ASHLAND — The Ashland County Park District will usher in a new era of leadership this summer with adirector who has an extensive career in park management.
ACPD Director Eric Schneider will resign on May 8 after nearly three years with the parks, according to a press release.
Ashland County native Dan Mager will succeed Schneider.
“The [park] commissioners were disappointed with Mr. Schneider’s leaving, but they were understanding,” the release read.
Schneider’s legacy at Ashland County parks
Park Commissioner Bob DeSanto said: “Eric is an accomplished professional who put the park district on sound footing for the future. Eric had many accomplishments with the park district,” according to the press release.
Those accomplishments included:
- Guiding implementation of Candy Cane Trail
- Leading construction of the Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center
- Remodeling the Fireman’s Cabin
- Updating Freer Barn
- Improving walking trails throughout Ashland County parks
- Conducting a survey asking residents what they want to see at the parks
But Schneider said his greatest accomplishment was bringing awareness of what the park district has to offer to Ashland County residents.
“The community is more aware of us now, and they see we’re an essential service.”
ACPD Director Eric Schneider
“The community is more aware of us now, and they see we’re an essential service,” he said.
Schneider said that is evident with the passing of the parks levy in 2025, especially during a tumultuous property tax climate.
Even though Schneider is leaving, the parks will continue to see the fruits of his labor with the completion of phase two at Tom Kruse Park, which will include a boardwalk across the pond, completing the paved trails and a nature playscape.
The parks will also break ground on a new project: site restoration of 25 acres of wetlands at Avian Acres Park. The project was funded through an H2Ohio grant and will allow for fish spawning habitats, beaver dam analogs and increased bird watching opportunities.
Schneider hopes to see the next director continue to increase trail development because Ashland County residents pointed to trails as their top interest in the 2025 survey.
He also sees opportunity for improvement in networking and collaboration with other county park districts to expand trails and create longer-distance options.
“My replacement has a wealth of background,” Schneider said.
As for Schneider’s next career move, the future is uncertain.
Dan Mager to replace Schneider
The park commissioners selected Mager to lead the park in its new era.
Mager is an Ashland High School graduate who has an extensive 32-year career in Ohio parks. After his term in the United States Marine Corps, Mager attended the Ohio Peace Office Academy.
His first job after graduation was park ranger and watercraft officer at Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill Lake Parks for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, according to the press release.
He was eventually promoted to park supt. of Tappan Lake Park, then park supt. of Charles Mill Lake Park, then regional park supt. covering the Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill area.
Mager retired from MWCD in 2013 after taking a position at the Ashland County Municipal Court where he served as a probation officer.
Mager returned to MWCD in 2018 as deputy chief of parks and marinas, where he worked until 2022 when he retired.
“This is the only job I’ve ever really considered coming out of retirement for,” Mager said.
DeSanto reached out to Mager to ask if he had interest in the position, and one thing led to another. He took the position because of his life-long interest in natural resources conservation.
“It’s kind of the dream job,” Mager said.
He plans to build off Schneider’s work and continue to offer park access for people with interest in fishing, birding, hiking and everything in-between.
Mager and Schneider will work together beginning March 16 when Mager will officially start.
“I have a lot of relationships in the county and I hope to maximize those partnerships,” he said.