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Tim Gallaher, natural resources manager of Metroparks Toledo, looks for ducks while walking around Manhattan Marsh Metropark Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Toledo.
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Metroparks Toledo Manhattan Marsh project progresses

THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH

Metroparks Toledo Manhattan Marsh project progresses

The future metropark envisioned for North Toledo’s Manhattan Marsh moved a step closer to reality Friday when Metorparks Toledo board members unanimously approved the purchase of 30 parcels totaling 21.24 acres from the Lucas County Land Bank for only $300.

The price was so low because all properties are vacant. They were acquired by the land bank through the tax foreclosure process.

The acquisitions bring park district acreage in that part of the city to 78 acres, and moves it closer to its goal of securing 90 acres to build the future metropark.

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Tim Schetter, Metroparks Toledo natural resources director, said the park district remains on schedule to open that metropark in the fall of 2019. Construction is expected to begin next spring.

“We’re still trying to determine the full scope of the project,” Mr. Schetter said.

Metroparks Toledo has set a goal of trying to have a metropark within five miles of all Lucas County residents. The one on Manhattan Marsh would be the first in North Toledo. On April 28, the park district opened Howard Marsh Metropark, the second largest in its system and the first in eastern Lucas County’s Jerusalem Township.

Toledo city councilmen recently agreed, as part of the deal, to have the city contribute $241,500 toward restoring Manhattan Marsh.

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Work in that area includes removal of several non-native trees, Mr. Schetter said.

The site is near Bassett Street, Manhattan Boulevard, and Suder Avenue. The metropark is being designed so nearby Toledo Public Schools’ Chase STEM Academy has direct access to it.

Metroparks last year received a $475,000 grant for the project from the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service. The park system will contribute $625,000 toward the project as well.

Also at Friday’s board meeting, Metroparks Toledo commissioners:

● Authorized park district officials to seek up to $100,000 in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant money to buy 4,600 trees they want planted in what is someday envisioned as the Marina District’s metropark on the east side of the Maumee River. Mr. Schetter said he expects the trees to cost about $56,000. The timeline for building and opening that park has not been finalized, he said.

● Agreed to spend $48,270 and $47,350 to have outdoor fitness equipment and a pre-manufactured recreation fitness boulder installed at the Wildwood Metropark Preserve by June 30.

● Authorized the purchase of 1.07 acres of land adjacent to the Fallen Timbers Battlefield for $148,500 and accepted a gift of 0.60 acres adjacent to Howard Marsh Metropark so the park district can directly access the main pump station.

● Agreed to spend $162,812 for six new trucks to replace aging ones operated by the parks services department.

Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com, 419-724-6079, or on Twitter @ecowriterohio.

First Published May 4, 2018, 10:40 p.m.

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Tim Gallaher, natural resources manager of Metroparks Toledo, looks for ducks while walking around Manhattan Marsh Metropark Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Toledo.  (THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH)  Buy Image
Manhattan Marsh Metropark  (THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH)  Buy Image
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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