On October 26, Metroparks Toledo celebrated the two-year anniversary of its receipt of the Gold Medal Award as the best large park system in America at the Pavilion at Glass City. Metroparks received the honor in 2020. That year saw the opening of Cannonball Prairie, Manhattan Marsh Preserve, Glass City phase one, the Cannaley Treehouse Village and a six-mile extension of the Wabash Cannonball Trail–all of which opened during the global pandemic.
That year, the parks had record visitation, and it marked the park system’s promise to deliver a park within five miles of every home in Lucas County. Board president Scott Savage expressed appreciation to the community for its support and the staff for their exceptional service to Lucas County residents during a challenging and rewarding year in Metroparks’ 94-year history.
Other Business
In other business, the park board:
•Rejected bids for improvements to a farmhouse at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5434 West Bancroft Street. Metroparks received just one bid from the Dotson Company, and it exceeded the maximum award threshold of $102,297, explained Brad Hooven, manager of self-performed construction. The project will be re-evaluated and the estimate revised if necessary, he added.
Renovations to the 2,474square-foot, two-story farmhouse call for converting the interior into office space and eliminating rotting wood lath, plaster ceiling, carpet and laminate flooring. There also would be upgrades to mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems.
•Entered into a bridge inspection program with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Glass City pedestrian bridge over Front Street, Toledo, and box beam culverts at Beach Ridge entrance, Tupelo Way at Secor park and over Gale Run Ditch at Oak Openings.
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of community development, to seek funding of up to $200,000 from the U.S. Forest Service. The grant would be used to fund tree planting and forest health improvement projects in the Great Lakes Basin.
They also approved Mr. Gallant’s request to apply for a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. He is asking for up to $500,000 to support development of the Glass City riverwalk.
•Approved the design and installation of a donor recognition wall at Glass City park at a cost of $97,900.
•Paid bills for September totaling $1.38 million
•Received an update on programming from Shannon Hughes, director of education and programs.
•Approved a construction manager-at-risk for preconstruction services at Glass City park.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 16. The location has yet to be decided.
~Jane Maiolo
