The Stark County Park District operates 15 parks and over 8,300 acres of land, including trails and lakes. They serve an estimated 1.4 million people annually. The document provides guidance for volunteers on trailblazing and acting as ambassadors for the parks. It outlines proper conduct while on trails, such as following etiquette like yielding to other users and passing on the left. Volunteers are asked to greet visitors, answer questions, and report any issues. Safety is emphasized, including not intervening in emergencies and always contacting Rangers in the case of violations or emergencies. Volunteers are representing the parks and asked to be courteous and provide a good experience for visitors.

1. Stark County Park District History
Today Stark Parks offers:
• 125 miles of hiking/biking and multi-use trail system,
including 26.43 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath
System
• 15 Parks
• 8,300+ acres of land, including 2,800 acres of hunting land
• 1,200+ acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs
Estimated Park Usage:
• Based on various factors including, but not limited to, car
counts, programming, and special event statistics, Stark
Parks services 1.4 million people annually
• During current situation we’ve certainly seen an increase!

2. Familiarize yourself with the
park/trail before going out –
• Know where you are in the park or on the
trail
• Know how to describe your location not
only to visitors, but to Rangers in case of
an emergency
• Familiarize yourself with upcoming park
events and programming so that you may
encourage park visitors to attend, and
encourage them to become a volunteer!
• Use trailheads, mile markers and any
other prominent landscape features to
orient yourself while on the trail
Trailblazing 101: Getting Started

3. • Check for alerts and trail closures
on our website:
https://starkparks.com/park-trail-
alerts/
• Arrive at the trail with the proper
equipment. Helmets MUST be warn
while Trailblazing (bicycling or
equestrian)
• Sign in and out with the Ranger
(see page 42 of your manual)
• Register trail hours online using
Trailblazer log (covered later)

4. While you are on the trails you want park visitors to
know you are able to assist them. Please wear your
park volunteer attire while trailblazing. Look your
best!
• Always wear your park nametag
• Helmet must be warn while trailblazing
(cycling or equestrian)
• Appropriate clothing includes a park issued
t-shirt or other Stark Parks/Friends of Stark
Parks event shirts
• You may wear long shorts, jeans, capri
pants, or trousers/slacks
• Jackets/shirts should not have lettering or
visual references to inappropriate topics
• Wear appropriate footwear for the event
Uniforms/Clothing

5. • Call the Rangers to report in
• Serve as a goodwill ambassador for Stark
Parks; greet visitors, provide directions and
answer questions
• Remember as a volunteer, expect to see things
in a different light. Expect people you meet
while you’re on duty to be interested in what you
are doing. You are representing Stark Parks,
and while wearing your volunteer attire you are
part of the team. Staff and volunteers alike, our
job is to help park patrons enjoy the parks by
providing them with the best experience
possible!
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

6. • As a volunteer or staff member we all have an
unwritten job description: be an advocate for
Stark Parks. Some people understand the
importance of a smile and positive attitude and
some just may not realize how much of an
impact they may have
• Act professionally – be courteous and
friendly. Remain patient with visitors, regardless
of the tone of the question or comment
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

7. • You are the EYES, EARS, and FACE of Stark
Parks!
• What you do and say DOES matter! You are the
face of Stark Parks. You may be the first person
someone meets from Stark Parks and now you
have the responsibility of making a good first
impression. You never know who is paying
attention at any given time, so choose your words
and actions wisely
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

8. • We all want to make park users happy. If you are
approached by someone with a question and you
do not know the answer to – DO NOT fake it! Be
honest and say you don’t know that answer, but will
get the information to the right contact for follow up.
Offer them contact information to the park:
information@starkparks.com or 330-477-3552. If it
is help identifying a flower, plant or tree a photo is
very helpful!
• In the case of a complaint, listen with courtesy
and refer them to the same information as above
for further resolution
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

9. Do you have any app’s you use to help
identify plants, animals, etc.?

10. • TIPS from seasoned Trailblazers –
knowing these ahead of time will be
invaluable! The most frequently asked
questions are:
1. Where is water?
2. Where are restrooms?
3. What is the distance/mileage of this
trail?
4. What are the important points of
interest?
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

11. • Never attempt to enforce park rules, please leave
this to the Rangers. If you see a violation, please call
the rangers immediately. Report the incident including
location, description of the persons/vehicles involved
(we’ll talk about this more later)
• Respect private property
• Notify 911 for emergencies and Rangers for SERIOUS
hazards/safety issues
• Provide basic bicycle repair (optional training offered) if
you are able, fix a flat or replace a chain
• Have fun!
Trailblazing 101: While on Duty

12. • Call Rangers to report you are back
• Log your tour information, relay
maintenance concerns and visitor
comments and concerns using the
Trailblazer log (covered in more
depth later!)
Trailblazing 101: Upon Return

13. 1. Smile!
2. If you are wearing sunglasses, take them off at
least once when you make eye contact with the
visitor
3. It’s appropriate to say “I don’t know,” but not to the
same question twice 
4. If you don’t know the answer, know where to get it
5. Encourage visitors to enjoy themselves, and offer
more information on other activities or parks in
our system that they might enjoy
6. Send them away with a smile on your face and
theirs
Customer Service

14. • Pick up any small trash (candy, gum wrappers,
etc.) Please make note of any large areas of litter
or debris and report in the Trailblazer log. Many
Trailblazers carry a small grocery bag with them
• DO NOT pick up any syringes or any other bio-
hazards; or any items that could potentially be
evidence in a crime – report these items to the
Rangers as soon as possible (photos are helpful)
• Clear the trail of any small debris such as
branches which can easily be kicked off to the
side. Please do not overexert yourself!
• Keep track of the number of trail users you
encounter and record in the Trailblazer log
Things to do While Trailblazing

15. • As you all know, Stark Parks’ trails get
lots of use! You may expect walkers,
hikers, joggers and runners, bicycles,
families with strollers and tots on tricycles,
people in wheelchairs, and horses!
• Be courteous: all trail users should be
respectful of others regardless of speed,
skill level or mode of travel
• Be mindful of traffic on the trail: know if
there is oncoming traffic, or if someone is
approaching from behind – stay to the
right of the trail
Share the Trail

16. • You may have the opportunity to share proper etiquette with park visitors:
o Everyone yields to a horse!
o Bicycles yield to horses and people on foot
o Do not block the trail – move to the right when stopping. If possible, exit the
trail. Be cautious of others approaching from behind and make sure they
know you are pulling over
o Yield to the slower moving trail users
o Be predictable – travel in a consistent and predictable manner. Always look
behind you before changing positions on the trail

17. • When passing on the trail:
o Always pass on the left
o Look ahead an behind and be sure the lane is clear
o Give an audible signal before passing (“passing on the left” or ring a bell)
o Pay special attention when passing children and pets and those with ear buds in and/or
texting or using an electronic device. They may not be watching their surroundings.
Children and pets may move unexpectedly into your path
• Respect private property:
o Some trails enter onto land not owned by the Park
o Leave gates as you found them
o Observe trail use signs and no trespassing signs
o Stay on designated trails
o Do not disturb wildlife or livestock
• Trail Safety:
o The most dangerous place on the trail is at intersections
o Be aware of upcoming intersections and yield to ALL traffic
Share the Trail

18. • It is important to know the basic
park ordinances so that you are
able to recognize and report a
serious ordinance breach
• You may find all Stark Parks
ordinances on starkparks.com
under the Explore the Park tab
• Breach of Ordinance: Do not
intervene! Remove yourself from
the area and phone the Ranger.
Be sure to be able to give specifics
and description
Assuring Your Safety on the Trails

19. • Stark Parks’ Rangers are law enforcement officers
and are licensed to carry a gun and write citations
• All volunteers must follow the posted speed limits,
parking signs, and directional signs while in the
parks
• Volunteers may not remove county property from the
parks including wildlife (not fish) or plant materials
• Volunteers are not to possess weapons, firearms, or
explosives while on park property and volunteering
• Being a Stark Parks volunteer does not place you
above the law. Please follow the instructions
provided by Stark Parks rangers
Assuring Your Safety on the Trails

20. Jurisdiction:
• As Stark Parks continues to grow the question comes up, “whose
jurisdiction is this” and “who do I report to?”
• If you are on a Stark Parks trail or in Stark Parks you will always,
always, always report areas of concern to the local 911 system and
they will dispatch our Rangers
• So what happens if you observe something happening and you are
not on our trail or in our parks? You may call 911/EMS if indicated.
Please let the volunteer coordinator know in the additional
comments of the online trail log and we will take care of notifying
the other park system so they have the up to date records
• If not on our trails or in Stark Parks and you observe someone
seriously breaking the law, you may call 911 to request immediate
law enforcement assistance.
• Our Rangers can relay a message to the various municipalities if
the incident needs reporting and does not require immediate
assistance. (examples – sign graffiti, broken picnic tables,
damaged fencing, etc. - photos help!)
Assuring Your Safety on the Trails

21. The Stark County Park District Rangers have assembled a list of information rules
and regulations that all visitors to the park must be aware of.
• All pets must be leashed while on park property, and owners must dispose of pet
waste properly
• Camping is not permitted (except in designated areas [Bridgeport Quarry (walk in
only) and Group campsite at Quail Hollow Park (reservations required)]
• Fires are not permitted except in park grills or personally owned grills and only for
cooking purposes
• Alcohol is not permitted on park property
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not permitted in any area
• All state fishing regulations apply to the bodies of water
• Hunting is permitted only in designated areas within and all state hunting regulations
apply
• The speed limit on all trails, roadways and parking lots is 15 mph
• Swimming is not permitted in any body of water
Basic Park Ordinances

22. • Is this an immediate safety
concern? For immediate
attention/safety notify the ranger on
duty
• Can this wait until Monday-Friday
workday hours? For non-
emergencies fill out the comment
section of the Trailblazer Log
Questions to Ask to Determine
Who, How and When to Report

23. Emergencies or things that could become
emergencies:
• Accidents
• Lost child (see page 12 in your
manual for details!)
• Vehicle break-ins
• Vandalism in progress
• Menacing behavior
• Any actions that seem threatening
• Threatening dogs/animals
Emergency – Dial 911

24. Something is not quite right, but no one is
getting hurt
• Dogs off leash (non-threatening)
• Drug/alcohol use that is non-
threatening
• Evidence of water pollution/dumping
• Someone locked out of a vehicle
• Evidence of a crime
• Restrooms out of supplies
• Tree down blocking the trail
Non-Emergency –
Dial 330.353.2377

25. Items that do not require immediate attention,
but we do want to know about them
• Start at the trailhead kiosk (if applicable) –
make a visual inspection of the kiosk for any
damage. Also note if there are any spider
webs, bugs, nests. Are the postings faded or
falling? Are there trail maps?
• Large piles or bags of garbage, or any
suspicious looking trash. We want to know if
someone is using our parks to dump their
trash
Things to Report in the Online
Trailblazer Log

26. Items that do not require immediate
attention, but we do want to know about
them
• Fallen Trees/large branches over but not
blocking the trail. Estimate the size of
the tree (in inches in diameter) and
describe its location on the trail
(approximate mile-marker, etc. our park
crews know the areas well and will likely
understand if you give as much
information as possible) – emailing
photos to the volunteer coordinator is
helpful!
Things to Report in the Online
Trailblazer Log

27. Items that do not require immediate attention, but we do want to know
about them (continued)
• Dead/broken branches hanging over the trail that could cause
injury, when dislodged to trail users beneath. Emailing photos to
the volunteer coordinator is helpful!
• Broken or missing signs, bollards broken, trail markers, benches,
boards on bridges. Never attempt to make repairs, please report
the problem.
• Look for wildcat/rogue trails and report them. (exception: trails
leading to nearby neighborhoods)
• Trail conditions – you may be the first to know about a problem on
the trail. (Examples: high limbs that could cause a problem,
culverts, washout, flooding, drainage issues, changes in trail
conditions, etc.)
Things to Report in the Online
Trailblazer Log

28. Lost Child
Gather facts immediately;
• Description of the child (age, height, weight, gender, race, clothes the
child was last wearing, any distinguishing marks, etc.)
• Description of possible abductor or last individual seen with the minor
• Establish a way to contact the parent or person reporting the missing
person. If they have a cell phone, you can provide them with the
ranger number to contact if they locate the child. Be sure to get their
cell phone number as a way to contact them if we find the missing
person. We want to avoid having the person search on their own with
no way to contact them in case they locate the person on their own
and leave without a way to call off the rest of the search team.
• Alert personnel in immediate vicinity of a missing child and provide
descriptions/information gathered
• Call 911 and follow the dispatcher instructions – tell them your location
• Alert the on-duty ranger at 330.353.2377

29. First Aid and CPR
• Due to COVID-19 risks, we have suspended the
requirement for CPR/First Aid certification for our
Trailblazers
• From a Distance (6 feet) assess the individual
for severity of injury or illness
• Notify EMS (call 911) and the Ranger of serious
injury or illness. Leave phone on for directions
from EMS
• If the visitor is taken for treatment by EMS, notify
the Ranger if they have not already arrived on
the scene
• If possible, have victims name and other
pertinent information to provide the Ranger

30. • Log tour information on Trailblazer Log
at starkparks.com, click Get Involved,
Volunteer Program and scroll to the
bottom click Access the Trailblazer Trail
Session Log.
• Name
• Date
• Time
• Area
• Visitor Contacts
• First-aid given
• Visitor Assistance Information
• Additional Information
Logging Hours

31. • Your cell phone is to be used with
signing onto the trail and when signing
off the trail, and to alert the Ranger to a
problem or emergency situation
• Please leave your phone on in case
the Ranger needs to contact you
• Reminder: You are using your
personal cell phone for Trailblazer
duties and you are donating minutes
used and will not be reimbursed
• Program key phone numbers into
your cell phone
Trailblazer Cell Phone Use

32. Program key phone numbers into your cell phone
• On Duty Park Rangers: 330.353.2377
• Administrative Offices: 330.477.3552
• Exploration Gateway: 330.409.8096
• Volunteer Coordinator: 330.409.8993
• Wildlife Conservation Center: 330.477.0448

33. • Trailblazers are encouraged to be as active as possible!
• We appreciate your time and understand that sometimes
things beyond your control happen
• If you are volunteering for a special event, and need
to cancel, please let the volunteer coordinator know
via email or phone as soon as possible
• If you require a leave of absence from the volunteer
program, please make an appointment with the
volunteer coordinator to discuss
• If you need to resign from the volunteer program,
please make an appointment with the volunteer
coordinator. We will close out your volunteer file,
conduct a volunteer exit survey, and you will be
expected to return any park property at this time
Volunteer Commitment