received a grant under a flood plan through the Emergency Management Agency to buy the former Pathway Caring for Children building at 6370 Wise Ave., North Canton. 

“We’re tearing the building down and we’ll remove most of the pavement and restore it to a flood plain," Fonte said. 

The building has flooded multiple times resulting in it qualifying for removal from the flood plain under repetitive loss guidelines. Pathway moved to 4895 Dressler Road NW, Canton, in the summer of 2011.

"The reasons for removal (of the building) are to reduce future flood liability since it is covered by flood insurance and it was determined to be less expensive to remove the building rather than pay to repair it each time it floods," Fonte said.

"By restoring the flood plain, more storage is provided for future flood waters reducing the future flooding down stream. This project by itself will not solve North Canton’s flooding problems, but it is a step in the right direction."

Stark Parks also has planned public meetings in the coming weeks to plan for the future of the park system. Check the Stark Parks website for meeting info.