Urton Clock House and Museum
The Urton Clock House and Museum is open May 1 through September 30. Volunteers are needed to host the museum and offer general park information. Hours: Saturdays from 1-5 p.m., and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Possibly open durning concerts and special events, depending on the ability of our volunteers to host.

If you would like to volunteer or have questions please contact Susan Kahrl at [email protected] or phone (740) 501-4892.

GROUPS!
We welcome groups to provide volunteers at the Clock House - including civic groups, card clubs, church groups, 4-H clubs, etc. If you have a group of people, we'd love to have you "Adopt the Park" for a weekend and help staff the Clock House for a weekend. If your club/organization donates 10 hours, your group will be listed for the week on our new elctronic sign on South Main Street! Check our calendar to see available dates. Contact 740-398-6603 to schedule your group.

CA&C Welcome Center
Plans are underway to have volunteers at the CA&C Welcome Center starting later this summer as bicycle traffic increases on the trail. Those who would like to volunteer at the CA&C Station Welcome Center, please contact Carrie Haver at (740) 392-6102.

Concerts
If you are interested in volunteering for the Free Summer Concert Series, all held at the Schnormeier Events Center, please contact Susan Kahrl at [email protected] or 740-501-4892.

Adopt the Park for a Week Groups - "Adopt the Park" for a Week
We encourage civic groups and other organizations to Adopt the Park for a week throughout our open season. Your organization could opt to do some weeding/landscaping, trash pickup, volunteer at the Clock House/Museum for a weekend, provide concert assistance, or develop your own special project to serve the park. Please contact Carrie Haver for additional details: (740) 501-9293.

There are several easy ways to get to Ariel-Foundation Park depending on where you are in Mount Vernon.

From Downtown: Head South on Main Street and make a right onto Columbus Road. You can then turn right on Madison Ave for the Lakes, or right on Pittsburgh Avenue for the main parking area.

From SR36 & SR229: You can look for the Harcourt Road entrance to The Lakes, or use Pittsburgh Avenue to get to the main parking area.

Click the map below to get customized driving directions. If using Google, use 10 Pittsburgh Avenue as the address.

Visitor Information

Park Map | Trails/Distance Map

Park Hours
Ariel-Foundation Park is officially open April 1 through November 15. Some areas of the park are accessible to pedestrians year-round. Daily hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. There are no admissions or parking fees. The Rastin Observation Tower, park museum, picnic pavillions, trails and other park features are free and open to the public. The Rastin Observation Tower will be open during winter months as long as the weather allows.

Parking
Park in designated areas only. During the winter, the park's internal roads and parking lots are closed to vehicles. However the main parking lots at the William A. Stroud Visitor Center, Schnormeier Event Center and Urton Clock House will remain open.

Accessibility
The William A. Stroud Welcome Center (CA&C Railroad Depot), Schnormeier Event Center, Community Foundation Pavillion, Urton Clock House, restrooms and picnic pavillions are all handicap accessible.

Rental/Food/Alcohol/Park Policies

Park Rules

Schnormeier Event Center
No outside food or beverage is allowed in the event center. Pets and smoking are prohibited as well. No bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades (please walk them through). Only alcohol purchased at park functions is allowed in the event center (must be kepts within the fenced in area).

Pets
Friendly pets are allowed in the park if kept on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Pets are not allowed in the Event Center during concerts/events.

Fishing
Fishing is allowed in the stocked West, Central and East lakes only. A current Ohio fishing license is required for those 16 and older.

Boating
Boating is permitted in the three main lakes only, with the following restrictions: crafts must be hand launched, no gasoline engines, no sailboats (catamarans are allowed). All State of Ohio, Division of Watercraft laws must be observed.

Swimming
Swimming and wading are NOT permitted in the park's lakes or reflecting pools.

Camping
There is no camping allowed in the park. Special circumstances may be considered but will go through a consideration proecess with the City of Mount Vernon and the Foundation Park Conservancy board. Call 740-501-9293 for more info.

Alcoholic Beverages
Public consumption of alcoholic beverages is NOT permitted within Ariel-Foundation Park. (Call 740-501-9293 to inquire about licensed alcoholic beverage service at special events sponsored by the Foundation Park Conservancy, or for private events in one of the park's rental venues.)

Rental/Food/Alcohol/Park Policies

For Your Safety
Do not climb on the park's steel sculptures or building ruins.

Please Keep Our Park Clean
Place all trash in the trash receptacles provided. Leave pavillions and picnic tables clean for the next visitor. If you have questions, please call the Mount Vernon City Parks Department at 740-393-9577.

Lanterns/Balloons
Sky lanterns are illegal in the state of Ohio. Balloon releases, while not yet illegal, are not allowed at the park. They are hazardous to area wildlife and create litter. If you are having a memorial event at the park, consider an environmentally friendly alternative like planting a memorial tree. Contact park manager with questions.

friends

View the latest annual report.

Ariel-Foundation Park was developed by volunteers using funds and services donated by generous businesses, foundations and individuals. Following its Grand Opening on July 4, 2015, the park was given to the City of Mount Vernon. The Foundation Park Conservancy is a nonprofit organization committed to providing financial support for the park, preserving the park and developing programming for the park.

Tax-deductible contributions may be made to: Foundation Park Conservancy, PO Box 644, Mount Vernon, OH 43050

VIEW A LIST OF 2022 FRIENDS OF THE PARK

PPG Employee Timecards

Former PPG employees can be honored with a permanent PPG Timecard which will be displayed in the Clock House & Museum. The cost is $250. Click below to fill out the form and make online payment.

Become a Lighting Partner

You can become a Lighting Partner and honor someone you love or celebrate a special occasion by "renting" the Rastin Tower lights or the downtown bridge lights for one night or longer. Ariel-Foundation Park will light the tower or bridges (or both) in the color(s) of your choice. Click to learn more...

Memorial Gifts

Foundation Park Conservancy welcomes gifts to the park made in memory or honor of individuals. Acknowledgements will be sent for all gifts, both to the donor and to the person or family of the person memorialized/honored.

Memorial/Honorary Gifts are a thoughtful way to recognize the impact of someone’s past or current life. Gifts to the Foundation Park Conservancy will be invested in the park to enhance the preservation and opportunities for enjoyment of the park.

Read the Memorial Policy.

To maintain the beauty and mission of the park, all memorial/honorarium requests will be reviewed by the Foundation Park Conservancy Development Committee and are subject to approval.

Sunset Swings

Sunset swings have been a beautiful and appreciated addition to "The Lakes" area of the park. Each powder-coated metal two-seat swing will sit on a concrete pad, offering a place to relax while watching the sunset at the park. These swings will be a wonderful place to unwind at the end of stressful day; to share a special moment among family members; or to take prom, engagement or wedding photos. Each swing will feature a metal sign above with wording of your choice (limited characters). The cost to commemorate a swing is $5,000, which covers creation of the swing, installation, and maintenance. To learn more, contact Melanie Bolender at 740-397-5757.

Benches

The Foundation Park Conservancy is in the process of replacing three wooden benches that provide a resting spot near the East Lake. They are weathered and aging. The plan is to replace them with more durable and modern iron benches as seen in the photo on the right. The cost to name a permanent bench in honor or memory of someone special is $3,000, which covers replacement of the cement base, fabrication, installation, and maintenance. To learn more, contact Melanie Bolender at [email protected]

Book Available

The book, “Ariel-Foundation Park: The Story of an Ohio Town that Preserved its History and Transformed an Abandoned Industrial Site into a World-Class Park” by Aaron Keirns is available for purchase at Paragraphs Bookstore and The Kenyon Bookstore.

Park Events and Projects

For information about supporting specific park events or projects, please contact Jeff Scott at 740-392-3270.

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Friends of the Park