For the Metroparks Toledo commissioners, the July 28 regular meeting proved to be a very productive one.
The five-member board approved construction of wetlands at Secor, construction plans at Glass City and a trail extension at Swan Creek Preserve parks.
Secor Park
Restoring the former Spuyten Duyval and Cottonwood Creek golf courses to wetlands came one step closer to fruition with the park board’s approval of a contract with Geddis Paving and Excavating of Toledo for $629,300.
Tim Schetter, director of natural resources, said the 229-acre site secured by Western Reserve Land Conservancy in 2017 and purchased by Metroparks in 2020, will make Secor Park the third largest park in the district at 837 acres.
“It’s really exciting to review the progress we have made in the last five years,” he said during a presentation to the board.
The property was secured using funds from an Ohio EPA water restoration grant and a federal EPA Maumee Area of Concern program grant.
The funding is sufficient to cover not only the land purchase but the restoration work, he explained.
Restoration objectives are to restore habitat, improve water quality, create stormwater retention and engage visitors.
The project, expected to be complete by December 2022, entails wetland and stream earthwork, water control measures, clearing and grubbing, topsoil placement and stabilization seeding.
Mr. Schetter pointed out the former golf course is in the 100-year floodplain and work will be done to hold water on the property and filter runoff to protect the watershed and ultimately Lake Erie.
He noted there have been problems with flooding of Central Avenue during heavy rainstorms and said construction will include a two-to three-foot mound along Central avenue to keep water on park property.
Some work has already begun. “We’ve reforested about 22 acres and have about 15 yet to do,” he said, adding they will restore 80 acres to savanna and prairie and 55 acres to wet prairie and sedge meadow.
To save on costs, Metroparks will use in-house seeds from its Blue Creek Nursery in Whitehouse for prairie restoration.
Plans also call for 1.7 miles of trails. “These will be mowed paths, on-grade and similar to those at Side Cut park,” he said.
Board president Scott Savage commended Mr. Schetter and park staff on their work.
“It’s remarkable to me that you are doing this much work with zero local taxpayer dollars. This is a massive undertaking, and a really exciting project,” he said.
Glass City
Much anticipated construction of the second phase of the park on Toledo’s east side is about to get underway.
The park board entered into a contract with the SmithGroup to provide construction administration professional services at a cost of $806,085.
The work includes bidding assistance, construction administration and as-built drawing preparation.
The commissioners also amended a contract with the Lathrop Company for construction manager-at-risk services.
The company has completed project plans and specifications, developing a final cost estimate at a guaranteed maximum price of $18.8 million.
Scope of the work in this phase of park development entails construction of an ice ribbon and ice bar; water play features including a mini Maumee and headwaters; Market Hall building; ice support building; associated utilities, and asphalt paving.
“This certainly makes it real,” said Mr. Savage. “I’m excited to see this play out.”
Despite challenges with material shortages, Emily Ziegler, chief of planning and capital projects, noted that “for the most part, this project is running on budget.”
Swan Creek
Plans for the creation of a 10-foot wide, shared use connector trail through the Airport Highway park were approved.
Park commissioners contracted with Great Lakes Demolition Company of Vickery, Ohio, to perform the work at a cost not to exceed $2.16 million.
The company will create 2,100 feet of aggregate path, 5,600 feet of asphalt and 580 feet of boardwalk that includes an overlook, two steel truss bridges over Swan Creek, piling foundations, railings and concrete abutments.
General construction also includes clearing and grubbing; erosion control, and storm drainage, explained Jon Zvanovec, Metroparks project manager.
He noted that the park district will be reimbursed for 80 percent of the cost up to $1.94 million from a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant administered through Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.
The City of Toledo will reimburse the park district $171,225 for portions of work performed along Byrne Road, Mr. Zvanovec explained.
The city also is loaning Metroparks its engineer for the project, said Ms. Ziegler. “That’s a significant cost savings.”
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners:
•Approved the purchase of 9.32 acres at 119 and 135 South Eber Road from the estate of Ollie V. Carter for $56,100.
“Ecologically, it is really important for us to acquire,” said Mr. Schetter.
The acreage is adjacent to 81 acres previously acquired by Metroparks and consists of high quality natural areas and a former residence.
Mr. Schetter said a $76,743 grant will be used to pay for acquisition and initial restoration costs.
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of community development, to submit a grant application to the TMACOG for $822,400 through the Transportation Alternatives Program.
TAP grants provide up to 80 percent of the project cost with the applicant responsible for a cash match of 20 percent, Mr. Gallant explained.
The funds would be used for three sections of the Wabash Cannonball Trail north fork–4.77 miles from State Route 295 to Waterville-Monclova Road, 1.72 miles between Waterville-Monclova and Jerome roads and 2.99 miles from Fulton-Lucas Road to Route 295.
•Purchased 0.55 acres at 0 Front Street in the Marina District of Toledo for $200,000.
“The parcel features an unheated building which will be utilized as part of a planned maintenance facility at Glass City park” Mr. Schetter said, adding, “It provides an important buffer between the planned enrichment center at Glass City Metropark and other adjacent properties.”
•Agreed to sell ODOT a permanent highway easement on 0.311 acres and provide a temporary easement on 0.006 acres at Wildwood Preserve to ODOT for a Central Avenue project.
In exchange, ODOT will pay $4,000 to Metroparks and transfer a 0.068-acre parcel to Metroparks.
•Paid bills for June totaling $1.91 million.
