What's in store for 2024 in Pike Township? More graves, new park, road levy, more housing

Editor’s note: The Canton Repository asked leaders in each of Stark County’s 17 townships, 11 villages and six cities to share some highlights about what's in store for 2024 in their communities.

The responses include the return of some family-friendly events, a variety of new businesses and some much-needed improvements to longstanding structures. We will be presenting these community highlights to you throughout the upcoming months.

PIKE TWP. – Hundreds of new graves, a new park and a proposed housing allotment are coming to the rural rolling terrain of Pike Township this year.

Here's what’s in store for 2024 in the township of roughly 3,800 residents:

Melscheimer Cemetery to expand

Trustees plan to add roughly 750 to 800 more graves to Melscheimer Cemetery at Ridge Avenue and Melscheimer Street SW. The new graves will be located south of the existing sections along Ridge Avenue SW.

The cemetery, which began as the Melscheimer Lutheran Church cemetery, came under the care of Pike Township in 1958 when the church disbanded. Since then, the cemetery land has been expanded to more than 12 acres.

Between 1829 and 2023, there have been 3,477 burials in the cemetery, which is one of 11 cemeteries that Pike Township maintains.

More sheriff patrols added

The Stark County Sheriff's Office will be patrolling the township more often this year. Trustees have agreed to share the cost of contracting the Sheriff’s Office with East Sparta to provide 40 additional hours of patrol coverage to the two communities. The township's contribution is $35,000.

Trustee Paul Mosberger said residents for many years have been asking for additional coverage that goes beyond a sheriff deputy responding to a call about a crime.

"This extra patrol coverage is proactive to stopping or curbing crime," he said. "If we get complaints in one area, we now have the ability to have the sheriff spend more time in that area."

New 500-acre equestrian park to open

A nearly 500-acre park designed for horse riding is expected to open this summer along Cleveland Avenue SE (state Route 800), just south of Pike Township Hall.

Stark Parks plans to install roughly a dozen miles of equestrian and hiking trails along the hills and valleys on the property, which once was home to Canton’s wastewater plant and sludge farm. To the west of Cleveland Avenue, an archery range and tower, a boat launch along the Nimishillen Creek, a shelter, restrooms and a parking area are planned.

Stark Parks will manage the property under a no-cost, 25-year development and use agreement with the city of Canton, which owns the property.

Additional road levy on March election ballot

Township voters will be asked on the March 19 election ballot to approve an additional 1-mill levy to help with road repairs and maintenance over the next five years.

If approved, the five-year levy would generate $163,000 a year and cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $35 a year, according to the Stark County Auditor's Office.

Mosberger said the township is seeking the new levy due to the higher cost of salt, gravel, asphalt, equipment and other supplies. The township's current road levy doesn't generate enough money to cover the higher costs and the money the township received from landfill operators has been depleted. That means the township's general fund, which also funds the additional sheriff's coverage and other township operations, must plug the budget gap.

Pike Place housing allotment to be built

A new housing allotment at 5647 Cleveland Ave. SE is expected to be built this summer.

The allotment, called Pike Place, will be built on 16 acres across from Brenner Tree Farm. According to preliminary development plans, Partner Land Co. plans to create six single-family home lots that are nearly 2 acres each and a road that leads to a cul-de-sac called Ruby Lane Circle SE.

The existing house on the property will remain, the plans show.

Winter activities set for Fry Family Park

Fry Family Park at 2533 Farber St. SE will offer two programs in February.

The Frozen Toes Challenge, which is a 5-mile course for walkers and runners, will be held on Feb. 10. Cost is $5 and registration is required before Feb. 5.

The Snowshoe Glow Hike, where participants will learn about the park’s nocturnal creatures during a glow-in-the-dark hike, will be held on Feb. 24. The program is free, while snowshoe rental costs $5. Registration is required. More information is available at starkparks.com.

Reach Canton Repository writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Pike Township to expand Melscheimer Cemetery, welcome new park