At the September 25 meeting, the Metroparks Toledo board of commissioners received an update on progress at Secor park, which has been undergoing an expansion project. LaRae Sprow, natural resources supervisor, said the bulk of the work has been completed on the 229-acre addition. She noted that in 2022, the park district acquired an additional 30 acres of forested land abutting the property.
Formerly a golf course, the acreage was purchased in 2020 with $4.2 million in outside funding, including $2.2 million from Akron through the Ohio EPA’s water resources restoration sponsorship program.
An additional $500,000 was provided by the U.S. EPA through the Maumee Area of Concern program. The Maumee AOC is one of 43 sites on the Great Lakes targeted for restoration due to environmental degradation, she explained.
To restore the property to its natural state, Metroparks received funding from the water resources restoration sponsorship program, $705,000; U.S. EPA through the AOC, $330,000; U.S. Forest service, $200,000; anonymous donor, $150,000; Ohio EPA, $132,000, and Metroparks membership program, $10,000.
Sprow said the focus was on habitat restoration, water quality improvements, stormwater retention and visitor engagement.
More than 200 acres was reestablished to Oak Openings prairie with 23,000 trees and an improved aquatic habitat.
She noted the Oak Openings region is ecologically significant in Ohio, supporting five plant communities and harboring one-third of all endangered plant species statewide.
The restoration has paid dividends not just in the plant life, but in the return of wildlife.
“The wildlife is responding really well. We have seen birds, beavers, weasels, minks, snakes and field mice,” she said, adding, “One of our goals was to bring back the sandhill cranes to the area. We had a successful nest this year.”
She said the next step in the process is to bring the public out to visit the site. “We are excited to share this project. It’s fun to see how, when you do the right thing, nature responds.”
Other Business
In other business, the park board:
•Approved the design and installation of mural art on the Toledo pickleball building, 1030 Water Street, Toledo, at a cost of $77,000. Art Farm LLC of Whitehouse will create the mural.
•Entered into an agreement with Property Assessed Clean Energy program to provide up to $2.45 million to pay for special energy improvement projects at Glass City Riverwalk, 1030 Water Street.
To pay for the project, Metroparks will be assessed on its property tax lien over 20 years.
•Approved the issuance of $18.75 million in bonds for the Glass City Riverwalk project..
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of grants, to apply for a $30,000 grant through the France Stone Foundation, the funds of which would be used for construction of a shelter near the dam at Providence park.
•Approved a request to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission Clean Ohio conservation program funds in the amount of $1.2 million.
“We will know by November if we are successful,” Gallant said.
•Entered into a contract with Smith Dawson and Andrews LLC at a cost of $6,500. The firm will advocate through government relations on behalf of Metroparks.
There was a slight increase in the fee this year, explained Matt Killiam, chief outreach officer, but “they have been a great resource. This is worthwhile.”
•Amended the revenues and appropriations measure to reflect updates for grants and programs. The new revenue figure is $115.61 million and appropriations are $97.85 million.
•Paid bills for August totaling $5.06 million.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 23, in the conference center at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
