Metroparks Toledo’s mission to be a leader in the conservation of natural resources includes employing sustainable practices that protect resources in the long term.
To that end, the park district and the Metroparks Toledo Foundation are exploring the feasibility of constructing a solar array on otherwise unusable land at the site of two former Toledo landfills.
To engage in talks with suppliers, other partners and a potential energy buyer, Metroparks must secure the option to lease the capped Tyler and Dura Avenue landfills from the City of Toledo. The project would advance a goal of reducing the impact of the park system’s operations on the environment while generating funds to support important conservation work by:
•Potentially providing a sustainable, cost-effective source of energy for a large manufacturer in the community that would purchase the electricity
•Furthering the community’s goals for a cleaner environment
•Funding additional sustainability efforts to benefit local residents
•Making beneficial use of otherwise unusable land Energy produced from the solar array could be sold into the electrical grid or directly to a large manufacturer, providing a positive cash flow that would help offset Metroparks operating expenses.
The park district is well positioned to lead this effort because of its track record of convening key partners around major community improvements and its vision to elevate the region and enhance its reputation.
