The Vinton County Park District, established in 2021, is an independent political subdivision authorized under Chapter 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). The district is dedicated to conserving Vinton County’s natural resources and preserving sites of local historic value. Park District Headquarters is located at 600 S. Market St. in McArthur. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. For questions or concerns, call 740-596-7013 or email director@vintoncountyparks.org. Follow us on Facebook.
Meetings
The Board of Park Commissioners typically meet the third Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. at Park District Headquarters, 600 S. Market St., McArthur, OH 45651. Notice of any deviations from that schedule will be posted here. Meetings are open to the public. Note that beginning in March 2024 monthly meetings will be held at 10 a.m. at Park District HQ. The April 18th meeting has been cancelled. A volunteer work day at Treebeard’s Retreat is scheduled for April 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Minutes and Resolutions
This page serves as an archive of the resolutions and meeting minutes of the Vinton County Park District, as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners.
Rules and Regulations
Pursuant to ORC 1545.09, the Vinton County Park District has adopted Rules and Regulations necessary for the preservation and protection of good order within and adjacent to park lands under its jurisdiction and control. Under ORC 1545.99, the Vinton County Park District has the power to punish offenders of this code with fines up to $150 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense.
View the park district’s Rules and Regulations
Apply for an Access Permit or Special Use Permit
Park Properties
The Moonville Rail Trail is operated by the Vinton County Park District in collaboration with the nonprofit Moonville Rail Trail Association and consists of approximately 10 miles of flat, linear trail for hikers, equestrians, and muscle-powered transportation. The trail’s namesake, Moonville Tunnel, is on the United States National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places and has a reputation as a paranormal hotspot. The trail leads through the timber-lined King Hollow Tunnel in Athens County. Trailheads are located at Zaleski, Mineral, Hope Schoolhouse, Moonville Tunnel, and King Hollow Tunnel. The trail and its tunnels are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but it is important to remember that the surrounding Zaleski State Forest is closed after dark. Visit www.moonvillerailtrail.com for more information.
The 158-acre McArthur Brick Co. Historic Preserve features a young forest and wetland environment with plentiful wildlife. Scattered throughout the property are remnants of the McArthur Brick Company, once one of the county’s largest employers. The property was surface-mined for clay to produce bricks, but nature has slowly been reclaiming the ground. Park District Headquarters is located at the front of the property, at 600 S. Market St. (St. Rt. 93), McArthur. The preserve is currently awaiting remediation of abandoned mine land features and closed to the public, but is expected to open in 2024.
The 87-acre Treebeard’s Retreat property features the 3.6-acre Lankamer Lake for swimming and fishing, two cabins, and four campsites. Several meditation domes are built on the property using reclaimed materials and bricks salvaged from the McArthur Brick Company property. The preserve is expected to open in spring 2024. No-cost permits are required to visit the property during the day. The preserve is located at 35037 Lake Rd., Hamden.
The 71-acre Shea-Williams Nature Preserve was once owned by former Brown Township Trustee and County Commissioner Michael Shea, whose family had owned the property since the 1800s. The conservation area features rock outcroppings and caves, wetland areas with rare flora and fauna, in addition to a historic slate-roofed barn. The preserve is located at 71845 Shea Rd., McArthur.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Vinton County Park District is to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural and historic resources of Vinton County, while providing quality outdoor recreational and educational opportunities for residents and tourists alike.
Vision
Vinton County has a wealth of natural, cultural, and historic resources that make it a truly wonderful place to live. Part of the Hocking Hills Region, its landscape features rolling hills, rock outcrops, and marshes, littered with historic remnants of its industrial past. Its railways, iron furnaces, and brick plants are historically significant in terms of local and national economic growth. Its fertile, densely forested land is desirable for a range of outdoor recreation activities, from hunting and fishing to offroading.
Subdivision of land parcels is occurring at an increasing rate, often sold to nonresident property owners. The Vinton County Park District seeks to play a leadership role in the conservation of natural areas and historic sites, as well as the provision of quality outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities for Vinton County residents and tourists. The park district will take a proactive approach to land preservation by working with Vinton County residents, organizations, and governments to plan for the future quality of life.
The park district will: (1) work to ensure an adequate financial base to support land acquisition, park maintenance, capital improvements, and all other park operations; (2) develop an active strategy to promote awareness of the park district, its attractions and activities; and (3) place great emphasis on resident education for land stewardship and the conservation of natural resources. The park district is committed to the preservation of Vinton County’s natural and historic heritage for the benefit of future generations.
Core Values
Vinton County Park District employees and volunteers are expected to share these values:
LEADERSHIP: We will actively take the lead to conserve and protect our county’s natural resources and historic sites, recognizing that these assets are unique and valuable, with untapped potential. We will learn to see these resources as visitors see them.
SUSTAINABILITY: We support efforts to improve the environment, locally and beyond. We recognize that restoring and reclaiming blighted and damaged land increases economic value. In addition to natural resources, the park district takes seriously its stewardship of financial resources.
PRESERVATION: We support efforts to preserve our local historic sites, culture, and heritage. We also recognize that residents enjoy the rural nature of where they live and seek to acquire land in a way that counters urbanization while supporting tourism and economic growth.
FREEDOM: We see the world getting smaller, with fewer places to enjoy specialized outdoor recreation activities. We support efforts to design multi-use trails and parks to fill gaps that others have left, including offroad vehicle use, drone operation, metal detecting, and more.
COLLABORATION: We recognize the importance of working together to accomplish great things. We value our partnerships with local organizations, public partners, villages, and townships. Equally important are relationships among staff.
INTEGRITY: We uphold the highest standards and ethical principles, demonstrating honesty in all of our actions. Having integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
COMMUNICATION: We communicate proactively with visitors, residents, volunteers, and with one another. Constructive feedback and ideas are encouraged.
TRANSPARENCY: We hold ourselves accountable to the public and to each other. Information is shared not because it is mandated, but because it is the right thing to do.
Board of Park Commissioners and Staff
The park district is governed by a three-member Board of Park Commissioners appointed by the Probate Judge of Vinton County. Candidates ideally have a background in natural resources conservation, tourism, or economic development. Persons wishing to serve on the board may submit applications listing their qualifications and relevant experience to the Probate Judge to be considered for future vacancies. These persons serve without compensation.
The 2024 board consists of:
- Terri Fetherolf, President (term expiring 2025)
- Brian Blair, Vice President (term expiring 2024)
- Patrick Quackenbush (term expiring 2026)
Caleb Appleman has been appointed as the park district’s Acting Director.
Aspirations
The park district sees opportunity for Vinton County as a trail destination, with total public park acreage and lodging facilities eventually surpassing those of neighboring counties. The district seeks to eventually include offroad vehicles in their trail systems, a user group underserved by other agencies. The district will also attempt to serve other recreational activities that are typically heavily regulated or prohibited altogether, such as metal detecting, drone operation, and nighttime activities. These expressions of recreational freedom will help portray Vinton County as “Ohio’s Last Frontier” and give the district a competitive advantage over other recreation areas.
The park district will establish the Vinton County Community Conservation Corps (CCC) to integrate residents into taking ownership of their natural and historic resources. Separate divisions will be created to provide youth, people with community service or work requirements, and convicted felons temporary job opportunities that teach life and job skills. The CCC, working with park district staff, will be directly responsible for building and maintaining park district infrastructure, including trails, recreation areas, retaining walls, foot bridges, and cabins.
The park district will work to arrange agreements with townships and the county to make offroad-friendly trail systems. Unused railroad corridors will be acquired to provide trail connectors, linking McArthur to neighboring villages.
The district will work with Ohio Department of Natural Resources on a plan to reintroduce elk into the state, which will attract nonresident hunters while restoring a native species.
The district will seek to acquire and preserve more properties with unique scenic beauty and local historic significance. The initial goal is two park properties in every township.
The park district will encourage economic development in Vinton County by acquiring properties in areas with growth potential, issuing commercial activity permits, and leasing space and facilities to private enterprises that may otherwise not have been able to start.