See the
Programs and
Special Events links to find
out what you can do
in YOUR MetroParks!
Learn how to improve your community and become an Erie MetroParks
Volunteer or a
Friend.
When thinking back on the evolution of Erie
MetroParks, there’s someone who just can’t be overlooked. Starr
Truscott, a Park Commissioner for 33 of the district’s first 40 years,
provided significant contributions to Erie MetroParks.
A U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the University of North Carolina,
he was the first chairman of the Board of Park Commissioners. Mr.
Truscott’s dedicated service and leadership helped develop the park
district and foster its growth from one to ten MetroParks. The
MetroParks’ community outreach through conservation, education,
recreation and bike safety programs, also grew significantly during his
tenure.
Looking back over Erie MetroParks’ 40 years worth of history, there are
reflections of Starr everywhere, from quiet walks in Edison Woods,
nature programs at Castalia Quarry, and spotting bald eagles at
Community Foundation Preserve, to Mother’s Day at the McBride Arboretum,
picnic lunches at Pelton Park, and, of course, family reunions, birthday
parties, and kids’ soccer games at Osborn Park. Thanks to Starr’s
inspiration and involvement, the park district has been and continues to
be an indispensable part of the fabric of the community.
Starr Truscott recognized the current and
future needs of the community and remained involved in conservation and
preservation of our natural resources after his retirement from public
service in 2001. His legacy continues to grow along with the natural
areas he helped preserve. A resident of Birmingham,
Starr passed away in 2007, and in recognition of his invaluable
contributions to Erie MetroParks and Erie County,
a picnic shelter is planned for the Birmingham
School Park in his honor. Contributions to the fund established
for this purpose are being actively sought—contact Erie MetroParks at
419-621-4220 for more information.
Throughout 2008, keep an eye out for the
programs taking place at Erie MetroParks facilities with special
emphasis on the 40th anniversary. Open houses to welcome
everyone into the MetroParks will give participants a peek into some
neat facts and fun things to do. A community picnic at Osborn Park will
be held on Erie MetroParks’ birthday, Tuesday, July 8. Don’t miss the
regular nature and recreation programs, and especially the special
events like Harvest Happenings and Safety Stars. “40 For You” is the
MetroParks’ motto this anniversary year. Thanks to Starr Truscott and
others like him, Erie MetroParks has served the community for 40 years
and is looking forward to doing the same in the future.
For more information about the 40th
anniversary, programs, special events or any of the MetroParks, please
go to
www.eriemetroparks.com or call (419) 625-7783 x221.
In February and April of 2007, Erie MetroParks successfully used
explosives to create vernal pools at Edison Woods Preserve located off
of SR 61 in Berlin Township, Erie County, as part of an ongoing effort
to restore wetlands at the site. A vernal pool is a contained
depression lacking a permanent above ground outlet, basically a low area
where water collects but is not connected to creek, river, etc. The
Edison Woods area, long before it was protected as a nature preserve,
was historically home to many vernal pools and the special organisms
that inhabit them. However, decades ago they were removed as a result
of agricultural use.
The vernal pool effort
is a joint project of the North Coast Regional Council of Park Districts
(NCRCPD) and Erie MetroParks.
It was paid for by the North Coast Regional Council of Park Districts
using funds from private sources. These dollars are specifically
designated to restore wetlands that are vital to the environment and
wildlife.
Blasting was done by
Austin Powder Company, a licensed blasting contractor. This process was
selected due to its efficiency and low cost compared to the alternatives
that were not feasible at the location. Due to general wet ground
conditions and dense woods, large equipment cannot make it back to the
remote sites to dig out the shallow depressions necessary to accomplish
the ecological goals of the project.
Although unusual for northern Ohio, the use of explosives to create
vernal pools has been used frequently in other areas of the country.
The USDA Forest Service has employed this method safely and effectively
on many occasions.
The wet conditions at
Edison Woods Preserve have allowed the vernal pool process to begin
since they’ve been created. Water usually fills a vernal pool when the
water table rises due to rain, runoff or snow melt. The pools are
generally dry by late summer. Also known as ephermeral pools, autumnal
pools or temporary woodland ponds, vernal pools are unique wildlife
habitats. Amphibians like salamanders and many invertebrate animals
rely upon these pools to complete their life cycles. The depressions
are especially important since they are free of fish predators.
If you’d like to see the
vernal pools for yourself, and learn more about them and how they work,
please attend the Dynamite Vernal Pool Hike on Sunday, April 6 from
1:30-3:30 pm at Edison Woods Preserve. Meet at the SR 61 parking lot
and be sure to wear waterproof footwear.
Please pre-register
online at reservations.eriemetroparks.org
or contact Erie MetroParks at (419) 625-7783 x221.
Don’t just throw away your used
batteries! Erie MetroParks has a convenient drop-off point for
you. Stop by the Osborn Park’s Frost Center anytime from 8 am-4 pm,
Monday-Friday, and turn in used batteries for recycling.
Only the smaller, common use
batteries from an office/home environment will be accepted: AAA,
AA, C, D, 9-volt, Button (hearing aid, watch), Ni-Cd (rechargeable
batteries found in cellular phones and small power tools), Lithium
(usually used in high drain devices like digital cameras etc.).
Sorry, no large or wet cell batteries like those from vehicles,
boats, lawn mowers, etc.
For lots of other information,
including drop-off points for those battery types, go to
www.ErieCountyRecycles.org and click on How, What, Where to
Recycle, then Office Recycling, then Batteries.
Don’t forget—Osborn Park also is
home to a popular recycling point for many other types of item like
cans, paper, glass, cardboard and plastic. Think green! For more
information, contact Erie MetroParks at 419-625-7783 x221.
Interested individuals and
groups can now reserve a general purpose tent at Osborn Park and
McBride Arboretum. Thanks to an $1100 donation from the Sandusky
Rotary Club specifically designated for the purchase, Erie
MetroParks has obtained a new tent for public use.
John Hufnagle of Sandusky Rotary
Club said that the determination was made to donate the tent funding
to Erie MetroParks because the Club “uses Osborn Park and the tent
for the annual picnic”. He also noted that they appreciate the
“fine working relationship with the parks” that developed further
during the deluxe playground installation at Osborn Park in 2004.
That donation was part of a community service project to help
celebrate the Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary.
In appreciation of the Rotary
Club’s partnership, Erie MetroParks Director-Secretary Stephen Dice
stated, “This is a good example of how partnerships can benefit the
entire community. Thank you to the Rotary for their donation as
well as all the community service they provide.”
The 30’ x 60’ tent is available
by advance reservation and payment of a $300 fee to Erie
MetroParks. With a maximum capacity of 150 people, the tent may be
utilized from 8 am-dark, April through October. Tables and chairs
are not provided in the reservation.
To see when the tent is available,
please view it in the Reservations section for Osborn Park or
McBride Arboretum
here. To make your reservations or for more information,
contact Erie MetroParks at 419-625-7783 ext. 221.
The Friends of Erie MetroParks are pleased to announce they have
received a significant grant, that when combined with previous
donations, will enable the construction of a dog park in 2008. Local
citizens and their dogs attended a special leash-cutting
ceremony at the site of the future dog park on Wednesday, December 12.
The dogs did the official groundbreaking with a little incentive
from buried treats.
Based
on area citizens’ requests and planning assistance from the Dog Park
Committee, the dog park would be an enclosed area, exclusively for dogs
and their owners, where no leashes are required. Primarily it will
provide a safe place for dogs to run and play without disturbing other
park visitors or off-limit areas.
Click here for
more information.
For
more information, contact Erie MetroParks at (419) 621-4220 or
pr@eriemetroparks.org.
Erie MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners selected
Stephen Dice to fill the open position of
Director-Secretary. Mr. Dice reported for duty on Monday,
December 3.
Bringing over 30 years of parks experience with him, Mr. Dice began his
career at the State of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
working in numerous roles such as a park ranger, park manager, assistant
regional business executive and assistant regional park and recreation
supervisor. He next was the Director of Operations at Cleveland
Metroparks, and finally was Director of Parks and Conservation at Five
Rivers MetroParks.
Originally from southern Michigan,Mr. Dice earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Park and Recreation
Resource Administration from Michigan State University, and his Master
of Public Administration from Western Michigan University. Mr. Dice
also has received leadership training with Michigan DNR and was an Ohio
Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) Leadership Academy committee
member.
Along with his education, Mr. Dice’s experience as an elected Park
Commissioner, Board member for Medina Summit Land Conservancy,
workplace behavior consultant, President of the National Association
of County Park and Recreation Officials, Board Member of the
National Society for Park Resources, and various other offices will
certainly provide Erie MetroParks with a wealth of knowledge.
Additionally, Mr. Dice belonged to the Rotary Club of Ionia,
Michigan and owned a lumber and hardware store in Davisburg, Michigan.
Married to Kathie for 32 years, their family includes a daughter, Carli,
and a son, Derek. A self-described outdoors activity enthusiast, he
spends his time hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, hiking, and
boating. He also has played touch football and was selected to
participate in All-City Over 50 Softball League. Most of all, Mr. Dice
looks forward to enjoying many of these activities within Erie
MetroParks.
According to Mr. Dice, “Erie County has a lot to offer as far as quality
of life. I am really happy to be in a community of this size, which has
a good mix with its agricultural history and a tourist presence. I look
forward to being a part of sustaining this quality of life by making
Erie MetroParks an indispensable part of the community by building
partnerships with local organizations. Together we can continue to make
Erie County a great place to live.”
Erie MetroParks has received a considerable number of donations in
memory of former Park Commissioner Starr Truscott. A resident of
Birmingham, he died suddenly on September 3 at his home.
A veteran of the US Army and graduate of the University of North
Carolina, Mr. Truscott was the first chairman of the Erie MetroParks
Board of Park Commissioners. His tenure from 1968-2001 provided the
park district with 33 years of dedicated service that were a very
valuable part of the creation and growth of Erie MetroParks. Mr.
Truscott (center) is shown in the photo to the left with fellow park
commissioners Kevin Zeiher and Fred Deering back in 1995.
Erie MetroParks has received $1175 in donations made
in Starr’s memory by member of the community. The current Board of Park
Commissioners has decided to set aside those funds for use in a
productive project that can also honor Mr. Truscott.
If you
would like to contribute, please contact Erie MetroParks at (419)
621-4220 x10 or accounting@eriemetroparks.org.
In keeping
with its mission to conserve natural resources, while stretching local tax
dollars, Erie MetroParks has implemented a cost saving concept. Visitors might
notice the signs identifying some areas as “Smart Mow” program locations.
These sections are managed with a reduction in the frequency of mowing,
especially in lesser used park areas. This program, initiated by Erie
MetroParks Operations Staff, is expected to result in increased wildlife habitat, greater
species diversity, improved air quality and reduced maintenance time and fuel
expenses.
Turf and meadow grasses located within out-of-the-way sections of selected
MetroParks are allowed to grow higher before they are mowed. Additionally, the width
of some mowed nature trails have been reduced. Playing fields will not be
among the areas placed in this new management program.
According to Operations Supervisor Jim Lang, “Almost 30% of the grassland
currently being mowed on a weekly basis are part of the Smart Mow program. These areas will
be trimmed off once or twice each growing season, depending on their specific
park locations. Some areas will be replanted to tall grass prairie or cool
season grasses as time and funding allows.”
Erie
MetroParks Naturalist Lois TerVeen noted that “taller grasses and meadows
resulting from the Smart Mow program attract ground nesting birds and
increase public wildlife viewing opportunities”.
For more information, contact Erie MetroParks Maple Grove Center at
(419) 621-4220, buckeye@eriemetroparks.org, or 3109 Hull Road in Huron Township.
Erie
MetroParks Biennial Report to the Citizens of Erie County is now available.
This report details significant accomplishments, financial information and
highlights of the park district’s activities for 2005-2006. The next
edition for 2007-2008 will be published in 2009.
View
a copy onlineor request a copy
by contacting Erie MetroParks at
(419) 625-7783 or DiscoverIt@eriemetroparks.org.
