Sol Harris Day Architecture

This recreational project began as a vision to expand the capabilities of the Stark Parks wildlife rehabilitation program, which cares for an average of 2,000 wounded animals annually, and to intertwine space to host and support educational programs. Previously, Stark Parks had been operating out of a 2,000 square foot pole building on the Sippo Lake site since 1981 with little or no accommodations for park staff and volunteers. Additional space was needed to improve care for the injured animals, expand opportunities to collaborate and conduct research with professionals and academics, and to host educational exhibits and park programs.

Services

  • Master Planning
  • Visualizations and Graphics
  • Sustainable Design
  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • FF&E
  • Estimating/Scheduling

Visitors have been in awe of the change and appreciative of the environmentally sustainable practices that were used in the building’s construction, which is so important to the mission we serve.

Sarah Buell, Projects and Administration Manager, Stark Parks

Sustainable Features

The new 9,405 square foot recreational building, clad in cedar siding and stone, was envisioned to compliment the beautiful forested park site and to have minimal environmental impact. Great care was taken to  reduce energy and water usage and to utilize high quality local materials with reduced maintenance requirements. The wall and roof assemblies were designed to achieve high insulation levels. Cisterns collect rainwater that is used for the care of the animals and for cleaning wildlife enclosures. Abundant windows offer light, views and a connection with nature for both staff and the animal patients. The glass in the windows includes a ceramic frit to deter birds and bats from flying into the park building. Skylights offer natural light to reduce energy loads and support the animal’s circadian rhythm. Exposed colored concrete floors can be found throughout the majority of the recreational building, reducing the amount of flooring materials needed. The concrete also features paw prints of local wildlife species. 

Building Organization

There are many unique aspects that were incorporated into the Wildlife Center to enhance the space for the rehabilitation animals. Three shades of paint were used in the recovery rooms to emulate the land, horizon line, and sky. Custom tubs were built for recovering waterfowl to provide constant water movement to keep oils from building up on their feathers. Custom sinks were built for recovering waterfowl and turtles that can be used for cleaning the animals or a grate can be placed over top to turn it into a cage. 

There is also 6,097 square feet of outdoor caging on the park site to house injured and educational animals that was designed to exceed wildlife rehabilitation standards and expand the capabilities of the program.  

Highlights

  • New Wildlife Conservation Center serves two purposes: education and conservation (primary focus)
  • Provides public access in the Animal Education Center to learn about Stark Parks natural wildlife and environment
  • Offers rehabilitation and release of wildlife, providing medical treatment and healing
  • Provides the ability to monitor the general health and wellness of the wildlife
  • Conservation spaces include an exam room, prep area, ICU, mammal recovery, quarantine area, waterfowl/songbird recovery, raptor recovery and several outdoor pens (including flight cages) for pre-release of animals
  • Administrative offices for staff included

This project was very unique and Melinda (SHD) took care to listen to what we needed to streamline our wildlife care operation, provide for educational opportunities for the community and to incorporate our Natural Resources department into this new space.

Sarah Buell, Projects and Administration Manager, Stark Parks

Meet the Team

  • Melinda Scalfaro
  • Abigail Maurer
  • Jeff Hardy

Awards

  • Ohio Parks & Recreation Association (OPRA) Award of Excellence

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K-12

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Higher Education

Ashland UniversityBelmont CollegeBethany CollegeBluffton UniversityThe College of WoosterGrove City CollegeIndiana Wesleyan UniversityKent State UniversityKenyon CollegeMalone UniversityMount Vernon Nazarene UniversityNorth Central State CollegeStark State CollegeThe Ohio State UniversityUniversity of AkronUniversity of Mount UnionWalsh UniversityWashington State Community College

Workplace

3D Business AcceleratorAdvanced Storage SystemsAirtex ProductsAkron-Canton AirportAkron Community FoundationAmerimar Enterprises, Inc.ASC IndustriesBair's PowersportsBAM Healthy CuisineBekaertBridgestone AmericasCampbell Oil CompanyCutler RealtorsDeHoff DevelopmentDeVille DevelopmentsDiebold NixdorfDix CommunicationsDowntown FordEnvironmental Design GroupFedex Custom CriticalFirst MeritGE CapitalGoddard SchoolsGreat Lakes ConstructionHampton InnIn The RoundKiko Auctioneers and RealtorsLean DogLeopard Town TwirlersLG FuelNational Inventors Hall of FameNickles BakeryPegasus FarmPetitti Garden CenterPenske TruckProgressive ChryslerProgressive InsurancePro Car Automotive GroupPro Football Hall of FameS.D. Myers IndustriesSecuritas Electronic SecuritySterling JewelersStruktol Company of AmericaTaylor BankThe Timken CompanyUnited Glass and Panel SystemsYoung Truck

Recreation

Alliance Family YMCABoy Scouts of AmericaBrookside Country ClubBucyrus Area YMCACambridge YMCACampCarl.lifeCongress Lake Country ClubEric Snow YMCA (Downtown Canton)Ernie's Bicycle ShopFirestone Country ClubGeauga Park DistrictGirl Scouts of North East OhioGlenmoor Country ClubLakota YMCALouisville YMCAMassillon Boys & Girls ClubMinerva YMCAMount Vernon YMCAMurfreesboro Tennis ComplexMuskingum Watershed Conservancy DistrictNorth Canton YMCAParamount Tennis ClubPaul & Carol David YMCA (Jackson)Pegasus FarmShady Hallow Country ClubSilver Lake Country ClubStark ParksStark County Wilderness CenterTiffin Community YMCATuscarawus County YMCAWestbrook Country ClubYMCA of Central Stark CountyAlliance Country ClubAshland County Parks

Other

Aultman FoundationAultman HospitalChapel Hill Retirement CommunityGastroenterology SpecialistsThe Lenzy Family InstituteMeniru Medical OfficesRose Lane Nursing & RehabilitationScriptShop PharmacyShady Lawn Nursing & RehabilitationSt. Lukes Lutheran HomeThe Pines Lakeside TherapyTraditions at Bath Road Nursing HomeTrillium Family SolutionsUnion HospitalWooster Community HospitalAkron Community FoundationArtsinStarkBolivar Volunteer Fire DepartmentCanton Township FireCarroll County District LibraryCarroll County TransitCity of WoosterJackson TownshipLiberty Development CompanyLouisville Public LibraryMassillon Fire DepartmentMassillon MuseumMassillon Public LibraryMinerva Champer of CommercePerry Township Police DepartmentPlain Township Fire DepartmentSeville-Guilford Township Fire and EMSSmithville Fire DepartmentStark County CommissionersStark County Department of Job & Family ServicesStark County District LibraryStark Community FoundationSummit County Department of Job & Family ServicesThe Chapel in AkronChrist Community Chapel in HudsonFirst Friends ChurchGrace United Methodist ChurchGreentown United Methodist ChurchHoly Trinity Greek Orthodox ChurchSt. Mary's Catholic ChurchSt. Michael the Archangel ParishSt. Michael Lutheran ChurchSt. Stephens Lutheran Martyr ChurchA.H. Wilson BuildingBenders TavernCanton Palace TheatreHoover HouseLake TownshipLimbauch BuildingsLions Lincoln TheatreMassillon Heritage FoundationNational First Ladies LibrarySpring Hill Historic HomeSt. Edward HotelWooly Pig Farm BreweryAlmost Heaven Homemade Ice CreamBoggs Chiropractic

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