Art Explorers – TuscParks and Katie Lane

Posted on February 14, 2025February 14, 2025 by normajohnsoncenter

Art Explorers

We are adding some art classes to our event schedule with the help of Katie Lane. Katie holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from MVNU and has dedicated her career to creative education. She and her husband founded and ran an art center in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where she taught all ages before having three energetic kids. For the past two years, she has hosted nature-based summer art camps at her home, providing immersive, hands-on creative experiences for children. She is excited to bring her love for art and nature to homeschoolers at TuscParks!

Check out her art class offerings – we hope you can join her for this new opportunity.

Norma Johnson Center Foundation Board Seeking Board Members

Posted on January 16, 2025January 16, 2025 by normajohnsoncenter

Board members Hannah Haga, Het Sabo and Jami Swartzwelder volunteering at the 2024 Winter Hike.

Norma Johnson center foundation

seeking board members

Are you interested in volunteering at the Norma Johnson Center? Are you willing to raise funds, volunteer at events and upcoming projects? The NJC Foundation board is seeking members to help make a difference.

Questions? Email info@normajohnsoncenter.com

Click on the links below for more information.

Board Member Duties

Board Member Application

Board Member Vacancy Press Release

2025 TuscParks Winter Hike February 8, 2025

Posted on January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 by normajohnsoncenter

“It is always amazing to explore the trails during the winter months. The last two years we have had balmy winter weather but that has not always been the case. We can’t wait to see what this year brings.” says Marsha Freeland. “If it snows, we invite you to bring your sled or make snowmen along the trails.”

2025 Winter hike at NJC

TuscParks will be hosting a Winter Hike at the Norma Johnson Center on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. Parking and marked hiking trails will start at the Conservation Drive parking lot near the red barn (off Old State Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek – 3645 Conservation Drive Dover, OH). 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.

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. This event is free of charge, but donations will be accepted.

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by normajohnsoncenter

January Homeschool wednesday

plans change

We are sorry to change the plans for this coming Wednesday January 8th’s Homeschool Wednesday class. Unfortunately, the location and topic of this months event had to change. Join us at the Norma Johnson Center by meeting in the parking lot on Conservation Drive at 9AM. Prepare and bring supplies to play in the snow, sled, make a snowman if snow is packable and other fun snow activities. Hot chocolate will be served at the end of the event. We hope everyone is having a great day after the winter snowfall.

2025 TuscParks Winter Hike

Posted on December 13, 2024December 17, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

“Winter Hiking is always a surprise. The weather in Ohio is always changing. Will we have a wintery mix or will it be a warm winter day? Join us and find out!”

Winter Hike 2.8.25

TuscParks will be hosting a Winter Hike at the Norma Johnson Center on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 10AM to Noon. This event is free to those in attendance. Potential partners for this event is 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).

Three marked trails with different levels of difficulty will be marked for first time users of our trail system or in case of inclement weather. Hot chocolate and soup will be available to hikers to warm up after the hike. Pets are permitted, but must be on a leash.

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 pages and/or websites for updates about the event. Inquiries during the week between 8-4PM can be made by calling the TuscParks office at 330.365.3279 for more information.

2024 Luminary at the Norma Johnson Center

Posted on October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 by normajohnsoncenter

December 7, 2024

Dover, OH –TuscParks will be hosting the “Luminary Trail Walk” at the Norma Johnson Center, located off of State Route 39 between Dover and Sugarcreek on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 5:00-7:00pm. The luminary trail walk will begin at the Preservation Loop Kiosk next to the yellow pole barn located at 4033 SR 39 Dover, OH 44622. This is a free event but donations are greatly appreciated.

The lit trail will be a quarter mile in length. Visitors can walk along the accessible trail through the forest and out to the Preservation Pond guided by luminaries. Paper lanterns will be strewn amongst the pine forest for the return walk to the parking area. Starting at 5:00pm, hot chocolate and cookies will be served to welcome guests before and after their walk. There is no charge for the event but donations will be accepted.

This event will be held weather permitting. Please check with either the Norma Johnson Center or the TuscParks Facebook page for updates. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Questions about the event can be directed to the TuscParks Department office at 330.365.3278 Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm.

Marsha Freeland, TuscParks Event Manager said, “This is a magical trail experience for the whole family. This is one of the few opportunities to experience the Center at night and take in the outdoors on a brisk wintery evening.”

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