Whitehouse-area residents shared ideas about the building design and would-be programs to be offered at a future library and conservation center at Blue Creek Metropark in Whitehouse.
“I want to see as much environmental responsibility as possible with the new facility and the new programs,” said Jim Gasser of Monclova Township. “From the get-go, I would like to see a design that leverages minimal light pollution and minimal impact on the environment, such as native plants.”
Mr. Gasser, a Metroparks volunteer and Whitehouse Community Library board member, was among scores of attendees at an open house Wednesday at Whitehouse Village Hall co-hosted by Metroparks Toledo and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library to solicit public input on the future facility.
“So, I would like to see reduced lighting and fewer artificial lawns, and then educational programs to go with that. ... I think the library can use the Metroparks to their advantage, to help them with that design consideration,” he said.
The new library is being planned by the Toledo Lucas County Public Library in partnership with Metroparks Toledo to create a facility that will blend and deliver literacy and conservation programs, event organizers said.
During the two-hour event, attendees milled around stands featuring Blue Creek Metropark layout and information about the existing library and Metroparks programs, with the staff answering questions. There were no official presentations.
Attendees were encouraged to write their suggestions on sticky notes and attach them to the stands. Many, including Mr. Gasser, did.
Design suggestions included reflecting local plants and wildlife, making sure there are a lot of windows to allow the observation of the wildlife outside, and, conversely, minimizing the windows to limit the chance that birds would fly into them and injure themselves.
Program suggestions mentioned a book collection on local plants and animals, a nature story trail, garden clubs for children, youth book clubs, kids story trails, children’s gardening projects, travel lodges, and writers workshops for people of all ages.
Katherine Heintschel of Waterville, who suggested opening the writers workshops, said she is thrilled about the library-Metroparks partnership.
“Celebrating nature, celebrating community, and celebrating humans are their common goals,” Ms. Heintschel said. “That [collaboration] would help them succeed. It would help them grow, help them enrich the community.”
The project will be financed from a bond issue that will generate $153 million over 30 years. Library-district voters passed it in November, event organizers said.
Some of those funds were pledged to raze the 20-year-old Whitehouse Library at 10651 Waterville St. and build a modern branch library.
The estimated cost to build is between $12 million and $20 million. Money from the levy also will go toward expansion and improvement of other branch libraries.
The existing, all-volunteer Whitehouse Library began operations in July, 2004, and is not affiliated with the Toledo Lucas County Public Library system.
The new structure is expected to be fully staffed and open full time, like other branch libraries, but volunteers will be welcome, library officials said.
The site is on the north side of the Blue Creek Metropark, on the edge of the historic and biologically diverse Oak Openings region.
The final design will come after a series of meetings with Whitehouse-area residents such as the Wednesday open house, event organizers said.
The new branch library is expected to be 15,000 to 20,000 square feet, with part of it devoted to being a conservation literacy center.
Whitehouse Library has been registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since it opened in the summer of 2004. The library website states that it has more than 20,000 print and video items.
Toledo Lucas County library officials have emphasized previously that there has been enough growth in the Whitehouse area to build a branch library there.
The new Whitehouse Branch will act as a gateway to the Oak Openings Region, event organizers said Wednesday.
Jason Kucsma, Toledo Lucas County library director, who attended the Wednesday event, said he welcomes a chance to deepen the library’s relationship with the Metroparks and “provide an incredible resource for the residents of Whitehouse and the surrounding towns.”
“I'm sure that our partnership is going to bring a number of different programs and services, and that's [what] we're trying to find out tonight as we are having the first of many conversations with the community about what they'd like to see from this collaboration,” Mr. Kucsma said.
As for the Metroparks Toledo, they “are gaining another amenity that is unique,” said Matt Killam, the Metroparks’ chief external affairs officer.
“This will be a regional draw and will also [better] serve the people of Whitehouse,” Mr. Killam said.
Mr. Kucsma said bonds would be sold to finance the new library during the first or second quarter of 2025. Design and construction would take about a year apiece.
First Published March 20, 2025, 12:32 p.m.
