The Metroparks Toledo Board of Park Commissioners moved forward Wednesday with placing an operating levy on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.
“These levies allow us to provide clean, safe and natural parks for all the residents of Lucas county and the increasingly large number of out-of-county visitors,” said Fritz Byers, the vice president of the Metroparks board. “Parks are for me, they are for you, they are for everyone, and to deliver on that promise to the community this levy is fundamentally necessary. We do not take the support of the community lightly or for granted.”
The 10-year levy is set to be a 0.9-mill renewal of one passed in 2012 for the Metroparks. It would cost a homeowner $24.89 per $100,000 of valuation each year. Metroparks Toledo said that the levy would potentially generate $6,857,619 annually.
Also at the meeting, which was held at Wildwood Preserve Metropark, the Arts Commission unveiled a series of public art projects they are collaborating with the Metroparks on in the community.
For Marc Folk, public art means creating a connection between artists and their environment.
“Because of its ability to build community identity, create landmarks and foster pride, when done right, public art can create a sense of belonging,” Mr. Folk, executive director of the Arts Commission, told the Metroparks board.
Mr. Folk provided details of the projects which are taking place largely in Glass City Metropark and along the planned Glass City Riverwalk. This includes a lighted beacon tower and repurposing of clinkers from the Glass City Metropark’s history as an industrial space. Also planned is an expansive project, “Field of Histories,” that New York-based artist Bryony Roberts is set to install.
“’Field of Histories’ is something we are really excited about,” Mr. Folk said. “It consists of 175 glass orbs, and it will serve as an opportunity to tell the individual and connected histories of the glass industry in Toledo. Community members will be able to bring out objects that tell their story and connection to glass.”
The community engagement aspect to the project was described through the example of an old Libbey Glass bottle. The bottle could then be three-dimensionally scanned and etched into the interior of one of the glass orbs.
“This will truly create a ‘field of history,’” Mr. Folk said, “and a place for exploration. It will be a place for people that have participated in that process to feel like the park belongs to them. All of the stories will be documented and posted online to give us a broader story to tell.”
Park officials see this installation being completed sometime in the second half of 2023.
Another planned installation, called “Breathe” is set to go up in International Park, after the Metroparks executes its planned acquisition of the property, with design contribution from local firm Graphite Design + Build. This will be a sort of remembrance of the coronavirus pandemic, featuring much in the way of symbolism.
At the work’s center will be two benches that are 6 feet apart. They are to be circled in rings around the benches will be poles on axes that are also 6 feet apart. Mr. Folk said the positioning is meant to represent the great separation that people felt during the pandemic. The way the air moves through the piece will represent the concept of “breath” and how breath was restricted by wearing of masks for example.
“It is going to be an acknowledgement of this moment we collectively passed through,” Mr. Folk said of the project that is expected to be completed some time in 2024.
Jennifer Van Horn, director of park planning and capital projects for the Metroparks, drew attention to how space in Glass City Metropark and along the Riverwalk is also being replanted and how the natural spaces and the public art are intended to work in tandem.
“There is a lot of space, but we are a conservation organization and a lot of that is going to be reforested,” Ms. Van Horn said. “We are creating habitat where there was never habitat before. These art pieces specifically are just enhancing and calling to the history of Toledo and this site. We want people to experience nature and connect to nature and art is another way to do that. Really, the Arts Commission and the Metroparks just have very similar missions.”
In other action, the board approved the purchase of four lots. Two are Marina District lots, one of two acres and another of a single acre, off Riverside Drive in Toledo.
The other lots are at 3909 S. Berkey Southern Rd. and another at 11219 Frankfort Rd.
The Marina District lots are meant to grow the land between Glass City Metropark and the Marina Lofts. The one-acre property currently contains an asphalt parking lot and the two-acre property contains vegetation. Acquiring the properties will “protect the aesthetic and natural integrity” of the Morrison Drive entrance to Glass City Metropark and provide future opportunities for natural area restoration and enhanced visitor engagement, a board resolution said.
The South Berkey Southern Road property near Oak Openings Metropark in Swanton is 30 acres. It is notable for containing at least four endangered or threatened plant species, the Metroparks said.
The Frankfort Road property, also near Oak Openings Metropark, is 14.6 acres. It contains forested wetlands and wet meadow habitats.
First Published July 27, 2022, 9:19 p.m.
