metroparks annual report 2009
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8/9/2019 Metroparks Annual Report 2009
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GetConnected!Metroparks of the Toledo Area
2009 Annual Report
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8/9/2019 Metroparks Annual Report 2009
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2009 was a year o challenges and
changes at Metroparks, but also a year
that demonstrated the value o the
park district to the community.
It was challenging because, like many
amilies, companies and government
agencies, we elt the eects o the
economic crisis. Metroparks saw the
frst decline in revenue rom property
taxes our primary source o income.
Nonetheless, the park district re-
mained ocused on the delivery o core
services to park visitors. We believe
we have a good handle on how our
community expects us to spend their
tax dollars:
Providing a beautiul natural area or
their park experienceEnsuring a very clean park experienceEnsuring a sae park experienceTaking care o what we haveProviding opportunities or children to
connect with Metroparks
One highlight o the year was the
opening o the historical area at Pear-
son North in August, marking the 75th
anniversary o that beloved park.
Similar to the opening o the original
park during the height o the Great
Depression, volunteers raised moneyor the expansion during difcult
economic times. And like the opening
o Pearson in 1934, the community
turned out in a big way to celebrate the
accomplishment.
It was also a big year or programming
at Metroparks. Holidays in the Manor
House a community tradition dating
back to the 1970s saw nearly 14,000
people make the spectacular home
part o their holiday celebration. Oppor-
tunities or children to connect with na-
ture were abundant as 88 local schoolstook advantage o Metroparks environ-
mental programs and summer Nature
Camp attendees went hiking, fshing,
and explored the great outdoors.
One thing we will long remember
about 2009 is the way in which our
talented sta persevered during
the fnancial crunch to continue
delivering on the promise we make
to the community every day: clean,
sae, natural parks where everyone
is welcome. Our park employees
made up o ranger, maintenance,
land management, programming, and
administrative sta are ocused on
serving our customers and providing a
world-class natural area park system.
And while sta was here to serve the
community, supporters returned the
avor by providing over 50,000 hours
o valuable volunteer time.
You can read about these and other
highlights elsewhere in this report.
What I would like to add, on a per-
sonal note, is my thanks to you, our
park users, members, volunteers,
and donors. As the new director o
Metroparks in 2009, I ound it en-
couraging and gratiying to meet somany people who care so deeply or
an institution that has been a part o
my own amily as ar back as I can
remember.
I ask or your continued support, and,
as always, I count on you to let me
know how we can serve you better.
Regards,
Donald R. Rettig, Jr.
Director
The Year Ahead
2010 will see the greatest investment
in inrastructure in the park districts
history. Expect to see:
Improvements at Macomber Lodge
at Pearson, the Metz Visitor Center at
Wildwood and the Buehner Centerand Lodge at Oak Openings.
A new entrance and a parking lot
at Bend View Metropark, making this
scenic spot on the Maumee River
accessible to more people. Currently,
the only way to get to Bend View is
by walking about two miles on the
Towpath Trail rom Farnsworth.
Repaving projects across the dis-
trict, including the Parkway through
Oak Openings Preserve; shelter reno-
vations; a new waterline at Wildwood;
and trail improvements, including a
new loop trail at the Pearson North
addition. These projects are scheduled
or already under way.
Across the park district, dead and
dying ash trees will be removed in
places where they pose a hazard and
natural areas will be restored.
The vast majority o the unding or
these projects will come rom grants,
donations, and other unding sourcesseparate rom local levy revenue.
Value Of Metroparks Shines Through
Revenues
PropertyTaxLevy $12,073,115
LandAcquisitionLevy 2,147,745
IntergovernmentalRevenues 3,835,405
Program&RentalCharges/Sales 361,321
Donations,Sponsors 332,232
&MemberFees
RetailOperations 106,935
InvestmentIncome 52,924
Fines&Forfeitures 5,442
AllOtherRevenue 252,716
TOTAL $19,167,835
Expenditures
Payroll&FringeBenets $7,802,739
OperatingExpenditures 3,426,462
CapitalOutlay 1,300,982
LandAcquisition 1,705,177
AllOtherExpenses 774,852
TOTAL $15,010,212
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Connecting With The Land
Land Acquisition
Metroparks grew by 179 acres in2009. Most of the land acquisitions
were within the Oak Openings region,
where a greenway corridor between
Secor and Oak Openings Preserve is
now more than 85 percent complete.
In 2009 Metroparks acquired:
74 acres of Oak Openings habitat
using $615,000 from the Clean Ohio
Funds. Included was a 17-acre expan-
sion to Secor Metropark.
55 acres of swamp forest habitattransferred from the Toledo-Lucas
County Port Authority.
42 acres of wet prairie and swamp
forest habitat purchased with
$571,000 from the Ohio EPAs Wa-
ter Resource Restoration Sponsor
Program in collaboration with the City
of Toledo.
3.6-acre Fort Miamis Park transferred
from the City of Maumee and will be
managed as part of the Fallen Timbers
Battleeld and Fort Miamis NationalHistoric Site.
A 1.5-acre in-holding at Providence
Metropark.
And a 1-acre in-holding at the Fallen
Timbers Battleeld on Jerome Road.
Land Acquisitions To DateSince the passage of a 10-year,
0.3-mill land levy in 2002, the park
district has added nearly 3,000 acres.
Total land holdings (owned, leased or
managed by agreement) were 10,787
acres as of December 31, 2009. The
original land levy goal of adding 4,500
acres is now two-thirds complete.
Following are total acres acquired by
focus area. Numbers in parentheses
represent Metroparks original acreage
targets.
Zone TotalOak Openings Corridor (1800) 1555
Lake Erie Coastal Zone Area (1600) 987
Maumee River Corridor/
Fallen Timbers (350) 67
Ottawa River/
Ten Mile Creek Corridor (250) 0
Swan Creek Corridor/Westside Corridor (200) 5
Other: Nona France, Keil Farm (300) 323
TOTAL (4500) 2937
Land ManagementAlongside rows of corn and other
crops at the Blue Creek Conserva-
tion Area, a Metroparks property in
Whitehouse, grows a variety of native
plants used to repopulate natural
areas being restored throughout the
park district. In 2009, the farm raised
12,000 plants. Seeds harvested fromthe farm were used to plant 80 to90 acres of land, including a portion
of the former Keil Farm property on
Reynolds Road and Hill Avenue.
The Land Management crew also
restored about 50 acres of natural
area by thinning overgrown vegeta-
tion and removing non-native spe-
cies. Prescribed burns are among the
methods the crew used to restore
native habitat.
New and Improved Rental
Options
A late-1800s brick farmhouse
at Wildwood Preserves east
entrance will become a unique
rental facility in 2010. It is just one
of many improvements on the way
for Metroparks indoor facilities.
The Wildwood Manor House, Oak
Openings Lodge and the Buehner
Center at Oak Openings are all due
for major improvements in the yearahead. Last year was the rst full
year that the Manor House was
made available for weddings and
other gatherings.
Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.
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Connecting With The
Community
Programs And Special EventsMetroparks oers more than fve
dozen low-cost or ree educational
programs each month. Programs are
one way the park district lives its mis-sion to inspire preservation eorts in
this and uture generations. In 2009,
118,500 people attended programs to
learn about the nature, history and cul-ture o the region, or to experience the
parks as part o an entertaining social
event. Fees rom programs generated
$166,000 in revenue.
Program highlights included the dedi-
cation o the Johlin Cabin at Pearson
North, which coincided with the 75th
anniversary o Pearson Metropark; Na-
ture Camp, a series o weeklong daycamps that get kids outside or naturediscovery and play; and the Happy
Trails 5K Run/Walk, which has grown
every year and reached 850 partici-
pants in 2009.
The National Center or Nature
Photography at Secor marked its fve-
year anniversary with a major exhibit,
Americas National Parks: A Monu-
mental Vision, eaturing stunning,
large-ormat images by acclaimed
photographer and environmentalistClyde Butcher. The exhibit attracted
well over 3,500 visitors rom through-
out the region and beyond. In all,
8,500 people toured the galleries o
the Photo Center in 2009.
The annual Holidays in the Manor
House drew nearly 14,000 people
over eight days, contributing to total
Manor House attendance or the yearo 36,024 people.
The Canal Experience at Providence
had 13,300 visitors in 2009. The
historical attraction takes school chil-
dren and amilies back to 1876 when
canal boats were an important ormo transportation. Ticket sales or the
boat generated $58,000 to help oset
the cost o operating the historical at-traction. The new canal season started
strong in 2010 with 2,270 reservations
in May, including 1,800 children.
VolunteersMetroparks is dedicated to providing
volunteer opportunities that promote
meaningul community participation,
use the diverse talents o volunteers
to expand resources, and educate the
people o the region about the impor-tance o preserving natural, historical
and cultural resources.
More than 3,000 volunteers con-
tributed 50,500 hours o service to
Metroparks in 2009. They included
maintenance volunteers who contrib-
uted over 10,000 hours, a 31 percent
increase over the previous year. The
dedicated members o the Volunteer
Trail Patrol, who receive training andcommit to ongoing service, contrib-
uted nearly 9,800 hours, a 42 percent
increase.
The park district received tremendous
volunteer support rom a variety o
community organizations, including
ongoing relationships with Key Bank
on Neighbors Make a Dierence Day,
St. Ursula Academy on Day o Caring
and members o the Hindu Temple
at Global Youth Service Day. Approxi-mately 200 community groups includ-
ing schools, religious organizations,
civic clubs and workplaces are activeeach year in work projects throughout
the park district.
New or 2010 are the monthly Main-
tenance Work Days. Oered at a
variety o park locations, volunteers
are invited to work alongside park
maintenance crews. People with trade
skills are especially needed. Several
volunteer interns also can be seen in
and around the parks. These studentsrom area universities gain real worldexperience while giving back to the
community.
CommunicationsA new website was launched in Sep-
tember with the uture in mind. Devel-
oped by WGTE Public Media and paid
or with donated unds, the new Me-
troparksToledo.com was designed to
be uncluttered and simple to use, yet
Carson FamilyEllen Biddle Shipman designed many amous gardens across the country or
prominent amilies o the era, including R.A. Stranahan. Very ew o her high-
maintenance gardens are still intact, and even ewer are open to the public.
But Toledo has one o them, and its open every day o the year at the Wild-
wood Manor House. The garden has been restored in recent years thanks to
the generous support o the Carson Family Fund at the Toledo Community
Foundation. Additional work will be done this year to extend the garden tothe cabana restrooms on the Manor House lawn.
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provide more in-depth information for
those doing more extensive research.
The new site is used in conjunctionwith Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and
other social websites to reach out to
the community and provide informa-
tion about events and seasonal high-
lights in nature. By the end of the rst
quarter of 2010, the Metroparks fan
page on Facebook already had more
than 6,000 fans. Enhancements were
also made to the park districts online
reservation system used to sign up
for programs and reserve shelters and
meeting rooms.
A 17-minute video, produced byMetroparks, was shown for the rst
time at a fundraising breakfast in May
and has been used many times since
to tell the Metroparks story.
Connecting With The Future
DevelopmentMetroparks receives generous support
from local people and foundations.
Examples include Dorothy MacKenzie
Price; the Alfred Wagener Foundation,which sponsors an annual golf outing;the France Stone Foundation, which
made large contributions to Pearson
North, the Middlegrounds property in
downtown Toledo and other projects;
funds set up by the Staelin and Carson
families at the Toledo Community
Foundation, and the Kathryn Johnson
Scholarship Fund.
Some additional foundations, corpo-
rations and families supporting
Metroparks include: Federation of
American Womens Clubs Overseas,
Prudence Lamb Trust, Morgan StanleySmith Barney, D&K Excavating, Fulton
County Chapter O.H.C. Michael
Manzella, Bill Belford and the John
and Virginia Hankison Foundation.
Fundraising/MembershipsFor several years, Metroparks and
park visitors have benetted from the
nancial support of The Andersons.
Thousands of people enjoyed Pack the
Parks, the MetroBarks Festival, Happy
Trails 5K and other programs, thanks
to the local retailer and agribusi-
ness company. Events like these areavenues to introduce people to the
countless benets of Metroparks.
Metroparks also receives ongoing
support from Volunteers In Parks,
Friends of Pearson, Friends of Side
Cut, Friends of Secor, Friends of the
Lathrop House, the Manor House
Volunteers and other groups.
Metroparks development efforts
raised a total of $374,000, including
$88,000 from memberships. An an-nual appeal generated $25,000, while
a one-hour fundraising/friend-raising
breakfast in May raised $11,000.
Nearly 80 percent of Metroparks
members renewed their member-
ships in 2009 an above-average
retention rate for membership pro-
grams. A special promotion garnered
413 new members and approximately$20,000.
Federal Stimulus GrantMetroparks and the USDA Forest
Service will be helping to keep the
parks safe for visitors while creating
jobs over the next two years as thou-
sands of dead ash trees are removed
near trails, roads and buildings.
The urban ecosystem restorationproject is being funded by the Ameri-
can Recovery and Reinvestment Act(ARRA). The $1.3 million project will
eliminate hazards by removing thou-
sands of trees in public areas where
falling trees and branches pose a risk
to public safety or property.
The Metroparks Board of Park Com-
missioners has begun contracting
with companies to fell dead or dying
Pearson North CommitteeBuying a 300-acre addition that
doubled the size of Pearson
Metropark was only the begin-
ning. When Fred Johlin donated
his familys log home built during
the Great Black Swamp era, a
committee formed to raise money
to move and renovate the building
to serve as the centerpiece for
an historical education area. Thecabin opened in August on the
75th anniversary of Pearson Park.
Chaired by Friends of Pearsonfounder Terry Breymaier, the com-
mittee included Mike Hopkins,
John Szozda, Gary Thompson
and Michelle Quilter. You can still
contribute to the ongoing effort
by purchasing an engraved brick
to be placed at the site. The Johlin
Cabin will have public hours thissummer.
Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.
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8/9/2019 Metroparks Annual Report 2009
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Rentals of picnic shelters and other
park facilities generated $159,000.
Long-term Projects
A committee of staff and volunteers,with input from a series of public
meetings, completed a General Man-
agement Plan for a future downtownToledo Metropark located on the for-
mer Middlegrounds property overlook-
ing the Maumee River. Each existing
and future Metropark has a General
Management Plan, which is used as
a guide to develop and manage the
site. A committee was formed in early
2010 to begin work on a GMP for the
former Keil Farm property in Toledo.
ash trees infested by the emerald ash
borer. The invasive Asian beetle has
killed tens of millions of ash trees in
12 states and two Canadian provinces
since 2002.
The project will create or sustainabout 15 private-sector green jobs
in the arborculture and forest restora-tion industry while restoring forest
ecosystems in the economically-chal-
lenged greater Toledo area. Additional
jobs will be created as Metroparks
hires crews to remove invasive spe-
cies and restore natural landscapes in
affected areas.
Customer ServiceA major initiative to continuously
improve customer service began this
winter and will be completed in spring2010. The renovation of the park
districts Metz Visitor Center, locatedat Wildwood Preserve, will consoli-
date customer service functions in
one accessible location at the busiest
Metropark. Later in 2010, a charming
farmhouse on the grounds of Wild-
wood Preserve, which once housed
the Farmhouse Gift Shop, will be
renovated as a unique rental facility.
Manor House rentals continued toincrease for the third consecutive
year, generating $36,000 in revenue.
Friends of the Lathrop House have be-
gun the second phase of restoration
work on the historic, Underground
Railroad house at Sylvanias Harroun
Park. Metroparks is a partner in the
project, lending its expertise in plan-ning, construction and programming.
Connecting The Staff To
The Mission
Empowering EmployeesSixcess (or 6S) is Metroparks own
brand of the 5S workplace organiza-
tion methodology that stands for
Sorting, Straightening (Set in Order),
Sweeping (and Shining), Standard-
izing and Sustaining. Metroparksadded the 6th S, Safety. The system
involves checklists of standards forpublic areas and maintenance shops,
which are audited quarterly by teams
of employees. Overall for 2009, the
parks met 93 percent of established
standards. The program is in the
process of being rolled out to indi-
vidual ofces, and volunteers are even
helping the staff 6S trails. Sixcess
has been an important part of stan-
dardizing what it means to be clean,
safe and natural. The Sixcess teamwas invited to present the process at
a national Productivity Conference in
Nashville.
Metroparks is dedicated to exceeding
park visitors expectations by paying
attention to every detail of service
delivery. Every employee is expected
to own and solve visitor problems at
the moment of rst contact. The em-
ployee Service Guarantee gives staffthe ability to make it right.
The Wagener FamilyEach fall since 1999, the Wagener family has gathered to remember their
father, Al, and to raise money for a cause he would have appreciated. The Al
Wagener Memorial Golf Outing is held each September at Riverby Hills Golf
Club. Money raised during the event is donated to Metroparks for the care
of Audubon Islands State Nature Preserve. The Maumee River island is part
of Side Cut Metropark, a park that held special meaning to Mr. Wagener.
Dorothy MacKenzie PriceDorothy MacKenzie Price is one
benefactor who epitomizes what
it means to give back to the
community. For many years, Mrs.
Price has contributed to causesthat benet people of the Toledo
area, including Metroparks. Her
many contributions have provided
playground equipment for children;
nature, history and music programs
for families; equipment and
recognition for employees; and
much more.
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As a local leader in conservation of
natural resources, it is important that
the Metroparks staff think green in all
aspects of their jobs. Ecocentric is
the agencys unique brand name for
sustainable practices. These prac-
tices include using green cleaningproducts, bio-fuels and oils, and the
smallest, most efcient equipment fora given job. This publication and Me-
troparks Magazine are printed using
soy-based inks and recycled paper in a
local, wind-powered printing facility.
Employee InvolvementThe majority of Metroparks employ-
ees participated in the park districts
internal idea program, MetroSparks.
They submitted 150 ideas, 93 percent
of which were implemented. Those
ideas saved Metroparks more than$43,000. Since the MetroSparks
program began in 2002, employees
have submitted more than 2,000 ideas
resulting in a savings of $1.2 million.
Using the agencys Volunteer Com-
munity Leave program, employees
contributed 600 hours of service to 36
local community organizations.
Staelin FamilyThe renovations to the Metz
Visitor Center at Wildwood this
winter were only the latestimprovements to the historic
stables building. The courtyardhas been beautifully landscaped
over the past several years
thanks to the support of Mr.
and Mrs. Stephen Staelin, who
established the Tiffany Elise
Staelin Fund in memory of
their daughter. Now, thousands
of people who stop to rest or
gather at the patio tables in the
courtyard can enjoy the beauty
of the Tiffany Buttery Garden.
Testimonials
We are so grateful for how professional your staff was to work with. We would
use the Metroparks again in a heartbeat! Thank you so much to all the staff that
pulled together to make it happen for my husband and I. You helped make my day
magical. Note from a bride, Secor wedding
It really touched the kids to know how people lived. Very informative and great
presenters; wonderful, fascinating evening with all presenters doing an
excellent job
- Underground Railroad Lantern Tour participant
This was of course on very short notice, but Dad loved Side Cut so much we
thought it would be nice to gather there in his honor. Both the ranger and the lady
I spoke with in reservations were just wonderful, understanding and courteous. Ireally appreciated their cooperation.
Rental survey
The rangers were very helpful to all of us and represented the Metroparks very
well. The work on the Towpath was excellent. It was entirely clear, dry and in
awless condition. I add my thanks to all who worked on it and did such a ne job.
Towpath Run participant
My friend had a wonderful time at her baby shower and all of the guests were
impressed with the facility. I will denitely use you in the future! Thank you again
for making my event fabulous!
Manor House rental customer
A huge THANK YOU toanyone involved in posting the info and pictures of the
Mountain Bluebird! I didnt know about it until I saw the rst blog and then went
out and was able to see and enjoy a rare jewel in our vicinity. I really enjoy and
appreciate the Nature Now blog and read it regularly.
Facebook fan
You guys were behind us 100 percent and we really appreciate it. We are very
proud of the result. Terry Breymaier, chairman, Pearson North Fundraising Committee, to the
Metroparks board
The Park Ranger was extremely helpful when I arrivedI cannot say enough
about his level of customer service. My day would have started off badly if it
hadnt been for him.
Rental survey, Ward Pavilion, Wildwood
Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.
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8/9/2019 Metroparks Annual Report 2009
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Your Metroparks
Each o the Metroparks oers picnic
areas, playfelds, trails or hiking and
cross-country skiing, interpretive inor-
mation and natural beauty. Each also
oers something that makes it unique.
Parks:
Wildwood Preserve, Sylvania Township
Pearson, Oregon
Swan Creek Preserve, Toledo
Side Cut, Maumee
Oak Openings Preserve, Swanton
Farnsworth, Waterville
Bend View, Waterville
Providence, Grand Rapids
Secor, Berkey
Blue Creek Conservation Area, Whitehouse
Fallen Timbers Battleeld, Maumee
Attractions:
Toledo Botanical Garden, Toledo
The Manor House, Wildwood
Oak Grove School, Wildwood
The Canal Experience, Providence
National Center for Nature Photography, Secor
The Lathrop House, Harroun Park, Sylvania
Greenway Trails:
Towpath Trail (Farnsworth to Providence)
University/Parks Trail
Wabash Cannonball Trail
Partner Agencies:
Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc.
Natures Nursery
Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District
Village of Whitehouse
Stay Connected
All parks, administrative ofce,
reservations: 419-407-9700
Metroparks o the Toledo Area
5100 W. Central Ave.
Toledo, OH 43615
Websites: MetroparksToledo.com,
MetroparksPrograms.com
Facebook: mymetroparkspage
Twitter: @mymetroparks
Email: webmaster@MetroparksToledo.
com
Sign up online or our weekly e-news-
letter This Week @ Metroparks
To Preserve and Protect
the Natural Heritage of
Northwest Ohio
Mission
To enhance quality o lie and
inspire preservation eorts in this
and uture generations by providing
a regional system o premier natural,
historical and cultural parklands
maintained and operated to the
highest proessional standards.
Board of CommissionersScott J. Savage, PresidentFritz Byers, Vice President
Lera L. Doneghy, VicePresident
Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.
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