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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.