Fall Fest October 5, 2024

Posted on September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

TuscParks will be hosting the annual Fall Fest at the Norma Johnson Center on October 5, 2024 from 12 to 5pm. A $5 donation will be accepted from each car to enter the festival. Those attending can paint a pumpkin, make a scarecrow (bring some clothes), face painting, petting zoo, balloon twister, live music, children craft and snack tables along the trails, Blathmac Illusions, Ohio animal pelt table and a scavenger hunt. Fundraisers will include popcorn and cider table and monarch release for Mexico.

This event will take place on the trails and picnic shelter located off of Conservation Drive. Norma Johnson Center 3645 Conservation Drive Dover, OH 44622. Questions for the event can be answered from 8-4 Monday through Friday. 330.365.3278

Summer Dog Days at the Norma Johnson Center

Posted on August 13, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Dog Days of summer at the NJC

August 24, 2024 9-11AM

Bring your family and your dogs to the Norma Johnson Center for the Dog Days of Summer event. The hike will start on Conservation Drive near the Conservation Loop kiosk. TuscParks staff will offer a meet and greet table before sending you out on the trails. All dogs must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after when needed. This event is free. Questions: Call the office at 330.365.3279.

Address: 3645 Conservation Drive Dover, OH 44622

Detour on SR 39

Posted on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Travel to Butterfly Exhibit may be detoured

The construction on SR 39 will affect visitors traveling to the butterfly exhibit from July 11-21, 2024. If you are traveling west on SR 39 from the Dover/New Philadelphia Area you will need to make a detour. If traveling east from Sugarcreek you will not be affected by the construction to go to the Norma Johnson Center.

An official detour has been published from the state. The link to this site is: District 11 Detour on 39

Option 2: Exiting at Exit 81 (New Philadelphia) off of I-77 and turning left onto (39, West High, CR 21 aka Stonecreek Rd NW) go passed the Eagle Truck Stop – continue on to 21 past Job and Family Services – turn right on Crooked Run (at small car lot: Foreign Hills Auto Sales)- follow Crooked Run that till the Y on the road – take a right onto Schilling Hill – follow up the hill to the stop sign – then turn right onto SR 39 towards Dover and follow GPS to Norma Johnson Center 3645 Conservation Drive Dover OH 44622.

Option 3: Schneider’s Crossing Exit off of I-77 head west away from Dover. Continue to Winfield. Go straight at stop sign. This turns into Broadrun Dairy. Follow to the Y and go left. At stop sign at Breitenbach turn left onto Old SR 39 and continue to 3645 Conservation Drive Dover, OH 44622.

Butterfly Exhibit July 11-21, 2024

Posted on June 4, 2024July 9, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Butterfly Exhibit

TuscParks will be hosting a butterfly exhibit open to the public for free starting July 11 and going through July 21. Through the sponsorship of the O’Donnell Family Charitable Foundation the exhibit will be open for ten days this year. The exhibit will be held under the Picnic Shelter located on Conservation Drive off of Old SR 39 from 10 to 4 Monday through Saturday and 12 to 4 on Sunday.

Fran LeMaster’s traveling butterfly exhibit “All A Flutter” has been a huge hit at Norma Johnson Center for the last 12 years. This free exhibit allows visitors to step inside the enclosure and view several native Ohio butterflies up close and personal. Chrysalis will also be on display and hatchings will occur throughout the week inside the exhibit. Free crafts and face painting will be available. For a fee, visitors can purchase certain crafts and monarch chrysalis throughout the week while supplies last. Donations will be accepted at the door. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

July 11-21

M-Sat 10AM-4PM

Sunday 12-4PM

Exhibit is Free

Donations are Appreciated

Summer Children’s Program Sign Ups Ongoing

Posted on June 4, 2024June 4, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Summer Children’s Programs

Children Programs are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 to August 1st. Programs are free but require registration.

Tuscarawas County Park Department Website

Interacting with nature

Tuesdays from 10AM to Noon. A variety of topics will be offered. Check out the descriptions on the Eventbrite link listed below.

Interacting with Nature Registration

Crafting at the NJC

Thursday’s from 10AM – Noon. Programs are free but require registration. Adults help the child create their work of art. Check out the descriptions on the Eventbrite link listed below.

Crafting at the NJC Registration

TuscParks

education/Event Manager

Marsha freeland TRails open Dawn to Dusk

Trails Open Dawn to dusk everyday

fishing Allowed – Catch and Release Only

With over seven miles of trails at the Norma Johnson Center one can find a variety of things to do. The three trail heads offer three loops just over a mile each. The Preservation Loop, Conservation Loop and Johnson fishing ponds are available for outdoor enthusiasts on a Catch and Release basis.

“The Norma Johnson Center is a unique outdoor experience that will keep you coming back for more!

Website: Norma Johnson Center

Upcoming Summer Events

NJC Facebook

TuscParks Facebook

Family Fishing Day – June 15

Posted on June 3, 2024June 3, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Family Fishing day

TuscParks will be hosting a “Family Fishing Day” at the Norma Johnson Center on Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 9:30am to 11:00am. Registration will take place from 9 to 9:30. This event is sponsored by the Kimble Family and ODNR Step Outside grant. The event will take place at the Norma Johnson Center’s Preservation Pond located behind the yellow pole barn located on SR 39. This event is a free event open to the public but families must register during the specified time listed above. If you do not own a fishing pole and still would like to participate call the office to make arrangements. Prizes will be awarded throughout the day along with special awards being announced at 11:15am. Join us for a morning of fun. There is no charge for the event but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The event will be cancelled if it rains. The Norma Johnson Center (4033 SR 39, NW Dover OH 44663) is located on State Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek. Questions about the event can be answered by calling the TuscParks office, at 330.365.3278, Monday through Friday 8-4:30 or visit the TuscParks Facebook page for more information.

There are five ponds located at the Norma Johnson Center. Throughout the year fishing is allowed on a catch and release basis from dawn to dusk, however, it is catch and release only.

The Family Fishing Day has proven to be a wonderful day for families and friends to gather along the banks of the Preservation Pond at the Norma Johnson Center. With the help of volunteers, those who don’t know much about fishing can still come, learn and have fun.

TuscParks Follow the Flock 5K Race Results

Posted on May 30, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

Tuscparks Follow the Flock 5K

One of the best trail runs around

Follow the Flock 5K Race Results

‘Follow the Flock’ 5K Trail Run/Walk – May 27, 2024

Posted on April 3, 2024April 3, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

‘Follow the Flock’ 5K Trail Run

Memorial Day

RACE TIME WILL BE 9:30AM

RACE DAY REGISTRATION & CHECK IN BEGINS AT 8:30AM

Click here to Sign Up today

Join other community members on Memorial Day as they tackle the hills of the Norma Johnson Center in the ‘Follow the Flock” 5K Trail Run/Walk. This event is our second annual race and leaves participants with a sense of accomplishment when they cross the finish line. Working with Yellowbrick on 39 our racers will check-in for the race near Norma’s family home. Racers will head over to the NJC yellow pole barn to embark on the race. The Finish line will bring them back to the Yellowbrick where they can enjoy the Yellowbrick Market.

2024 SPRUCE UP THE TRAILS AT THE NORMA JOHNSON CENTER

Posted on March 18, 2024March 18, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

2024 Spruce up the trails

at the

Norma Johnson Center

April 27, 2024 9am to Noon

TuscParks will be hosting “Spruce Up the Trails” on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Norma Johnson Center (Yellow Barn – 4033 SR 39, Dover OH 44622). We will be doing general spring cleaning along the trails by collecting litter, cleaning up fallen branches, etc. TuscParks will provide basic hand tools, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. Gloves and a litter grabber would be helpful to bring if you have them.

Groups and organizations interested in helping year-round should contact TuscParks about our Adopt-a-Trail program.

This event will be held rain-or-shine, but will be cancelled in the event of severe weather. All volunteers must sign a volunteer waiver form. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please check with the TuscParks or the Norma Johnson Center Facebook page for updates or call TuscParks at 330-365-3279 for more information.

“Volunteers make a huge difference,” says Marsha Freeland. “The Norma Johnson Center always need sprucing up after the winter months and it is so helpful to have community members help with this effort.”

Winter Hike February 10, 2024

Posted on February 6, 2024February 6, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

“It is always amazing to explore the trails during the winter months,” says Marsha Freeland. “The forest is still very active at this time of year.”

Join us!

Dover−TuscParks will be hosting a Winter Hike at the Norma Johnson Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. This free event has been funded by the United Way of Tuscarawas County. Parking and marked trails will start at the Conservation Drive parking lot near the red barn (off Old State Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek). There will be three marked trails with different levels of difficulty, with hot chocolate and soup available to warm you up after your hike. Pets are permitted, but must be on a leash.

After hiking guests are invited to hot chocolate and soup by Gingers Home Bakery under the picnic shelter.

All participants are encouraged to dress for the weather. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please check with the TuscParks or the Norma Johnson Center Facebook page for updates or call TuscParks at 330-365-3279 for more information.

Winter Hike