Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Growth in Senior Programs and Youth Sports
Membership is at 522 for 2026, growing about 100 per month, and a 172-person survey confirms seniors want the current programs plus line dancing. Staff plan multiple simultaneous programs in different rooms this year.
Board Role and Meeting Format
All three committees are advisory with no budgets, and Twinsburg meets only six times a year. Twinsburg's year-long single-use plastic bag ban effort went nowhere because state law keeps bag bans out of cities' hands.
Library–Parks Partnership
The library and parks department keep building joint programming — silent book clubs in parks, senior tech help on Tuesdays, and shared events. Library budgets are shrinking, but the Friends and Foundation funds all programming, so residents can keep using it free of charge.
Maple Tree Contest
17 trees entered so far with entries open through September; members will pair up to measure drip lines starting mid-September.
Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree project
The commission will decorate a tree for Akron Children's Hospital (theme: Urban Woodlands) and is planning supplies for the Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree.
Fox Den golf shop merchandise budget
The Fox Den pro shop needed more buying power for TaylorMade golf merchandise to finish the season, with unsold stock returnable for credit next year.
Fox Den Golf Course fuel costs
More rounds played at Fox Den mean more fuel use — the committee approved up to $50,000 for gas and diesel from Port Petroleum.
Firearms rules in parks (Ordinance 2026-160)
Stow's park rules still banned taking guns into parks, but Ohio law (R.C. 9.68) preempts local gun rules — a legal risk that had been flagged since 2023. The fix keeps bans on unlawful discharge while respecting lawful carry.
City mascot selection
The Arts Commission narrowed mascot candidates to an owl, a fox, and a billy goat, which will now go to the city's other boards and commissions for the final vote. The mascot will be used at community events with swappable outfits and props representing different city groups.
Rare Disease Day event presence
A member is helping organize an Akron Children's Rare Disease Day event that may move to Cleveland and grow, possibly with an NFL player speaking. The commission may want a presence there.
Master Plan for Public Art (Resolution 2026-114)
The first draft of the arts master plan has gone to the steering committee, which is waiting on feedback before finalizing.
Little free art boxes maintenance
Residents keep mistaking the little free art boxes for book libraries. A new parks staffer now stocks them with craft kits regularly, and the commission wants a rebranding push so people know what they're for.
Heather Hills playground opening
A $130,000 playground replacement came in about $30,000 under budget, with swings, a spinner, a climber, and slides — plus plans for a shade sail and a fun curved pathway inspired by the popular 'Blizzard of Oz' theme.
Amphitheater operations funding
Parks and Rec will host seven pop-ups at the AMP construction site to let the public follow the planning and construction. The commission will staff a booth, starting April 12.
Recreation Assistant appointment
Brooke Walburn's appointment as Recreation Assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department was sent forward for council confirmation.
City Center fence replacement
A deteriorated fence along the City Center complex near Valley Forge gets replaced for up to $40,471.20, with work possibly starting August 10.
Inclusive children's event at community center
The commission is choosing a first event for residents with disabilities and seniors — sensory movies, bowling, crafts, and games were all pitched, with an 'inclusive night' at the Senior Center emerging as the favorite for May.
Community outreach and marketing strategy
Stow now has a Department of Community Outreach, written into the city code — but under the Mayor, not the Service Director, after Council Member John Baranek's amendment passed unanimously. Two members still voted no on final passage.
Angel Memorial deterioration at Silver Springs
The 'Say My Child's Name' group wants a park-like remembrance space — no burials — for families who have lost children, funded by donations and targeted for completion this summer. They asked council for approval and help finding sponsors.
Fourth of July parade participation
The commission will appear in Stow's July 4 parade on a float featuring a mini amp, fire pit, and music, with a lift available so all members can board. Members can walk alongside or ride.
Volunteer connections with Stow nursing homes
Statewide budget cuts eliminated day-program transportation for nursing home residents served by Summit DD, leaving many isolated. The commission is organizing volunteers from clubs, daycares, and neighborhoods to visit residents consistently.
Warm Up America blanket project
The annual Warm Up America program returns this year, with kits assembled after the June meeting and distributed through city hall, nursing homes, and schools. Lakeview crochet participants will be reminded to keep submissions at the required size.
Performing arts facility gap
The Stow Players and Stow Symphony Orchestra say the city lacks adequate rehearsal and performance space, limiting local performing arts. Members hope the amphitheater and future partnerships might help.
Community film project proposal
A commissioner pitched making a movie as a community, learning filmmaking together week by week. Copyright, staffing and venue questions are big hurdles, so the idea remains in the exploratory stage.
Mangini Ranch Trails Project Construction Package
Four resolutions would have awarded a $2.77 million construction contract to Consolidated Engineering, denied a bid protest from Dutch Contracting, and hired Kimley-Horn and Pinnacle for construction support — a major new trails investment. None advanced because the meeting was canceled.
Evergreen Park apartments game room for residents with autism
The family of an autistic resident at Evergreen Park apartments wants to create an accessible game/sensory room. The commission chair is connecting the family with Summit DD for design and support help.
Senior resource refrigerator magnet project
The commission picked one project to actually finish this year: a magnet listing trusted phone numbers for rides, Meals on Wheels, 211, and grocery bus services. Members must send suggestions by June 2, and legal will review it before publication.
Library services for seniors
The library launched bookmobile service at Silver Lake Towers and programs at Eden Vista and Regent, but cut mailed program guides due to state funding losses, making outreach harder. One-on-one tech help and scam awareness remain available.
Community literary anthology project
The commission's first-ever literary event will collect written submissions through a call for writers, without a public reading event in year one. A digital anthology may be produced depending on response — organizers expect anywhere from five to 500 participants.
Traffic signal box art phase six
More than 100 artists submitted artwork this year, and a selection committee meets to pick pieces for the limited number of boxes. Many more boxes will open up when signal boxes are replaced on routes 59, Graham Road, and Darrow Road.
Heritage House Museum rebuild
The fire-damaged Heritage House Museum will be fully rebuilt rather than rehabilitated, since most of the original structure can't be saved. The mayor says the rebuilt museum will look historic outside, be ADA accessible, and could be done within two to three months once started this year.
Retirement of Parks Director Linda Nahrstedt
The board honored Linda Nahrstedt at what appears to be her final meeting, thanking her for years of leadership shaping Stow's parks and recreation.
Campground 50th anniversary and record demand
The campground's new reservation software drew 605 reservations by early April, including 159 on opening day, and last year's occupancy ran around 79%. Staff will compare utilization to prior years for the next meeting.
Parks and building maintenance staffing
Two new full-time positions were approved — a Parks Operator II and a Building Maintenance Specialist — to keep up with new infrastructure and daily upkeep. Funding shifts from contracted services, so the budget impact mostly washes out.
AMP bike spur trail
A new bike path spur will connect the Hike and Bike path to The AMP. Conceptual drawings are done, and the new contract funds full construction documents so it can go out to bid.
AMP pop-up events move to new site
This year's park pop-ups are shifting to the AMP site — six Wednesday-evening events on the reclaimed grassy area, with a backdrop, sand play area, and blue construction fencing around the space.
Adopt-a-Spot City Hall planting
The commission will plant flowers in the six City Hall planters on Saturday, May 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. — plants are provided by the city, and anyone can pitch in.
Commission on Inclusion created; Environmental Commission expanded
Stow now has a formal Environmental Commission to advise the mayor and council and educate the community on environmental issues. It passed as an emergency 6-1, with Coffey wanting the normal three readings for more public input.
Fox Den Golf Course renovation of holes 7 and 8
The city is hiring GolfSense Inc. for $99,494 to redesign holes 7 and 8 at Fox Den, continuing a multi-year renovation plan after holes 5 and 6 were done. Work starts this spring but shouldn't interrupt play.
Fox Den Golf Course renovations
The city is hiring GolfSense Inc. to renovate Fox Den, which brought in over $2.5 million in revenue last year — the city wants to keep the course competitive.
Urban Forestry Commission appointments
The Urban Forestry Commission wants faster pruning cycles, GIS-based tree tracking, an updated Tree Management Plan, and possibly an opt-out street tree program. It also flagged invasive Callery/Bradford pears along Route 91 and Route 8 for gradual replacement with native trees.
Amphitheater project on track
The city amphitheater drew a well-attended pre-bid meeting, with groundbreaking expected in March and about nine months of construction — a major new community venue is coming.
2026 Park Capital Projects
Big park year ahead: a $200,000 playground surface replacement at the Community & Senior Center, a $130,000 Heather Hills playground replacement shaped by resident surveys, a $150,000 Oregon Trail shelter and restroom project, plus HVAC/roof work and amphitheater progress.
Parks and fleet capital spending
Council authorized a new shelter at Oregon Trail Park (~$150,000), playground bidding for Heather Hills Park (~$130,000), a golf course mower, a fire Explorer (~$30,000), and trucks for water, street, and engineering departments — all without competitive bids under emergency measures.
Women in Arts exhibit 2026
The call to artists for the sixth annual Women in Arts exhibit closes January 16 with zero submissions so far. Members decided to keep the deadline (it's tied to the park passport timeline) and push the call through community pages and Arts Now instead.
Inclusive community events for people with disabilities
The survey and member discussion point to a gap in inclusive programming — especially for adults with disabilities, who face a "resource cliff" after school-age programs end. The commission plans to propose an event (possibly a game night or sensory-friendly craft night) for May 2026 and pitch it to Parks and Rec.
The AMP bids come in under budget
Fourteen contractors bid on the amphitheater project, and the apparent low bids total about $4.55 million — under the architect's estimate and about $100K under the $6 million the city set aside from cell tower funds. Competition was strong, which kept prices down.