A key component of Metroparks Toledo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
At the April 24 meeting, the park board received an overview of progress and growth at Blue Creek Native Nursery in Whitehouse.
The nursery is central to Metroparks’ mission, which is “to conserve the region’s natural resources by creating, developing, improving, protecting and promoting clean, safe and natural parks and open spaces for the benefit, enjoyment, education, and general welfare of the public.”
Kerri Whiteman, nursery crew leader, explained that the nursery sits on the site of the former Toledo House of Corrections. The jail operated from 1918 to 1991 and housed low level offenders.
She provided as an example, Howard Masters, who was fined $100 and sentenced to 90 days, and Anna Simmons, who was fined $50 with a 60-day sentence to the workhouse for stealing chickens.
During their time at the jail, the offenders worked the farm, canning house and quarry.
Eventually, the old jail became insufficient to meet the county’s needs and a new one was built in Toledo, leading to the closure of the Whitehouse facility in 1991.
In 2001, Metroparks acquired the land and began to use the acreage to restore areas of Oak Openings that had been degraded from farming.
The catalyst for growth of the nursery occurred in 2004 when Metroparks was awarded a federal grant to restore habitat of the Karner blue butterfly, Whiteman said.
The process of collecting native plant seeds was an arduous one prior to 2002 with seeds collected by hand, cleaned and sorted.
That initial seed collection led to the eventual development of the nursery where seeds are collected, prepped and planted in small containers. As the plants grow, they are transplanted to larger containers or into the fields, she explained.
During harvest time, seeds are collected from plants and dried in preparation for the following year.
While some seeds remain at the nursery for the next season, a number of seeds and plants that were grown are distributed throughout the park district to restore and preserve natural areas, Whiteman said.
She said the plants are paramount to supporting biodiversity and to bringing back insects and wildlife. They are especially important for pollinators like honeybees, which are the final link in the chain for plants to produce the food human beings consume.
None of the work from seed collection to production would be possible without the help of volunteers, she said, adding, “We couldn’t do this without them.”
She pointed out work at the nursery is never ending as they endeavor to plant native vegetation while battling non-native, invasive species.
But she noted area residents are helping with their interest and purchase of native plants for their homes and gardens.
Whiteman said Blue Creek Seed Nursery, 7790 Schadel Road, will host a native plant sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 18 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, May 19.
Visitors can select from a variety of native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.
She concluded by pointing out that today, Blue Creek Nursery has grown from a small facility to the largest publicly owned nursery in Ohio.
Park commissioner Fritz Byers expressed appreciation to Whiteman for her presentation. “This is so central to our mission,” he said, adding, “so often what you do goes unnoticed.”
He questioned whether they had any vision on how to spread word about the nursery.
“Currently, we are brainstorming ideas and other partnerships,” she responded.
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners:
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of grants, to apply for a $200,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds would be used for mental health and wellness services for law enforcement.
The board also approved Gallant’s request to apply for funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in an amount not to exceed $500,000.
The funds would be used to remove invasive plant species, reduce woody encroachment and maintain globally rare Lakeplain Oak Openings wetlands.
“This is a really exciting opportunity,” said Tim Schetter, chief natural resources officer.
He noted the work will target mostly the northern part of Oak Openings up to Secor park and includes further restoration of 1,000 acres that were restored a number of years ago.
Mr. Schetter added that with this funding they also “hope to purchase equipment to maintain wet prairies in the future.”
•Amended the appropriations and resources to reflect federal and state grants the park district received. The new totals are appropriations, $75.78 million, and revenues, $94.87 million.
•Approved the purchase of an open-air shelter at a cost of $72,951 for Manhattan Marsh park from Penchura LLC.
•Entered into an agreement with J&M Cruise Lines to provide water transportation services on the Maumee River. The company will reimburse Metroparks $400,000 for dock restoration over the first 20 years of the agreement.
The 50-year agreement includes an option to renew for an additional 50 years.
•Approved a lease agreement with Black Swamp Cattle Company which will provide cattle to graze on a section of Oak Openings in an effort to improve habitat quality for native birds and wildlife.
Cattle will graze on 29.6 acres on Monclova Road and 23.2 acres on Parkway.
Metroparks agrees to fence the perimeter and supply a water tank for use onsite. Black Swamp will lease the acreage for $792.
In a related matter, Metroparks approved a lease agreement with Black Swamp to mow, rake, tend and bale a 15.3-acre area of Oak Openings.
Removal of the warm season grasses as bales may be utilized by the lessee’s cattle, explained Zurijanne Carter, deputy chief of natural resources.
•Entered into a 20-year agreement with Toledo Pickle LLC to manage and operate a family recreation center at 1030 Water Street along the Glass City Riverwalk.
“Toledo Pickle will oversee food and beverage services as well as a range of recreational experiences,” said Matt Killam, chief outreach officer.
He noted that the company has managed operations in 14 cities and five states for more than 40 years.
•Declared as surplus a number of items that are no longer used or obsolete and approved their sale.
•Paid bills for March totaling $3.38 million.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 29. The location has yet to be determined.
