Preservation Parks

What Preservation Parks does

Preservation Parks of Delaware County is a public park district operating under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1545, a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. Founded in 1974 as the Delaware County Metropolitan Park District and renamed in 1995, the organization manages 2,000+ acres across 11 parks plus multi-use trail segments (including Ohio to Erie Trail connections) in Delaware County, one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties. The park district serves over 500,000 annual visitors with free public access to natural areas including prairies, wetlands, old-growth forests, and streams, alongside historical attractions such as Gallant Farm (a Depression-era farm representation) and the Bicentennial Barn.

The park district's offerings span accessible trails (Braille Trail, Mindfulness Trail, FLEX Trails), educational programs (summer exhibits, school outreach to every public school district in Delaware County), natural resources management (prescribed fire, wetland restoration, invasive species control), volunteer programs (VIPs, AmeriCorps Conservation Stewards), and event programming (Summer Concert Series, Adventure Run, photography contests). Operations are supported by third-party platforms including RecDesk for program registration, OuterSpatial for trail engagement, and Volgistics for volunteer management. The Division of Park Police provides state-certified law enforcement across the system.

The organization's revenue model is structurally diversified and not market-dependent. Primary funding comes from voter-approved property tax levies (cumulative ~1.3 mills across four successful levy cycles: 1999, 2008, 2017, 2021), supplemented by federal/state grants, donations through the Preservation Parks Foundation (a 501(c)(3) established in 2018), facility rental fees, and commemorative tree/bench dedication programs. Most park access and general programs are free to the public. Governance rests with a three-member Board of Park Commissioners appointed by the Delaware County Probate Judge, with Mary Van Haaften serving as the third Executive Director since 2023.

Name

Preservation Parks

Legal name

Preservation Parks of Delaware County

Website

https://preservationparks.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Preservation Parks of Delaware County is a public park district managing 2,000+ acres across 11 parks, serving over 500,000 annual visitors with free outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation programs funded primarily by voter-approved property tax levies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Park District Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Historical Sites (71212), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Public park management
• Outdoor recreation services
• Environmental education programs
• Natural area conservation
• Community park facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Revenue: Primary funding source from property tax dollars approved by voters of Delaware County. Multiple levies have been passed including 0.4 mill renewal plus 0.2 mill additional (2008), 0.6 mill renewal plus 0.3 mill additional (2017), and 0.4 mill additional land & park development levy (2021).
2. Grants: Federal and state grants supplement tax revenue. The Park District has received Clean Ohio grants and other environmental/conservation funding.
3. Donations and Contributions: Contributions of land, materials, equipment, and time from donors and volunteers. The Preservation Parks Foundation (501(c)(3)) raises funds through individual donations, the Champions monthly giving program, planned giving, and gala fundraisers.
4. Facility Rental Fees: Shelter reservations and facility rentals provide revenue. Picnic shelters and reservable meeting spaces are available for rental.
5. Tree and Bench Dedications: Tree planting and park bench dedication programs where individuals can honor significant people and occasions for a fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Preservation Parks of Delaware County operates a public park district managing 11 parks and multi-use trails across more than 2,000 acres in Delaware County, Ohio. The organization delivers passive outdoor recreation (hiking, bicycling, kayaking, wildlife viewing), environmental and historical education programs, volunteer stewardship opportunities, and reservable facilities. Funding comes primarily from voter-approved property tax levies, supplemented by grants, donations through the affiliated Foundation, and facility rental fees.

Product overview

Preservation Parks of Delaware County, Ohio is a park district that operates a unified system of parks and nature programs rather than a traditional product platform. The core offering consists of 11 parks and multiple trail systems providing outdoor recreation and nature education. The portfolio includes specialized accessible trails (Braille Trail, Mindfulness Trail, FLEX Trails), historical/cultural experiences (Gallant Farm), and diverse educational programs (Summer Exhibits, School Outreach, Bird Club, Book Club). Supporting services include volunteer management, AmeriCorps Conservation Stewards, Park Police, shelter reservations, natural resources management, and the Preservation Parks Foundation for fundraising. Programs are managed through the RecDesk platform for registration and delivered through quarterly seasonal program guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preservation Parks System (11 Parks and Multi-Use Trails) The core offering consisting of 11 parks and multi-use trails across more than 2,000 acres in Delaware County, Ohio, providing natural areas for hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, fishing, paddling, and other passive outdoor recreation. Free public access funded by property tax levies.
• School and Community Outreach Educational Programs Educational programming for K-12 classrooms and community groups covering natural and cultural history topics, including night hikes, live animal programs, farm tours, and the Borrow Bins and Gear to Go free lending programs of educational materials and equipment. Primarily free for Delaware County schools, scouts, and community groups.
• Gallant Farm Historical Experience Historical living-farm attraction at Gallant Farm featuring a Depression-era farmhouse, granary, machine shed, and the reconstructed Bicentennial Barn, offering agricultural heritage programs and farm tours for the general public.
• Shelter and Facility Reservations Reservable picnic shelters, indoor meeting spaces, and facilities at multiple parks available for rental by individuals, families, and community groups through the RecDesk facility booking system.
• Tree and Bench Dedication Program Commemorative program allowing individuals to honor significant people or occasions by planting trees or installing benches in parks; fees apply for dedicated installations.
• Preservation Parks Foundation Donation Program 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization raising funds through individual donations, the Champions monthly giving program, planned giving, and gala fundraisers to support interactive displays, animal care, and special projects across Preservation Parks.
• Braille Trail Accessibility Experience A 0.4-mile fully accessible sensory trail at Hogback Ridge Park featuring tactile interpretive signs, a 3D tactile map, hard-packed crushed gravel path with rope guidance, and multi-sensory stations including Sounds of the Forest, Feel the Forest, and Spring Ephemerals. Designed for visitors with visual impairments in partnership with DCBDD.
• Mindfulness Trail A 1-mile mindful walk at Gallant Woods Park along the Pheasant Run Trail with designated stations providing different ways to practice mindfulness, created in partnership with local behavioral health and judicial partners.
• FLEX Trails (Free Local Exercise) Outdoor exercise stations along Char-Mar Ridge Preserve trails with interpretive signs explaining various bodyweight exercises visitors can perform with no equipment needed.
• Adventure Run A family-friendly primitive adventure trail run of just under 2 miles at Gallant Woods Park featuring mud pits, natural and man-made obstacles, and a sledding hill slip and slide.
• Summer Concert Series Free outdoor concerts held Thursday evenings during summer at Gallant Woods Park, sponsored by Consolidated Cooperative, featuring food trucks and community entertainment.
• Photography Contest Annual photography contest inviting photographers to capture landscapes, wildlife, and moments celebrating protected spaces in Delaware County's Preservation Parks.
• Curated Group Hikes Curated group hike programs at various parks with unique themes catering to diverse interests, led by knowledgeable staff, including the long-running Golden Marathon weekly hikes for older adults.
• Geocaching and Letterboxing Programs Geocaching and letterboxing programs allowing visitors to enjoy the outdoors through treasure hunting activities, with permits required for cache placement in parks. Includes the Summer Letterbox Adventure which has attracted over 12,000 participants since 2008.
• Deer Haven Park Aviary and Wildlife Education Partnership program with Ohio Nature Education at Deer Haven Park featuring injured birds of prey, ambassador animals, and wildlife education programs for visitors.
• Community Park and Trail Grant Program $100,000 annual grant program administered by the Preservation Parks Foundation that supports local community park and trail projects to enhance quality of life and connect residents with nature.
• Annual Summer Exhibit Program Annual interactive summer exhibit at Deer Haven and Shale Hollow Parks exploring annual educational themes such as 'Into the Ice Age,' 'Climate Connection,' 'World of Water,' 'Adventures in Flight,' and 'What Lies Below,' accompanied by year-round nature programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ annual visitors served
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Preservation Parks FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018501(c)(3) nonprofit established to raise funds and awareness to support Preservation Parks goals and objectives. Supports interactive displays, animal care, and special projects.
• Stream and Wetlands Foundation (S+W)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to restore approximately 80 acres of diverse wetlands as part of a mitigation bank agreement at Perfect Creek Park. S+W constructs wetland pools and plants native trees, shrubs, and seed mixes. After completion, S+W manages wetlands and controls invasive species for several years.
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail easement partnership at Eagle Ridge Park connecting 186 acres of Preservation Parks land to ODNR's 106-acre Seymour Woods Nature Preserve, enabling development of interconnected trail network.
• Camp LazarusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail easement through Camp Lazarus property as part of the Eagle Ridge Park trail network development, linking 6.4 miles of continuous trails.
• Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Braille Trail at Hogback Ridge Park, providing multi-sensory accessible experiences for visitors with visual impairments.
• Delaware County Probate and Juvenile CourtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting the Mindfulness Trail at Gallant Woods Park, promoting mental wellness through nature-based mindfulness experiences.
• Ohio Nature EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the aviary at Deer Haven Park, which opened in 2021, housing injured birds of prey and education ambassador animals.
• Conservation Collaborative of Central OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps service program connecting volunteers with conservation organizations across Central Ohio. Preservation Parks hosts three AmeriCorps Conservation Stewards who serve alongside the Natural Resources team.
• Franklin Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministrative partner for the AmeriCorps Conservation Stewards program. Coordinates placement of AmeriCorps volunteers with conservation organizations.
• Ohio State University ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist training in Delaware County, hosted at Preservation Parks since 2014.
• SourcePointminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Golden Marathon weekly hikes for older adults, launched in 2006. Approximately 900 hikes have taken place since inception.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fairfax County Park Authority: Virginia county park authority managing 400+ parks and 23,000+ acres. Comparable as a large county-level public park system with educational programs, natural resource management, and similar visitor engagement.
• Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks: Ohio metropolitan park district operating 19+ parks across Franklin County with voter-approved levy funding. Direct structural and operational peer—same park district model under Ohio Revised Code, similar property tax funding, and adjacent service territory.
• Lake Metroparks: Northeast Ohio park district serving Lake County with parks, nature centers, and educational programming. Comparable as an Ohio county park district under the same ORC Chapter 1545 framework, providing a regional benchmark for similar-scale operations.
• Cleveland Metroparks: Established Ohio park district managing 18 reservations across the Cleveland area. Comparable as a long-standing Ohio metro park district with voter-supported funding, educational programming, and similar acreage scale (~25,000 acres).
• Great Parks of Hamilton County: Cincinnati-area park district operating parks, nature centers, and recreational facilities funded by property tax levies. Direct structural peer with comparable educational outreach and visitor scale.
• Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority: Michigan regional park authority operating 13 metroparks across five counties. Comparable regional/metro park district structure with similar acreage scale, educational programming, and public funding model.
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: Bi-county Maryland park authority managing 70+ parks across Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Comparable as a large-scale government park district with educational programming and natural resource management.
• Metroparks Toledo: Lucas County, Ohio park district providing nature-based recreation across 12+ parks. Peer under the same Ohio park district framework with comparable levy funding and programming.
• Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation: Utah county parks department operating regional parks, recreation centers, and trail systems. Comparable as a county-level public parks system with mixed tax and fee revenue model.
• Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation: North Carolina county parks department operating nature preserves, greenways, and recreation facilities. Comparable as a county-level public parks system in a fast-growing Sun Belt county with educational programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/preservationpar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4HbJK8sW5lr3Q7CXsaKqsQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PreservationParksDelawareCounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preservation-parks-of-delaware-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/preservationparks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Preservation Parks