ASHLAND — The Ashland County Parks District director has resigned in order to spend more time with family.
Stephanie Featheringill, 30, who lives just outside of the city of Ashland, stepped into the role in January 2018.
She gave birth to a son in June.
“Being director is more than a 40-hour per week position,” she said in a press release issued Wednesday. “The job entails an erratic work schedule, often requiring weekend and evening hours.”
She does not have another job lined up at the moment.
“I’m not 100% decided yet,” she said. “I can’t say for sure. I would still be looking for another job.”
Parks district board member Bob DeSanto said the board accepted her resignation “with regret.”
“We appreciate the work Ms. Featheringill has accomplished since being appointed as director in January of 2018. Much has been accomplished during her tenure. We hope that we might work together again in the future,” DeSanto said.
The search for a new director began shortly after Ashland County Commissioners accepted her resignation on Nov. 14. The board has not set a target date for the naming of a new director.
She will continue in her role through Dec. 31.
Featheringill moved to Ashland soon after graduating from Ashland University with a degree in environmental science and business. She grew up in Middleburg Heights.
She began volunteering part-time for the park district while a student at AU. She simultaneously volunteered at the Medina County Park District and worked as an intern at the Richland County Park District while in school.
Soon after graduating from AU, she was hired as the Ashland County Parks District operations and program coordinator. She became its director in January 2018.
Featheringill said she is most proud of leading the district’s successful passage of two levies.
“The last levy in 2020 passed by 72%, which demonstrates the overwhelming support and approval of what has been accomplished,” she said.
During her tenure, the parks district opened Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park in 2020, and began the planning for the the not-yet-opened Davy McClure education center there in April.
In September 2021, the district opened a new park at Polk’s Hrouda Woods.
The district also completed the construction of a visitor center at Freer Field in January.
