Explore Your Parks

 

 

Mission  History  Staff  

 

 

The mission the Seneca Parks is to preserve, protect, manage, and promote our natural resources; to educate and develop an appreciation of the natural, rural, historical, and cultural aspects of Seneca County.

Wherever you live in Seneca County, the park district has a nature preserve near you to visit and enjoy. The parks are filled with hundreds of species of native flora and fauna that define the unique nature of our particular homeland. Each preserve has unique features, including trails, wetlands, ponds, rivers and creeks, woods, open meadows and grasslands, crop lands, horseback riding trails, cabins and blacksmith shops, shelters, observation decks, picnic tables, playgrounds, and more.

View our Program Guide  Download Park Map

Preserving Seneca County’s Heritage

The Seneca County Park District would not exist without the generous donations of area individuals and families, the support of our community, and the commitment of staff and volunteers.

The Seneca County Park District was formed in 1996 with the authorization of the Seneca County Commissioners and the first park board was appointed by the Probate Judge Gerald Meyer in November 1996. The Park was volunteer-operated from 1996 through 2016, when the first 10-year operational levy was supported and passed by the community.

The Park acquired its first property, 256 acres named Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, through a gift from Dr. Garlo and his two daughters, Alma and Dolly, in 1997. Since then, six other nature preserves were acquired and developed, as well as four additional properties in cooperative management with state and community partners, for a total of 738 acres in 11 parks.

The Seneca County Park District Board of Park Commissioners is comprised of 5 community members, volunteering their time, with each term lasting 3 years. The Probate Judge may appoint members for up to 3 consecutive terms. 

The following is a list of Board Members since 1996. Thank you for your service!

Current
Jacob Price
Jakob Boehler
Janet Shutt
Lee Martin
Lori Hall

Past
William J. McAllister
Carl Miller
James S. Nordholt, Jr.
Roland Zimmerman
Roy S. Zinn
Jim E. Bailey
Linda Anderson
Thomas Bartlett
Russell Rife
Thomas Corner

Staff

 

Sarah Betts

Executive Director
sbetts@senecacountyparks.com

Sarajane Mangett

Park Technician
smangett@senecacountyparks.com

 

 

 

Grady Moon

Park Technician
gmoon@senecacountyparks.com

Linda Rose

Naturalist & Preschool Coordinator
lrose@senecacountyparks.com

Shelly Smola

Business Manager
info@senecacountyparks.com

 

Tammy Vargo

Naturalist & Preschool Assistant

Kim Wickman

Operations Manager
kwickman@senecacountyparks.com

Melanie Zender

Park Manager
mzender@senecacountyparks.com

program participants

6357

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

programs provided

391

PROGRAMS PROVIDED

preschool

15 

YEARS PROVIDING PRESCHOOL

Public Records Requests

To assist the public in making a records request, the Park District offers a Public Records Request Form for requestors to use if they so wish.

Please review our Public Records Policy here.
Please review our Records Retention Schedule here.

The designated records custodian is the Business Manager and can be contacted via email at: info@senecacountyparks.com or by phone at: 419-447-8091 ext 101.
Sunshine Law Training regarding Ohio Public Records and Open Meeting laws as required by ORC section 149.43 and 109.43 has been completed and certified by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

Financial Transparency

The Ohio Checkbook website serves as a resource for Ohioans to obtain both local and state financial information. The Ohio Checkbook enhances government transparency by providing real-time state financial and transactional data. Users can view online government spending, as well as how revenue is allocated. Financial information for the Seneca County Park District is available for review by visiting the Ohio Checkbook website and selecting Seneca County.

Financial and Audit Reports for the Seneca County Park District can be viewed on the Auditor of State's website.

RECENT REPORTS:
Report Type: Agreed Upon Procedures     Report Period: 01/01/2020 - 12/31/2021  view report
Report Type: Agreed Upon Procedures     Report Period: 01/01/2018 - 12/31/2019  view report
Report Type: Agreed Upon Procedures     Report Period: 01/01/2016 - 12/31/2017  view report 
Report Type: Basic Audit                                 Report Period: 01/01/2014 - 12/31/2015  view report

 

Park Office
3362 S. TR 151
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
Hours:
Mon & Tue:  8:30AM - 4:00 PM
Wed - Fri:     by appointment

Phone: (419) 447-8091

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