GetConnected! Metroparks of the Toledo Area 2010 Annual Report Weathering the Storm

une 5, 2010 was a night northwest brook Camp, but rangers warned park neighbors and visitors for their JOhioans will long remember. them to leave before a second storm work, support, understanding and arrived. It was also fortunate that patience during this lengthy and Tornadoes tore through the area, most of the guests at a wedding difficult project. causing the deaths of seven people, reception at Oak Openings Lodge had leaving numerous families without already gone for the evening before The same can be said about other homes and one community without its the tornado arrived. There were no aspects of the park system. Despite high school. injuries, but fallen trees had to be economic challenges that continue to cleared before the last of the guests face our region, Metroparks remains It was memorable, too, for the way could leave the parking lot. focused and dedicated to providing the community came together to help the residents of Lucas County with a those impacted in northern Wood After the storm, the work began. Our high-quality clean, safe, natural area County and western Lucas County. crews were there first thing the next park system. morning to begin removing debris. The storm’s effects on Metroparks pale Through tough times – and even in comparison to those devastating Our land management staff, which tornadoes - the Metroparks commu- losses, but the tornado left a scar on was already dealing with the fallout nity pulls through because of a shared the park system, too. of emerald ash borer, had the difficult desire to protect the natural treasures task of overseeing a massive removal entrusted to our agency for future Oak Openings Preserve – the largest of thousands of dead or severely generations to enjoy. Metropark by far – was in the path of damaged trees. the storm. The next morning, most Regards, visitors would barely recognize parts In December – six months after the of the preserve, where thousands of tornado – staff and volunteers finished trees were uprooted or sheared off, clearing debris from the region’s only limbs were strewn across a 150-acre dedicated cross-country ski trail, just area, and debris was heaped on roads one day before the first significant and trails. snowfall of the season! Donald R. Rettig Jr. Fortunately, there were no scouts I want to thank the Oak Openings Director camping at the Scout Camp, which staff, the members of our Land was destroyed by the tornado. There Management and Operations were scouts camping at the Spring- Departments, our amazing volunteers,

Members of the Land Management crew: Tim Gallaher, Penny Wagner, LaRae Sprow, Steve Leffel, Jason Diver, Kyle Robison, Mike Ohlrich and Dave Disbrow. Land Management Land management refers to steward- ship of the land, such as restoring natural areas by removing invasive, non-native plant species, and planting native varieties when appropriate. It also involves other techniques, such as prescribed fires, to maintain habi- tats that have deteriorated because natural processes have been inter- rupted by manmade factors.

The big story in land management in 2010 had to do with safety. Tim Schetter, land management and acquisition manager, explores one of the Safety of park visitors was the primary properties in the Oak Openings Corridor, a major focus of the park district’s concern after the spring tornado at acquisition effort. Oak Openings (see introduction). Connecting With The Land • Two acres adjacent to the Fallen Tim- Safety is also the focus of an ongo- bers Battlefield on Jerome Road. ing emerald ash borer project begun Land Acquisition in January 2010 with funding from a Metroparks grew by 171 acres in 2010. Closing In On 11,000 Acres $1.3 million American Recovery and Most of the land acquired was within Since the passage of a 10-year, 0.3- Reinvestment Act grant. The emerald the , where a mill land levy in 2002, the park district ash borer is an Asian beetle that has greenway corridor between Secor and has added 3,108 acres. Total land infested most of , killing all spe- Oak Openings Preserve is more than holdings (owned, leased or managed cies of ash. Tens of thousands of dead 85 percent complete. by agreement) were 10,953 acres as ash trees throughout the Metroparks of December 31, 2010. Following are are now dying, and those within 100 In 2010 Metroparks acquired: total acres acquired by focus area. feet of trails, roads and buildings pose Numbers in parentheses represent a potential hazard to people or prop- • 143 acres of Oak Openings habitat Metroparks original acreage targets. erty. These “hazard trees” are being using more than $1 million from the removed at all the parks, particularly Clean Ohio Fund. Zone Total Pearson and Oak Openings. Oak Openings Corridor (1800) 1724 • A 16-acre restored wetland trans- Lake Erie Coastal Zone Area (1600) 987 Another phase of the ARRA project ferred from the Ohio Department of Corridor/ will involve planting thousands of tree Natural Resources. Fallen Timbers (350) 69 seedlings and research that will be / useful to other areas of the country • 10 acres of wet prairie and swamp Ten Mile Creek Corridor (250) 0 as the destructive beetles continue to forest habitat purchased with $80,500 Swan Creek Corridor/ spread. from the Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Westside Corridor (200) 5 Restoration Sponsor Program in col- Other: Nona France, Keil Farm (300) 323 laboration with the City of Toledo. Total (4500) 3108

Total Revenues $19,019,564 Total Expenditures $15,390,572

Taxes Intergovernmental Fines and Forfeitures Charges for Services Sales Donations Salaries Fringe Benefits Materials & Supplies Utilities Fees (Memberships) Interest Income All Other Revenue Contract Services Contingencies Other Capital Outlay Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections. Connecting With The Meet Our VIPs Community olunteers In Parks was formed in 1998 as an outgrowth of Citizens For VMetroparks, the group that helped pass the levy to purchase the Stra- Programs And Special Events nahan estate (now Wildwood Preserve) in 1974. Since then, VIPs have been Providing a positive visitor experience involved in a variety of fundraising activities for Metroparks. ranks highly with members of the community and park users. Providing Over the last 12 years, the VIPs have raised over $50,000! These funds have free school outreach programs and been used to purchase everything from trees to portable sound systems, and visitor education in the form of nature binoculars to bicycles for park rangers and maintenance staff. While most of walks and nature education for kids the VIP’s fundraising activities are at Wildwood, their support is not limited also are priorities with those surveyed. to one park. A recent example of their contributions is the colorful banners in These data, collected through tele- the parking lots at several Metroparks. phone, in-person and online surveys, represent program user interests. Volunteers In Parks principal fundraisers are pancake breakfasts in June and September at Wildwood, and the Holiday Café and Craft Show during Holi- A major emphasis in recent years days in the Manor House. has been a series of summer camps, including Nature Camp. Weeks were expanded in 2010 to include more age groups. Additional camps targeting age groups and special interests have been added for 2011.

The National Center for Nature Pho- tography at Secor, which marked its fifth anniversary in 2010, is growing in popularity with well-attended gallery exhibits and opening receptions, and capacity attendance at workshops. The Center has also reached into the community with special exhibits at venues such as Main Branch Library in downtown Toledo and The Andersons corporate offices in Maumee. The Center continues as a gallery and will also be used as a unique public rental venue for special receptions, exhibits Volunteers In Parks President Bill Leddy and Secretary Penny Reder. and small parties. gave over 2,700 hours of their time around the parks gaining real world The Canal Experience at Providence to the Holidays in the Manor House experience while giving back to the had 13,300 visitors in 2009. The event alone, an increase over last community. historical attraction takes visitors back year. to 1876 when canal boats were an im- Friends of Pearson, Side Cut, Secor portant form of transportation. Ticket Volunteer Trail Patrol hours also con- and the Lathrop House continued to sales for the boat generated $58,000 tinue to increase. These dedicated make significant contributions to their to help offset the cost of operating volunteers who walk the trails and as- areas of interest, including financial the historical attraction. The new canal sist park visitors contributed just over and in-kind donations as well as advo- season started strong in 2010 with 10,000 hours, a new record! cacy for the parks and projects. Vol- 2,270 reservations in May, including unteers in Parks make contributions 1,800 children. The year also saw increases in the in support of projects and supplies number of volunteer hours in support requested by the staff. Volunteers of nature education, including Walk More than 43,000 volunteer hours Leaders and Program Assistants, as Members of the Volunteer Trail Patrol helped keep the Metroparks clean, well as species monitors, including began performing trail audits through- safe and natural in 2010. Volunteers the Breeding Raptor Program led by out the park district in the second included individuals and families; volunteer Steve Lauer. half of 2010. They contributed 102 organizations such as KeyBank; and hours, walking trails and sharing their schools such as St. Ursula Academy, Another category of volunteers observations with the maintenance Maumee Valley Country Day School is made up of students from area staff to help improve the trails for park and the Knight Academy. Volunteers universities who can be seen in and visitors.

Communications which is considered exceptional by Stranahan Foundation: Stranahan The expanding role of social media in industry standards. is a name that is inseparable from the field of communications has been Metroparks history. A recent, large a boon to Metroparks. On Facebook, Money raised from Memberships gift from the foundation paid for a more than 11,000 people now follow fund a wide variety of projects. In new heating, ventilation and air-condi- the park district, using the website to 2010, $50,000 in members grants was tioning system at the Manor House, receive daily notifications about pro- awarded to projects identified by staff, which was once a Stranahan family grams and highlights in nature, post- including $10,000 toward the develop- estate. ing their own comments and photos, ment of the new sledding hill at Side asking questions and interacting with Cut. Other projects included life jack- Edward Lamb Foundation: Me- other Metroparks fans. Metroparks- ets for the canal boat at Providence, troparks received a significant gift to Toledo.com, launched in late 2009, walking bridge replacements at Oak support a new interpretive historical has been updated to include new Openings, a photography exhibit at sign project at . social media tools that make it easier Secor, hand dryers and safety lighting The project will feature a new inter- than ever to share and comment on at Wildwood and more. pretive, self-guided tour through visual content. and audio devices located throughout Foundation and Corporate Side Cut that will highlight both the The MyMetroparks campaign, begun Support historical significance and the natural in 2010, invites people to share their Many local foundations and business- features of this unique area. experiences in the Metroparks. Their es made generous gifts to Metroparks words, pictures and videos are col- in 2010. Their support allows the park France Stone Foundation: Me- lected at MyMetroparks.com and district to provide facilities and servic- troparks has received a number of shared on Facebook and Twitter. es above and beyond what traditional grant awards from this foundation funding would allow. over a long giving history, including In 2011, marketing will highlight the support for , The attributes of each of the Metroparks The Andersons: Metroparks has Canal Experience at Providence and to invite people to explore new parks had the very good fortune to have an most recently for the Middlegrounds and park areas they may not know ongoing relationship with one of the project. about. region’s most familiar family names – The Andersons. Annual, significant Toledo Rotary Foundation: Funded gifts from The Andersons, Inc. have by the members of the Rotary Club Connecting With The Future supported a wide variety of special of Toledo and their fundraising efforts, events, educational programs, out- this foundation provides dollars to Development reach efforts and other initiatives. support local and international proj- Development funds include mem- ects, especially programs for children bership, donations of both cash and and children’s health. in-kind services, grants, memorials, honorariums and bequests. Ranger Tyrone Tyson with Gloria and Spud Remy. The Remys are among those Metroparks Members who have taken advantage of the Ride With A Donor Connection events in 2010 Ranger benefit, available to those who join at higher levels. Spud and Gloria expanded outreach to both existing are long-time members who said they enjoyed their ride-along experience at and new Metropark supporters, creat- Oak Openings Preserve so much last year they plan to ride again this year at a ing greater awareness of park district different Metropark. fundraising needs. Quarterly member receptions, which were very success- ful in 2010, will continue in 2011.

Fundraising/Memberships Many local foundations and busi- nesses made generous gifts to Me- troparks in 2010. Their support allows the park district to provide facilities and services above and beyond what traditional funding would allow. The following examples highlight just a few of them.

Membership increased to more than 1,900. The member retention rate, including the return of more than 100 lapsed members, was 78 percent,

Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections. bequests from individuals who loved Metroparks and provided for the park district through their planned gifts.

Michael Gospodarek Prudence Lamb Trust Nayland C. Rose Trust Jane M. Rose Trust John and Virginia Hankison Foundation

Bequests are a way to leave a legacy and support the community. Please consider making Metroparks a benefi- ciary when making your estate plans.

Customer Service The Metz Visitors Center at Wild- wood got a major makeover in 2010. Restorations to the impressive former stables building include the addition of a public locker area called The Nest, a refreshed Window on Wildlife and The Wagener Sledding Hill at Side Cut could not numerous improvements to the court- have opened in a better year, with above average yard. A rear patio area and landscaping snowfall – and lots of happy sledders! It also will be completed in 2011, along with could not have opened without the creativity and improvements to the nearby trailhead. hard work of the Side Cut staff, including Bob Heckman, Tyler Lehman and Jim Shaw. Another significant change was mov- ing the Customer Service Department Carson Family Metroparks Fund: A generous donation from the Me- to the Visitors Center and expanding The Carson Family Metroparks Fund, troparks Members was used to finish open hours seasonally. The new office through the Toledo Community Foun- the sledding hill project, which opened is one-stop shopping for Metroparks dation, recently committed a signifi- in time for the start of a snowy winter. program and facility reservations. cant gift to Metroparks to further the Staff there can help customers plan restoration of the historical Ellen Bid- Tiffany Elise Staelin Fund. This fund events from family reunions to wed- dle Shipman garden at the Wildwood was established by Steve and Penny dings, as well as offering brochures Manor House. The initial phases of Staelin in memory of their daughter, and other information about all of the the project were also funded through Tiffany. The Staelins have supported parks. the Carson Family Metroparks Fund in the outside renovation of the Visitors 2008. Support from the foundation’s Center at Wildwood, including Tiffany’s The renovated Farmhouse at the east most recent gift will complete the Butterfly Garden. A recent commit- entrance to Wildwood provides anoth- project. ment of a significant gift through this er rental option, and the addition of air fund will support the renovation of conditioning at Oak Openings Lodge Alfred Wagener Foundation: Brent the trailhead area behind the Visitors is expected to increase the use of that Wagener, a son of Al, approached Me- Center. facility. In 2011, the Buehner Center troparks with the idea of doing a “little at Oak Openings will be turned into family golf outing” in memory of their BP-Husky: the BP-Husky Refinery in a rental facility, while improvements dad and to support Side Cut Me- Oregon has been a major supporter of at buildings in Pearson, Swan Creek tropark. At the time, Brent said, “We Metroparks, and Pearson Metropark and Side Cut are expected to increase don’t know how long we can do this in particular. In late 2010, the company rentals in each of these parks. or even if we would raise much mon- made a donation to renovate the Win- ey, but would Metroparks be inter- dow on Wildlife at Pearson, a project Rentals of picnic shelters exceeded ested?” Twelve years later, Side Cut that was completed in the first quarter the goal in 2010, generating nearly has a new sledding hill that opened of 2011. The donation also helped plant $183,000. Over 98 percent of renters to large and appreciative crowds this trees at Swan Creek Preserve, where said they would rent a Metroparks winter. The Wagener golf outing has trees have been lost because of the facility again. grown to become an annual event emerald ash borer. that provides thousands of dollars. By Less than two years since Metroparks agreement with the family, the funds Significant Bequests began offering the Manor House as a unique wedding venue, many couples will now be committed to support the In 2010, Metroparks was honored have chosen the 32-room mansion to new winter recreation area. to be the beneficiary of several be the site of their special day. The park district sees this as an area for Old Farmhouse Is considerable growth in coming years. New Rental Space In 2010, Manor House rentals gener- ated more than $26,000 in sales. A charming farmhouse that stands at the east entrance to Wildwood Preserve is the The Year Ahead park system’s newest rental facility. In the fall, the build- Projects scheduled for 2011 include ing, which formerly housed improvements to the Yager Center at a gift shop, was opened for Swan Creek, the Buehner Center at public use by reservation. The Oak Openings, Macomber Lodge at Farmhouse is ideal for small Pearson and the Lamb Center at Side gatherings of up to 50 people. Cut.

The Yager Center will undergo interior Bend View Shelter Has New Access and exterior renovations, including A new entrance to Bend View Metropark makes the addition of a warming kitchen. the Waterville park more accessible. Until now, Accessible restrooms will be added Bend View and its picturesque view of a 90-de- at Macomber, a popular rental facility. gree bend in the Maumee River could be reached Buehner will become a rental facility only by walking 2 miles from neighboring Farn- with a warming kitchen and new re- sworth on the Towpath Trail. It now has a separate strooms. Interior and exterior renova- entrance from the Anthony Wayne Trail, a parking tions are planned for the Lamb Center lot and a connector leading to the trail and a WPA at Side Cut, which saw improvements stone shelter, which is available for rent. in 2010 as well.

Phase II of renovations to the historic Lathrop House at Sylvania’s Harroun Park will also be under way this year. The project is funded by a state grant and Friends of the Lathrop House. Metroparks has been assisting Friends and the local community by providing project management at the historic home, which played a role in the Underground Railroad.

Other projects slated for this year include: • Road and parking lot sealing and trail maintenance, including two bridges, at various Metroparks. • Park bench, drinking fountain and picnic table replacement throughout the Metroparks. • Interior improvements to the main- Connect With Your Metroparks tenance shops at Swan Creek and Providence, and exterior work on the Enjoy them. Protect them. maintenance garage at Farnsworth. • Masonry repairs to chimneys at the Let them live forever through your Wildwood Manor House. designated or planned gift. • Renovations to the playground shelter at Pearson. Please contact us at 419-407-9716. MetroparksToledo.com

Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections. To Preserve and Protect the Natural Heritage of

Board of Commissioners Scott J. Savage, President Fritz Byers, Vice President Lera L. Doneghy, Vice President

Mission o enhance quality of life and T inspire preservation efforts in this and future generations by providing a regional system of premier natural, historical and cultural parklands maintained and operated to the highest professional standards.

Your Metroparks Each of the Metroparks offers picnic areas, playfields, trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, interpretive infor- mation and natural beauty. Each also offers something that makes it unique.

Parks: Wildwood Preserve, Sylvania Township Pearson, Oregon Partner Agencies: Swan Creek Preserve, Toledo Board, Inc. Side Cut, Maumee Nature’s Nursery Oak Openings Preserve, Swanton Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District Farnsworth, Waterville Village of Whitehouse Bend View, Waterville Providence, Grand Rapids Stay Connected Secor, Berkey All parks, administrative office, Blue Creek Conservation Area, Whitehouse reservations: 419-407-9700 Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Maumee Metroparks of the Toledo Area Affiliates & Attractions: 5100 W. Central Ave. Toledo Botanical Garden, Toledo Toledo, OH 43615 The Manor House, Wildwood Oak Grove School, Wildwood Websites: MetroparksToledo.com, The Canal Experience, Providence MetroparksPrograms.com National Center for Nature Photography, Secor Facebook: mymetroparkspage The Lathrop House, Harroun Park, Sylvania Twitter: @mymetroparks Greenway Trails: Email: webmaster@MetroparksToledo. Towpath Trail (Farnsworth to Providence) com University/Parks Trail Sign up online for our weekly e-news- letter “This Week @ Metroparks” Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.