BOB FONTE FROM STARK PARKS WILL SPEAK THIS FRIDAY

Bob is a graduate of Lehigh University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career as a civil engineer; later becoming a small business owner, a professional consultant, and eventually the Stark County Administrator.  In 1994, he took the position as acting director of Stark Parks, transitioning to full-time Director and Projects Manager in 1995.  Bob has been active in the development of Stark County’s infrastructure with implementation of a comprehensive park plan that emphasizes pedestrian/bicyclist accessibility.  Throughout his time at Stark Parks, his professional roles have included being a lifetime member of the Stark Development Board, a charter board member of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association, a member of the board of directors for Ohio Parks & Recreation Association (currently acting  as the chair for the Advocate Committee), a board member for the Natural Resource Assistance Council, as well as a board member for the Stark County Area Transportation Study (currently serving on the Policy Committee).  Bob was also responsible for co-founding the Stark County Drainage Task Force and was a member of the master plan committee for the Canton Special Improvement District.  He is a member of all Stark County chambers, a North Canton Library board member, is active in the Canton Regional Society of Professional Engineers, and has served on Leadership Stark County’s board, as well as being a graduate of the 11^th class.

 

During Bob’s tenure, the park district revenue has increased from $750,000 annually to $7 million annually, including an average of $2 million annually from grants. Property has grown from 400 acres to 7,200+ acres; trail miles have increased from one mile to approximately 100 miles, including twenty-five 25 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.  Significant projects include a marina & boat launch developed at Walborn Reservoir; the opening of the 12-acre Fichtner Park in Hartville; the extension of the Hoover and Middle Branch trails in North Canton and Plain Township; the purchase of the Magnolia Flouring Mills; and most recently, the acquisition of the 350-acre Fry Family Park in East Sparta.  Educational programming has expanded, and community partnerships are growing - including the Stark County District Library’s shared opening of the 50,000- square-foot Exploration Gateway.  Bob has seen four successful levy campaigns in 1997, 2001, and 2007, and 2012 and continues to add checkmarks to Stark Parks’ master plan.