Become a Heart of the Parks Member!
Support Ohio State Parks and enjoy exclusive member benefits.
Join Today!Tree and Bench Program
Honor a loved one, celebrate a memory or give back to nature by purchasing a tree, bench or picnic table. We
Planned Giving Options
What will your legacy be? Contact us to discuss leaving Ohio State Parks Foundation in your will or estate plan.
Support The Gosnell Warner Trail Fund
This newly-created trail fund will be used to enhance, maintain and build new trails throughout all 76 Ohio State Parks.
Our Projects
The Gosnell Warner Trail Fund was created in honor of our board member Clyde Gosnell and his wife, Louise Warner.
The fund will improve, maintain, and create new trails in Ohio’s 76 State Parks.
Thank you for believing that every child should have access to a playground!
Two new inclusive playgrounds were completed at Strouds and Delaware State Parks in 2025 thanks to our supporters. We still have many more parks that need accessible playgrounds, including Buckeye Lake, Blue Rock, East Harbor, Lake Logan, and more.
Become a Sustainability Supporter
Help us support ConServe, the Ohio State Parks plan to make our parks more sustainable.
$15,000 to raise
Thank You
To Our Sustainability
Supporters
Enhance. Protect. Preserve.
Our Community Supporters
Our Leaders
Hon. Jane Campbell
Board Trustee
Jane L. Campbell, the first and to date only woman elected Mayor of Cleveland,…
Dr. Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D.
Current Chair
Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D., has an extensive background in higher education and philanthropic leadership….
Steve Swift
Secretary/Treasurer
Steve enjoys spending as much time with his family as possible while watching his…
Eric Friedman
Board Trustee
Eric Friedman is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Edward Holdings LLC, an early…
Theresa Popp Braun
Board Trustee
Dr. Theresa Popp Braun is the National Director, Center for Education and Financial Capability…
David Henthorne
Vice Chair
David Henthorne is an award-winning creative director, marketing executive, and Certified Tourism Ambassador. As…
Lisa Daris
Executive Director
Lisa Daris is an outdoor enthusiast who previously coordinated the efforts of the Ohio…
H.C. Buck Niehoff
Founding Member
H.C. Buck Niehoff is a retired attorney (after 40 years with the law firm…
David Pepper
Board Trustee
David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served…
Brian Blair
Board Trustee
Brian Blair holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University School of…
Governor Bob Taft (1999 – 2007)
Immediate Past Chair and Founding Member
Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft teaches Legislative Politics and Education Policy at the University…
Mary Mertz, ODNR Director, Ex Officio
Founding Member
Mary Mertz serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Governor Mike…
Keith Shumate
Founding Board Member
Keith Shumate is a partner at the Columbus law firm of Squire Patton Boggs…
Fran Buchholzer
Emeritus, Founding Member
Fran Buchholzer is a conservation activist, a former director of the Ohio Department of…
Featured Donors
“We always notice how extensive the park systems are because parks are a determining factor in where we will retire someday. But based on what we’ve seen so far, the parks in Ohio have…
Liz W.
DonorSadie Tumbleson was recently asked by her sister what she wanted most for a gift. Sadie replied that she wanted a donation made to Ohio State Parks Foundation in her name.
Sadie T
Donor“Besides the motorcycle riding, the high point was definitely going to Ohio State Parks,” – David Hale, of Virginia, and rider of the Windy 9 motorcycle route in Athens, Ohio
David H of Virginia
Donor“Our amazing granddaughter, Annabelle, is always appreciative when she visits a park that has paved trails where she can enjoy “hiking” in her wheelchair. Many thanks to you and your foundation for all you…
Kay and Raymond S
DonorLatest News
25 Mar
Protected: Ohio State Parks Foundation Presents Author Historian Douglas Brinkley
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There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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28 Feb
2026 Grandma Gatewood (Virtual) Challenge Registration is now Open
Posted By lisa_daris
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5 Miles x 5 Hikes x 5 Parks x 5 Weeks Be sure to register by Sunday, April 26…
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10 Feb
Join the Grandma Gatewood Challenge 2026
Posted By lisa_daris
Comments ( 0 )
5 Miles x 5 Hikes x 5 Parks x 5 Weeks Be sure to register by Sunday, April 26…
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Contact Information
P.O. Box 403, Westerville, OH 43086
866-672-7533
email: info@ohiostateparksfoundation.org
website: https://www.ohiostateparksfoundation.org
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