As the second phase of development gets underway at Glass City, Metroparks Toledo commissioners granted approval of various projects.
At the August 25 meeting, the park board contracted with Bergmann Inc. of Toledo to provide contract approval, professional architecture and engineering services at the park.
Total cost of the preliminary engineering professional services is not to exceed $1.3 million, said Jon Zvanovec, Metroparks project manager. He noted that 80 percent of the cost will be paid from BUILD grant funds, “making Metroparks’ total liability $262,043.”
The preliminary work will be done between September and December and construction of the Riverwalk is expected to take place from March 2023 through June 2025, Mr. Zvanovec explained.
The commissioners also approved the purchase of customized play equipment for the prairie pollinator area at Glass City. The equipment will be purchased from Duncan and Grove for $156,364.
The playground, to be installed in-house by Metroparks staff, will feature wooden dodecahedron play forms that will blend in with the natural surroundings.
To ensure funding is available, the park commissioners authorized the issuance of bonds.
Matt Cleland, chief financial officer, explained that the construction schedule for the Glass City Riverwalk is aggressive and “has the ability to outpace the rate of collection of levy proceeds.”
To maintain the preferred construction schedule, Metroparks will issue bonds with the terms not to exceed one year. The CFO believes that “$7 million will meet our needs through February.”
Mr. Cleland noted that Metroparks has done this in the past when acquiring Wildwood.
He anticipates that when the bonds are satisfied, larger bonds will be issued for the greater portion of the Riverwalk project.
East Region Update
Chris Smalley, regional manager for the eastern parks, provided an update on activities.
He noted that the region covers Manhattan Marsh, Middlegrounds, Glass City, Pearson and Howard Marsh parks.
Crews have been busy installing benches and a visitation counter. “I love Manhattan Marsh,” he said.
At Middlegrounds, a building under the bridge was recently completed and is being used to house equipment, he said, adding that being able to store equipment there saves staff time. In the past, they would have to return to Pearson to get any additional pieces, he explained.
Mr. Smalley referred to Glass City as “the gem along the Maumee River.”
He described the first phase of development as “fantastic” and looks forward to the next stage. “I think it will knock people’s socks off.”
He pointed out the glass pavilion was booked for 28 of 30 days in June and 30 of 31 in July.
Work at Pearson included adding benches to the north loop and installing standardized traffic signs. “We are trying to create uniform signage.”
Park improvements include enhanced handicap-accessible picnic areas and renovations to the window on wildlife.
Howard Marsh, the second largest in the park system behind Oak Openings, continues to develop and is a “wetlands dynamo,” he said.
Tours continue to be strong, and the second phase of development is underway on converting more than 200 acres to wetlands.
In addition to providing an update on the parks, Mr. Smalley said the team recently developed a “Metroparks method” of cleaning and sanitizing restrooms.
A uniform method that everyone follows, he believes, is “better and faster, saving six minutes per building,” he pointed out.
“For Pearson alone that is 36 minutes per day, saving two hours per week, which allows staff to do other things,” he added.
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners:
•Approved a lease agreement with Heavy Brewing Company, a local business, which will be operating a microbrewery and coffee shop at the Beach Ridge and Treehouse Village area of Oak Openings park.
Matt Killam, chief outreach officer, said it will be called Heavy@Oaks, offering hot and cold food selections and beverages.
“This really is an exciting expansion and a new way to interact with visitors,” said Fritz Byers, park commissioner. “It’s particularly great that it is being developed next to one of our crown jewels in Oak Openings.”
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of community development, to apply for a 2022 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands grant through the National Environmental Education Foundation.
Metroparks is seeking $20,000 to cover the costs of an all-terrain hiking mobility device or track chair.
“We will partner with the Ability Center of Greater Toledo to promote and market the offering specifically to individuals with disabilities,” he explained.
The chair will allow people with disabilities to explore areas such as the sand dunes at Oak Openings, Mr. Gallant said, adding, “We’re really excited about this.”
He expects to know by October whether Metroparks will receive the grant.
•Awarded miscellaneous paving projects in the Metroparks system to Henry W. Bergman of Genoa for $311,579.
The company will be resurfacing and chip sealing select lots and drives in five Metroparks locations with the work to be complete by June 30, 2022. Those parks are Wildwood Preserve, Pearson, Howard Marsh, Side Cut and Toledo Botanical Garden.
Funding for the $194,444 project will come, in part, from ODOT, which disburses money from the state gas tax funds for park district road improvement programs.
•Paid bills for July totaling $2.78 million.
The next park board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 22, with the location yet to be determined. The meeting will be open to the public, and visitors are asked to wear a mask in keeping with COVID-19 protocols.
