Seneca Parks board learns of 2023 impact

TIFFIN — Seneca Parks distributed $252,000 in Community Park Grant six-year distributions and collected more than $138,000 in outside funding from grants and donations in 2023. Executive Director Sarah Betts made the 2023 Seneca Parks Impact Study report to the board during its meeting Tuesday. In addition, she said the district completed more than 10 capital and improvement projects and provided 440 programs for more than 9,000 people. The district has 11 park locations, 22 trail miles, manages 738 preserve acres, and has been providing Out & About Preschool for 17 years. Also in her report, Betts said the gravel parking lot at St. John's Mill River Access, CR 6, is in but is awaiting final compaction because of wet weather in late December. She said the staff is adding insulation and shelving to the four-bay garage at Fruth Wetland Nature Preserve, and storm window fabrication and restroom repairs continue in the Beard House at Bowen Nature Preserve. Betts said Black Swamp Conservancy continues to work with H2Ohio wetland restoration contractors at Clary-Boulee-McDonald Nature Preserve, West SR 12 1.4 miles southwest of Bettsville. The property is to be turned over to Seneca Parks after the monitoring and preliminary management contract expires in another year. Site amenity planning continues, including a trail system, with hopes of opening the park for visitors in a couple of years. She said the district (will) seek additional grants for improvements. In addition to public programs, Program Director Linda Rose took part in a Christmas parade and provided programs to Bellevue preschools (2), ECI, Fostoria city preschools (4), Fostoria YMCA, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership-Fostoria (2), GLCAP Tiffin, Lincoln preschools (6), New Riegel Elementary Nature Club, Seneca County Homeschoolers, Seneca East preschool (2), Wesley Center and Winter Camp. In 2023, more than 9,000 people participated in park programs. With the departure of "Sasquatch," Rose reported a "Snow Bunny" has moved into Seneca Parks. People who spot him moving through the county parks can write down the letters he's holding each week, but should not remove them. At the end of the challenge, participants can unscramble the letters and submit their answers to Rose at Lrose@senecacountyparks.com. The first 30 people to submit the correct answer will receive a winter surprise. Submission deadline is April 15. Location clues are: • Jan. 16-31 - This nature preserve has five ponds and is home to the nature-based preschool. • Feb. 2-14 - A "sweet creek" runs through this county park, having an upper and lower entrance. Use the upper entrance. • Feb. 16-29 - A mile loop and three bridges keep your feet dry in this nature preserve. • March 2-14 - This nature preserve connects to a city park and parallels the Sandusky River. • March 16-28 - This nature preserve has five ponds and is home to the nature-based preschool. Also, the board approved a report to the probate court judge regarding donations and grants received in 2023, including: • $100 from Threads Inc. • $74,730 from Tiffin Community Foundation for 2024 from the SCPD Fund. • $75 from Fostoria Garden Club for a program. • $20 each from two anonymous donors for programs. • $1,127 in-kind donation from Jack Bour, American Fire & Safety Services Inc. for fire extinguisher service. • $48,549 in special project donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. For details, visit www.senecacountyparks.com. • $2,000 from the Ohio Department of Development for welding certification for employee Grady Moon. • $8,968 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Club Conservation Partnership for archery equipment. • $50,000 from Tiffin Community Foundation for the nature education building. The board also: • Elected Jakob Boehler as chairman of Seneca Parks board during an organizational meeting Tuesday. Jacob Price was elected first vice chairman and Lori Hall second vice chairwoman. • Deferred taking this year's distribution from the SCPD Fund through Tiffin Community Foundation until a later date for use toward the nature education center. • Approved GovDeals, www.govdeals.com, for selling unneeded property by online auction. • Transferred $3,000 from the General Fund to the Preschool Fund. • Moved its April board meeting to April 16 because of the solar eclipse. • Scheduled a board planning meeting for Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at Garlo Nature Preserve, S. 6777 SR 19, Bloomville. • Went into executive session to consider employee compensation, and decided to distribute $21,000 in bonuses among the district's employees. The next meeting is at 9 a.m. Feb. 13 at the park office, 3362 S. TR 151, Tiffin.