Plain Township continues to look at opportunities to preserve lands and provide outdoor access to our community. Within recent years, Legacy Park (amphitheater), John Sabo Complex and the property at the corner of Marquardt and Applegrove were added to park land portfolio.
Al Leno – Alpine Park
The first park in the Plain Township Park system, Alpine Park is tucked away in a neighborhood along the Middlebranch Creek. Alpine Park had a name change after Al Leno, long-time Trustee, retired. Al was a champion in growing the number of parks within Plain Township.
Today this 18-acre park is host to a variety of outdoor activities. The community can reserve one of the picnic shelters for a family gathering through Plain Township website https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/plaintownship/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true. Also available, is an adaptive playground, skate park,pickleball court, basketball court bocce ball court, tennis court, and sand volleyball. there is also a .5-mile jogging track. Plenty of opportunities to be outdoors. One of the other features is the Community Garden with 4×4 and 4×8 plots. Here residents can rent a raised bed to grow plants. The diversity of this park has a lot of appeal for our community.
For more information on Al Leno Park go to: https://plaintownshipstarkoh.gov/business_detail_T8_R28.php
Diamond Community Park
This land was originally part of the Housel-Correll farm. The bank barn that still stands was part of that farm and dates to 1909. Originally the park was planned to be across the street from the present-day site which at that time was the Diamond Sports Complex. Later a land swap moved the park to the present-day site.
Today this 42-acre park is host to an indoor and outdoor sports complex. The community has access to a .9-mile jogging path, playground and picnic pavilion. Also available is a Community Room that can be rented out for gatherings. For information on how to rent facilities at this park see: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/plaintownship/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Athletic fields are available: sixteen soccer fields for various age groups, and five baseball fields. The indoor sports complex hosts indoor soccer programs. Soccer leagues are available year round.
For more information on Diamond Park go to: https://plaintownshipstarkoh.gov/business_detail_T8_R29.php.
Veterans – Schneider Park
Veterans Park was originally called Schneider Park after the street where the park is located. As the vision for what this park could be came into focus, the name was changed to Veterans Park. Veterans Hillside is a quiet and reflective place for people to come and honor those that not only served but gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Their life. Today, the original Keystone monument stands a top the hill as a sentinel surrounded by the flags of service. Over the years, other monuments were added: Gold Star, Blue Star, POW-MIA and Purple Heart Memorials.
This 62-acre park also offers other amenities for our community to use. There is a splash-pad for cooling off on a hot summer’s day. Next to the splash pad is an adaptive playground. A picnic shelter is available by reservation. Our 4-legged friends are not forgotten either, with a 4-acre dog park for them to get out and stretch their legs. For those looking to “fly” around the park, there is a Disc Golf course, offering a walk through the hills and valleys of the park. Recently, through grants another 20 acres was added referred to as Monarch Meadows. This is a protected wetlands area and home to a variety of endangered species. Finally, you can get your steps in along the Stark Park trail that loops through the park. For information on how to rent facilities at this park see: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/plaintownship/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
For more information on Veterans Park go to https://plaintownshipstarkoh.gov/business_detail_T8_R30.php.
For Stark Parks trail information see https://starkparks.com/parks_and_trails/index.php.
Stark Parks Trails
Stark Parks came into being in 1967 as the Stark Metropolitan Park District. In 1968, they took or operational and maintenance responsibilities for two parks. By the 1980s, the name changed to the Stark County Park District. At this point, land acquisition, educational programs and the first levy were started. Stark Parks also became involved with the opening of the Ohio and Erie Canal trails through Stark County. Today, Stark Parks continues to develop strategic partnerships to link trails and parks throughout Stark County. These trails provide outdoor access for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Within their park lands, there is a part to fit your needs.
Stark Park Trails provide opportunities to get outdoor and explore our community. The various trails take you through land that has a long history attached to it. As trails are added, more connections are made to explore other parts. For more information on Stark Park Trails see https://starkparks.com/ and use the Parks and Trails menu.
