Upgrades are in the works for two parks in Perrysburg Township.
Bidding opened Monday for a new driveway and parking lot at Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve and planning is under way for a children’s play area at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve.
The $200,000 parking lot project is the first phase of development for Sawyer Quarry, the township’s newest park.
The park, owned and operated by the Wood County Park District, isn’t open to the public. But it is used for park programs and events, including rappelling. Neil Munger, park district director, said the current setup doesn’t allow for easy access.
“Right now, there’s a one lane road there, so it’s been impossible to have it open,” Mr. Munger said. “We hope to have the parking lot done by the end of July, then, we’ll be opening [the park] more, but still on a limited basis.”
The family of Charles Sawyer donated the 61-acre tract to the Wood County Park District last year. The land is just north of and across the road from the township offices on Lime City Road.
The next phase of the park’s development will include walking and hiking trails, and other recreational activities.
“We’re very limited in what we can do because there are conservation easements on the property,” Mr. Munger said.
The children’s play area at Knight Nature Preserve will take on a nature theme to go along with the hiking trails, boardwalks, and other natural areas of the 44-acre property on White Road near East River Road in the township.
“It’s not swings and climbers,” Mr. Munger said of the proposed playground. “It’s logs and rocks, and different natural things for kids to play on.”
There is no timeline or budget for the project, which Mr. Munger said mirrors a growing national trend.
“A number of different parks districts have done this and it’s something we’re trying for the first time.”
Gary Britten, Perrysburg Township trustee, said the developments are a much needed improvement for the township.
“When we did our comprehensive plan five or six years ago, that’s one of the things that came out of it,” he said. “People wanted more parks and recreation opportunities.
“For the Sawyers to donate that property and the park district to follow up and develop it, and [for] the improvements at the Knight Preserve, it’s a win for the township.”
Contact RoNeisha Mullen at: rmullen@theblade.com, 419-343-3299.
First Published April 28, 2015, 5:35 a.m.
