RAVENNA − The city’s new parks and recreation director is planning many events this year − including some at Sunbeau Valley Farm, which is Ravenna’s newest recreation area.
The sprawling, 43-acre horse farm was purchased by the city in September, just before the farm was to be auctioned. At that time, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Bundy had been hired but had not yet started work.
Of the $1.27 million paid for the property, the majority was money specifically earmarked for park capital improvements, Bundy said. Mayor Frank Seman recently said that when Ravenna received $440,000 in tax dollars from adult cannabis sales from the city’s marijuana dispensary, it was, in essence, a reimbursement to the city’s general fund for its share of the purchase price.
Bundy said he hasn’t had time to fully evaluate the property, such as assessing electric capacity. But the department’s calendar of events for 2026 includes such events as a summer celebration in June, archery clinics, “Sun Boo” for Halloween, and photo booths at the horse stalls in November, which will be decorated for the holidays.
Chris Bundy, the City of Ravenna’s new Parks and Recreation director, has big plans for the city’s new entertainment venue, Sunbeau Valley Farm.
Who is Chris Bundy?
Bundy, a native of central Ohio, came to Ravenna from Canal Fulton, where he also served as parks director. But Bundy, a Portage County resident, wanted a shorter commute and was glad for the chance to move closer to home when Judy Watkins retired from the position.
Before taking the job in Canal Fulton, Bundy worked at Mill Creek Park in Youngstown as recreation manager.
He and his wife have four children, who are in kindergarten, fourth, sixth and eighth grades. They attend the Southeast Local School District.
What’s next for the parks?
The Ravenna Parks and Recreation Planner has a year’s worth of events, but those in the first quarter of the year are mostly indoor activities, such as dance classes, basketball and gymnastics classes. The first outdoor activity of the year is the Marlene Watt Poker Run, planned for March 14.
Registration is open for a run/walk that raises money to offset registration fees for Ravenna youth activities. Participants pay $40 to participate, which includes a T-shirt, a chance to win a $500 “Pot O Gold,” gift basket raffles and a swag bag. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the English Pub, where an after-party is planned after the event.
Participants will pick up a playing card at each stop, and the participant who has the best hand will win $500. There also are chances to win additional prizes at the after-party. Teams of five or more will receive a $5 discount upon registration, which is requested by Feb. 19 to guarantee a shirt. Register on the department’s website.
Other spring activities include the annual Easter Egg Hunt, disc golf at Chestnut Hills Park, fishing, bus trips and pickleball leagues.
Summer activities include camps, Safety Town and the Community Cup, planned Aug. 28, Sept. 1-2 and Sept. 5. The Summer Celebration, planned June 5, will be the first big event at Sunbeau.
Chris Bundy, the City of Ravenna’s new Parks and Recreation director, stands among exercise equipment Thursday, Feb.12, 2026, in Ravenna.
‘The sky’s the limit’ at Sunbeau
Sunbeau always operated as a horse farm. It originally was owned by Sterling Smith, who owned White Rubber, and named the farm after his horse, Sun Beau. For more than 60 years, the farm was home to the Portage County Charity Horse Show.
Don and Kay Viall, who bought the farm after Smith’s death, decided to auction the property in September 2025. Fearing that a developer would alter the property, City Council rushed to buy the property before the auction could take place.
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair hosted its launches at the farm from 1980 to 2024. Balloon A-Fair moved them to the Portage County Randolph Fairgrounds this year.
Bundy said he still needs to work out details of things such as entrances and exits at Sunbeau. Because the Vialls kept some of the property for themselves, motorists won’t have access to the gate off State Route 59, and it’s unclear whether parking can be expanded.
He said he views the property as an “event center” where a wide variety of activities can take place.
“As far as I’m concerned, the sky is the limit for Sunbeau,” he said. “It’s going to be a property we can use for a lot of things.”
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna Parks Director Chris Bundy has big plans for Sunbeau Farm
