Posted May 23, 200619 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060522/NEWS08/605220326/-1/NEWS -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article published May 22, 2006 Greenways plan aims for linkup of nature areas By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER Area residents today can learn more about a loosely defined, yet highly ambitious, effort to link northwest Ohio's recreational parks, wildlife corridors, historic sites, cultural centers, and education facilities together like an emerald necklace. More at link above:
May 23, 200619 yr Then you'll really like this news.... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/NEWS16/605230353/-1/NEWS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article published May 23, 2006 Metroparks acquire 28 acres that overlook river in Toledo By ERICA BLAKE BLADE STAFF WRITER Toledo Area Metroparks officials have eyed the banks of the Maumee River for years, looking for a place to turn vacant space into recreational land. Yesterday the Metroparks board agreed to purchase 28 acres of land just south of the Anthony Wayne Bridge and east of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Plaza with hopes of turning it into Toledo's first riverfront Metropark. Using a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parks bought the land from the Samuel Geraldo Trust for $1.25 million. Read more at above link:
June 24, 200618 yr Land purchases to extend Oak Openings corridor Toledo Blade, 6/22/06 The Toledo Area Metroparks continued its efforts to preserve land along the Oak Openings corridor in western Lucas County when board members authorized the purchase of about 32 acres yesterday. The land was purchased with funds from a levy approved by voters in 2003, but most of the cost of the land will be reimbursed through various grants, Scott Carpenter, a Metroparks spokesman, said. Since voters approved the levy, more than 1,500 acres of undeveloped land have been purchased and preserved by the Metroparks. Included in yesterday's approved purchases: 19.3 acres at 555 Degenfelder Lane in Harding Township for $154,000, of which 100 percent of the purchase price is being reimbursed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Water Resource Restoration Sponsor program. 2.5 acres at 160 South Irwin Rd. in Spencer Township for $20,000, of which about 59 percent will be reimbursed through the Clean Ohio Fund. 9.9 acres at 10142 and 10184 Frankfort Rd. in Spencer Township for $80,000, of which 100 percent of the purchase price is being reimbursed by the Ohio EPA's Water Resource Restoration Sponsor program.
August 20, 200618 yr Park system takes steps to develop Pearson land Toledo Blade, 8/3/06 Four years after purchasing undeveloped land adjacent to Pearson Metropark in Oregon, officials are finally taking steps to use it. Oregon City Council recently decided to change the zoning on 306 acres of land north of Starr Avenue in Pearson Metropark from agricultural to park land. The zoning had to be changed so Metroparks officials can start enhancing the area with historical artifacts - including an old cabin - dating to the time before the first settlers moved into the Great Black Swamp, said Russ Schifferly, project manager with the Metroparks' planning and construction department. "We really haven't done anything to the property up until this point," he said. "This will be the first. We're really excited to develop it as park land."
August 22, 200618 yr Footbridge at Fallen Timbers opens today Toledo Blade, 8/19/06 A dedication ceremony formally opening the $1.1 million footbridge over U.S. 24 near the Fallen Timbers Battlefield will be held at 11 a.m. today at the bridge. The bridge, under construction since last year, will connect the Fallen Timbers Monument south of the highway with the Fallen Timbers Battlefield to the north. It will also link Side Cut Metropark with the Wabash Cannonball Bike Trail, which runs through Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. More than half of the structure's cost has been paid for with funds raised by the Toledo Area Metroparks. The dedication will occur on the eve of the 212th anniversary of the Battle of Fallen Timbers, in which U.S. forces led by Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne defeated a confederation of Native American tribes, thus opening the Northwest Territories to American settlement. At 7:30 p.m., the metroparks district will offer a free presentation involving historical re-enactors who will explain the battle's role in American frontier history. The event will be held at the Fallen Timbers Monument near the new bridge's south end.
August 24, 200618 yr MOBILE HOME Toledo Blade, 8/23/06 A two-story log cabin is hauled down Lallendorf Road from the Johlin family farm on Corduroy Road in Oregon to the 300-acre addition of Pearson Metropark, where it will be the centerpiece of a planned historical area. A new foundation is expected to be built for the 139-year-old cabin, which was donated to the Metroparks by Fred Johlin of Woodville. Photo of Log Cabin being moved
August 25, 200618 yr Lamposts to light paths at Wildwood Toledo Blade, 8/25/06 Using decorative lampposts that formerly illuminated the streets of Ottawa Hills, Toledo Area Metroparks officials are lighting the paths at Wildwood Preserve Metropark. The lighting project is under way at the park, and a restroom renovation project will begin later this month, both paid for from a fund established with a $1 million gift from Richard "Bud" Yudkin, who died in 2004 and was a frequent visitor to the Central Avenue park. The lights are being installed around parking lots, walkways, and the Visitor Center. Metroparks purchased and refurbished 37 lampposts from the village to use in the lighting project. Helm and Associates of Maumee is installing 43 lights at a cost of $118,000. Some of the cost will be offset by the sale of memorial and honorarium plaques that will be sold at a cost of $800 each beginning Sept. 1.
September 5, 200618 yr Metroparks board buys acreage in Swanton Township Toledo Blade, 8/23/06 The Toledo Area Metroparks board yesterday approved buying 52.1 acres of land, southwest of Oak Openings Preserve Metropark in Swanton Township. The land, including a home, is being bought from Donald Siveous for $415,000. Located at 6215 Fulton-Lucas Rd., about 30 acres of the land is farmed. The property also fronts Waterville-Swanton Road. The property has rare oak savanna and wet prairie habitats, which are high priorities in the Metroparks’ Oak Openings restoration project. Lucas County voters approved a land-acquisition levy in 2003 that has allowed the Metroparks to buy more than 1,500 acres for preservation and recreation.
October 21, 200618 yr Meetings to spotlight future of Swan Creek, Secor metroparks Toledo Blade, 10/21/06 Residents interested in the future of two of the area's metroparks are invited to offer input on design alternatives at two upcoming meetings. Open-house meetings will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., with presentations at 5 and 7 p.m., at the following metroparks: • Review alternatives for Swan Creek Preserve Metropark at the Yager Center, Airport Highway entrance on Monday. • Hear more about Secor Metropark, on Central Avenue, 6 miles west of I-475/US23. The meeting will be held Oct. 30 in the Nature Photography Center. General Management Plans guide the management and capital improvements at each of the 12 metroparks. The plans are updated occasionally.
December 13, 200618 yr From the 12/11/06 Toledo Blade: PHOTO: Earth-moving equipment works in the park’s northern end. ( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY ) MAP PHOTO: Metroparks representative John Jaeger points to the boundaries of the land that will become wetlands in Pearson Park. ( THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY ) Pearson Park steps into the future Development begins on wetlands area By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER For now, it’s 306 acres of flat nothing. But the frozen land that bulldozers are pushing around for another week or two at Starr Avenue and Lallendorf Road in Oregon will begin to take shape next year as the northern half of Pearson Metropark. It’s a project John Jaeger, Toledo Area Metroparks natural resources director, said will take years, if not decades, to unfold. Mr. Jaeger is excited about the expansion for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it’ll double the acreage of one of the region’s most popular parks. He said 58,000 trees will be planted — a victory of sorts, given all the ash trees taken down in Pearson because of the emerald ash borer. Countless other native plants, down to cattails and sedges, are expected to emerge from land that had been tiled and drained for years. The hope is that great blue herons and other large, majestic birds, will return, along with a diverse mix of small creatures, such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and other amphibians, Mr. Jaeger said. “We’re in it for the long term. This is probably 75 to 100 years down the road,” he said of the site’s potential. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS17/61211003/-1/NEWS "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 23, 200618 yr From the 11/30/06 Blade: Parks board plans to buy 958 acres near Lake Erie Toledo Area Metroparks board members plan to buy 958 acres near Lake Erie in Jerusalem Township, which would be the largest land transaction in the park district's history. The board has secured a $6 million purchase agreement for the property known as Howard Farms, along State Rt. 2 just west of the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area in eastern Lucas County. The agreement runs for 18 months. Park officials plan to use a combination of funds, including $1.7 million secured from the Clean Ohio Fund and $1.3 million from the park district's 0.3-mill land acquisition levy approved in 2003. Board members this week approved the application for $3 million in federal funding to complete the purchase. Scott Carpenter, metroparks spokesman, said the board, which has been granted federal funding for other projects, should learn by spring whether the federal money is available this time. More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS17/611300347/-1/NEWS
June 26, 200717 yr Pearson plans taking shape for metropark's historic area Toledo Blade, 6/14/07 Plans for the historic area on the northeast end of Pearson Metropark are under way, but not yet finalized. Five design choices for the historic area were presented last week in conjunction with the Friends of Pearson meeting at the park's Packer-Hammersmith Center. About 25 residents who attended the meeting were encouraged to give their opinions about alternatives presented by Russ Schifferly, project manager with the Metroparks' planning and construction department. So far, the historical area of the park, near Seaman and Wynn roads on the property's northeast corner, consists of a log cabin built in 1867.
July 15, 200717 yr Pearson park expansion proposals coalesce around 1867 log cabin Toledo Blade, 6/28/07 Plans for the northern half of Pearson Metropark are starting to move from paper to reality. A 140-year-old log cabin is to be the centerpiece of its upcoming historic interpretation and preservation area near Seaman and Wynn roads. The 1867 cabin is intact. It was donated by Woodville resident Fred Johlin. Work is being done to restore it to its original, rustic look, said Russ Schifferly, Toledo Area Metroparks' project manager. The first 27,000 of 58,000 trees for the site's forested wetland project were planted in early April. The remaining 31,000 will be planted in late fall.
January 27, 200916 yr Article published January 22, 2009 Metroparks acquire more land Oak Openings parcels in Fulton, Lucas counties By TOM HENRY BLADE STAFF WRITER Two more parcels in the Oak Openings region are being acquired by Metroparks of the Toledo Area, furthering the regional park district's holding of land. The three-member Metroparks board yesterday authorized the purchase of 20.5 acres in eastern Fulton County's Swancreek Township for $170,000 and three acres in western Lucas County's Spencer Township for $30,000. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090122/NEWS16/901220367
October 5, 201014 yr Metroparks of Toledo Area presents plan for former South Toledo farm Article published September 27, 2010 BLADE STAFF A general management plan for the former Keil farm in South Toledo, much of which is now owned by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, was presented to the public Monday night during an open house at the Reynolds Corner Branch Library. The open house that was held as the metroparks seeks additional public comments about development of the new park at Reynolds Road and Hill Avenue. Residents raised some questions and offered suggestions. So far, the strongest comment for the farm’s future is tied to the farm’s past: preserving and promoting the farm’s agricultural connection is a key component of the general management plan drawn up following months of committee meetings. In the coming weeks, the general management plan will be presented to the metroparks’ board for consideration. Full article: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100927/NEWS16/100929663
April 25, 201213 yr Metropark plans advance downtown BY TONY COOK, BLADE STAFF WRITER Published: 4/24/2012 Three years from now, Toledo's downtown riverfront could look very different. Instead of a vacant steam plant, a fenced-off plot of grass, and a former railroad dumping ground, it could have a YMCA branch, new apartments, a city park with a fountain and concert stage, and downtown's first Metropark, stretching for half a mile along the southern riverbank. Those developments -- long the pipe dream of Toledo city leaders -- are closer to becoming a reality thanks to several recent announcements. First, Mayor Mike Bell received city council approval in March to borrow $2.2 million to renovate Promenade Park. Initial improvements would include landscaping and the removal of a road that divides the site, but plans ultimately call for a stage and a water feature as well. Then, late last week, developer David Ball announced plans to convert the long-vacant Toledo Edison steam plant into a YMCA fitness center, a University of Toledo Medical Center health clinic, and 67 market-rate apartments. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/04/24/Metropark-plans-advance-downtown.html
August 7, 20168 yr http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2016/08/04/Metroparks-to-add-mountain-bike-trail-at-Oak-Openings.html Metroparks to add mountain bike trail at Oak openings
July 22, 20195 yr https://www.perrysburg.com/point-and-shoreland-journal-news/howard-marsh-park-recognized-national-conservation-award Howard Marsh Park recognized with national conservation award
December 18, 20195 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2019/12/18/funding-released-for-new-manhattan-marsh-preserve-metropark/stories/20191218110 Funding releases for new Manhattan Marsh preserve metropark
December 29, 20195 yr https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Construction-begins-on-new-Glass-City-Metropark-566543151.html Construction begins on new Glas City Metropark
January 23, 20205 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2020/01/22/The-ultimate-in-glamping-Cozy-Cannaley-Treehouse-Village-opens-in-May-begins-rentals-in-July/stories/20200122119 Cozy Cannaley Treehouse Village opens in May, begins rentals in July (Oak Openings)
February 20, 20205 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2020/02/19/Metroparks-board-ratifies-deal-to-expand-Secor-Metropark-by-226-acres/stories/20200219108 Metro parks board ratifies deal to expand Secor Metropark by 226 acres
April 11, 20205 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2020/04/10/east-toledo-international-park-could-become-newest-metropark/stories/20200411024 East Toledo International Park could become newest Metro Park
April 11, 20205 yr https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Metroparks-plans-to-build-up-East-Maumee-Riverfront-569561891.html Metroparks plans to build up East Maumee River waterfront
April 12, 20205 yr Here's a link to a larger version of that master plan. https://metroparkstoledo.com/media/3722/master-plan.pdf The plan does not include the completed Middlegrounds Metropark, just upriver from the Anthony Wayne Bridge on the west side of the Maumee.
April 22, 20205 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2020/04/22/Glass-City-Metropark-International-Park-to-be-blended-into-one-big-downtown-riverfront-project/stories/20200422081 Glass City Metropark, International Park to be blended into one big downtown riverfront project
April 23, 20205 yr I am so excited to see this project completed...there's a lot of planned investment in parks and bicycle trails that hopefully won't be interrupted. This park will become a destination for the region; I'm hopeful for an agreement for Toledo Metroparks -- largely a county organization until about five years ago - to manage a few of the larger city parks that are in need of investment and improvements. Edited April 23, 20205 yr by westerninterloper
May 14, 20205 yr https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Despite-delays-progress-continues-at-Cannaley-Treehouse-Village-570444121.html Despite delays, progress continues at Cannaley Treehouse village
May 21, 20205 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2020/05/20/collective-effort-under-way-to-build-major-riverwalk/stories/20200520096 Collective effort underway to build major riverwalk
November 11, 20204 yr Metroparks Toledo is named America's No. 1 park district for 2020 among large cities "Lest there be any confusion, Metroparks Toledo is America’s No. 1 large-city park district for 2020. That might not have been entirely clear to everyone when a group with a long name — the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration — in partnership with another group with a name nearly as long — the National Recreation and Park Association — issued a news release Tuesday night which listed the recipients of their 2020 National Gold Medal Grand Plaque Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management." https://www.toledoblade.com/community-events/2020/10/29/metroparks-toledo-named-top-park-district-for-2020-among-large-cities
November 11, 20204 yr Toledo voters approved a new tax levy to support Metroparks Toledo, and complete the Glass City Metropark in Marina District in East Toledo. Returns show Toledoans in favor of income tax renewal, increase "Another issue on the ballot was a 10-year, 2-mill levy for Metroparks Toledo. About 61 percent of votes tallied were in favor of the new tax, on the ballot as Issue 17. "It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $70 more in taxes per year. It is earmarked for developing, maintaining, and operating the park district, as well as conservation and acquisition of parkland. "Metroparks officials said the levy will match state and federal grants underwriting development of the proposed Glass City Riverwalk, a $200 million, 3-mile multi-use path along the Maumee River designed to help connect parks, neighborhoods, and businesses on both sides of the water." https://www.toledoblade.com/politics/2020/11/03/levies-tax-increase-toledo-lucas-county-2020-election Edited November 11, 20204 yr by westerninterloper
April 9, 20214 yr https://www.toledoblade.com/local/city/2021/04/08/glass-city-metropark-in-marina-district-moves-into-phase-two/stories/20210408136 Glass City Metropark in Marina District moves into phase two NICHOLAS PIOTROWICZ The Blade, 4.8.2021 [email protected] Metroparks Toledo’s plans for the second phase of Glass City Metropark on East Toledo’s waterfront received a preliminary endorsement Thursday from the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission. Glass City’s second phase features its Market Hall, an ice-skating rink with a support building, picnic shelters, additional restrooms, and cabanas. Its construction would follow the December opening of Phase 1, which included extensive landscaping and a park pavilion. ... "They're doing a lot of really interesting and fun features at the park," Mrs. Reising said. "They're including, for example, an ice ribbon for ice skating and doing a lot of interactive play areas, water features for kids to play in, and there will be aquatic plantings along the Maumee River and lots of scenic views.
October 5, 20231 yr Metroparks Toledo adds three new properties to Oak Openings corridor https://www.13abc.com/2023/10/04/metroparks-toledo-adds-three-new-properties-oak-openings-corridor/
October 5, 20231 yr Thank you @FrankRizzo for keeping tabs on NW Ohio projects. I truly appreciate it! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 18, 20231 yr Part of Blue Creek Metro Park expected to become 145th State nature preserve https://www.toledoblade.com/local/environment/2023/11/15/blue-creek-metropark-to-be-part-of-ohio-145th-state-preserve/stories/20231115101
Create an account or sign in to comment