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.
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.
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.
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.