In fall 2022, visitors to Brookwood Metropark on Swan Creek Drive in Toledo will be treated to a new sight courtesy of Fran and Dick Anderson.
At the November 17 meeting, the Metroparks board of commissioners approved construction of a new suspension bridge.
The bridge, which will cross Swan Creek and connect the Brookwood area with acreage donated by Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, will be constructed by the Dotson Company of Whitehouse for $345,805.
A 90-foot span, it will feature a timber observation tower on the west end that overlooks the Swan Creek floodplain. The bridge will be connected by an aggregate path leading to the Brookwood house.
Dave Zenk, park director, noted the observation tower pays homage to a treehouse that used to be in the area by a small bridge. “The tower mimics the original treehouse. I hope you will be proud of what’s going to happen,” he said.
“This is a humbling day for me,” said Scott Savage, park board president. He recalled growing up with nieces and nephews of the Andersons and visiting them frequently. “This is a special place for me. The Andersons are a special family, and this is a real honor.”
Mr. Savage believes the Andersons exemplify what it means to “pay it forward,” helping others, and in more recent years, donating a portion of the land to Metroparks. “This will be a great place for everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we are certainly grateful to the Andersons for that.”
The board was unanimous in naming the span after the couple, the “Fran and Dick Anderson Bridge.”
Speaking on behalf of her late husband, Mrs. Anderson expressed her appreciation. “Thank you to the Metroparks and all the people involved. Dick is up in heaven, looking down and sees what is being done.”
She looks forward to completion of the project next September. “I can’t wait to cross the bridge,” she said.
Departing Staff
The park commissioners recognized two departing employees for their longtime service.
Joe Fausnaugh, director of special projects, and Emily Ziegler, chief of planning and capital projects, are leaving for other positions.
“I love everybody who works at our parks. Working together brings out the best in all of us,” Mr. Savage said.
But the success of Metroparks and its employees attracts other parks and recreation organizations, he added.
“Other parks seek our talent, and we have two people today who are taking their talents elsewhere.”
Mr. Fausnaugh, who has been with the park district for 20 years, is retiring from Metroparks, but joining the City of Toledo, where he will lead the parks and services department.
“Joe has held many positions here over the years. He has a real passion for making the parks accessible to everyone,” Mr. Savage noted.
The park board president presented a plaque to Mr. Fausnaugh with his rangers’ badge on it. For a number of years, he had served as chief of rangers/operations, Mr. Savage pointed out.
Mr. Fausnaugh thanked the board for the recognition, noting he originally had not thought about leaving until he was approached by Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz to lead the city department.
“After seeing their vision, that really got to me. I want parks to change peoples’ lives for the better,” Mr. Fausnaugh explained.
“My goal is to make city parks a partner with Metroparks,” he said, adding he knows it will be a big change, “but I hope I’m up to the challenge.”
While Mr. Fausnaugh will remain in the area, the same cannot be said for Ms. Ziegler who will be relocating to the Rocky Mountain state.
Mr. Savage said the leaders at Denver’s parks and recreation tapped her to be the manager of park design.
A 15-year veteran of Metroparks, Ms. Ziegler has played an integral role in major projects including the Canalley Village treehouses.
“The people of Denver sure are lucky to have you join their team and bring that magic,” Mr. Savage said. “To say you will be missed is the biggest understatement I’ve made in my life.”
He added, “We are happy for you and your family and the opportunity Denver presents.”
Commissioner Lera Doneghy agreed, “You had a zest for wanting to make Metroparks the best it can be.”
Added Commissioner Fritz Byers, “It’s impossible to overstate what you have accomplished for us. It’s hard to understand how one person could make such diverse contributions to the community.”
In addition to treehouse village, Ms. Ziegler has been instrumental in the development of Glass City, Manhattan Marsh, Howard Marsh and Middlegrounds parks.
“I’m leaving with mixed emotions,” Ms. Ziegler said, noting she will “miss the Metroparks family she has had for 15 years. I want to thank everyone for their support.”
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners:
•Contracted with Helms and Sons Excavating of Findlay for miscellaneous trail paving at a cost not to exceed $193,382.
Jon Zvanovec, project manager, said Metroparks received four bids and “they were all pretty tight.”
Trails and drives to be resurfaced are at Farnsworth, Oak Openings, Swan Creek and Wildwood parks. The work is slated for completion by June 1, 2022.
•Amended a contract for professional services at Howard Marsh to reflect an increase in the cost. The new amount to be paid to Hull and Associates is $240,500–an increase of $45,500.
Mr. Zvanovec said a number of unforeseen issues arose including weather delays and delays in fabrication and delivery of items related to the wetland pump and pump structure.
Because the project’s deadline date of December has now been moved to February, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is requiring a winterization plan, resulting in additional work beyond the original scope, he added.
•Approved a final contract amendment for Glass City Metropark’s second phase of development at a cost not to exceed $31.9 million. The project is slated for completion by January 20, 2023.
•Entered into a lease agreement for $1 annually with the Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation to operate athletic fields and recreational facilities at Blue Creek Metropark in Whitehouse.
“This is part of a longterm relationship that we have nurtured over the years,” said Nate Ramsey, chief operations officer.
“This is very well done,” said Commissioner Byers. “I know there was a lot that went into this.”
AWYF has been leasing the northern portion of Blue Creek since 2006, but the lease was with the Village of Whitehouse.
•Increased the purchase order for fuel from Wright Express Fleet Services to $135,000 through the end of 2021, due a rise in gas prices.
•Approved the estimated revenues for 2022 at $80.56 million. They also approved 2022 annual appropriations of $61.3 million.
“This is double what it was when I arrived,” said Matt Cleland, chief financial officer. “It is clearly evident of all that is happening.”
•Authorized Allen Gallant, director of community development, to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Assistance Grant for $150,000.
The one-to-one match grant would be for planning of the Vistula neighborhood portion of Glass City Riverwalk.
•Paid bills for October totaling $3.72 million.
The next meeting of the park board will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 15, at Ward Pavilion, Wildwood Preserve, 5100 Central Avenue, Toledo, and is open to the public.
