Crawford Park District

The Crawford Park District was created on November 16, 1994 by Probate Judge Steven Eckstein following a public hearing. This followed two years of research and meetings by a volunteer committee organized by Richard Carpenter to form a park district. The District is governed by three volunteer Park Commissioners appointed by the Probate Judge. In addition, the Commissioners have appointed volunteers to serve on an Advisory Board to help guide the District. Primary goals of the Crawford Park District are to preserve nature for its enjoyment now and in the future and to educate citizens about the wonders of the natural world.

In 1998, the non-profit group, The Friends of the Crawford Park District, was organized to help fund projects and to support the mission of the Park District. Due to many grantor requirements, it was the Friends of the Crawford Park District who oversaw the funding and construction of the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center.
Current sites in the Crawford Park District include Unger Park, Lowe-Volk Park, Sears Woods State Nature Preserve, Heckert Nature Preserve, Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve, and Sandusky Wildlife Area. In addition, the Colonel Crawford Bikeway, which begins at Lowe-Volk Park, was set up to guide bikers over township and county roads.

The Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center opened on December 21, 2002. The Nature Center offers nature and history programs for families and environmental education programs to area schools and other community organizations. Our Nature Center is open year-round and features interpretive nature and local history exhibits, live animals, bird feeders, and butterfly garden observation room. There is also an active bee hive, children’s learning center, nature gift shop, and a six-foot diameter stained glass windows, all constructed in an environmentally friendly manner.

A quarterly newsletter is sent to over 1,000 supporters. Newsletters contain informational nature articles, news about Park District concerns, and most importantly, the newsletter details all scheduled public programs.