Park Board : Staff 

  The Portage Park District was formed by the action of the Portage County Commissioners in 1991 as an independent government agency. It is overseen by an unpaid, five-member Board of Park Commissioners appointed by the County Probate Judge according to Ohio Revised Code 1545.

Meet your Park Board!

  The Portage Park District has been very fortunate since its inception to have high quality leaders to serve as Park Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners of the Park District is appointed by the County Probate Judge Thomas Carnes. The 5 members of the Board are responsible for the governance of the Park District and serve as volunteers for a renewable 3-year term. Because the Portage Park District’s funding and staff are limited, the Board members have taken on additional roles, pitching in regularly where needed to get the job done. Current Board members include Dick Abbott, Gary Cross, Allan Orashan, Betsy Tomasko and Jim Tucker.

Richard E. Abbott

   Dick is the founder of ACRT, an international natural resource and urban forestry consulting firm. He brings his experience as a past international president of the International Society of Arboriculture and a member of numerous environmental, conservation and professional groups.

Gary Cross
  Gary, a retired Superintendent for Cleveland Metroparks, brings over 30 years of park district experience to our development and operations projects. Cleveland Metroparks is nationally recognized as one of the outstanding large park systems. A woodworker, Gary has also contributed to the construction of signs and kiosks.

Allan Orashan
   Allan has a long history associated with the park system, being the first County Parks Department Director whose job included overseeing the development of Towner’s Woods Park in the 70’s. Allan is now a realtor who provides his expertise for planning and acquiring land for the Park District.

Elizabeth Tomasko

  Betsy is a practicing attorney and an active member of Aurora Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and Schools foundation. She is a current member of the Aurora Conservation Council and very active in community affairs.

Jim Tucker
  Jim Tucker, owner of Tucker Image Design Group, in Kent, and avid camper and hiker has volunteered his services for the Park Levy campaigns, developing signs and park literature. His assistance is invaluable as the Board promotes the Portage Park District.

Find out more about Park Board meetings.