Metroparks of the Toledo Area

Gift Giving Catalog

Opportunities for Donor Funded Projects & Programs / 2011

or more than 80 years, Metroparks has been a natural backdrop for a long walk in

the woods, a healthy run on the trails, a family picnic near the playground or just a beautiful place to simply be.

Today, this is truer than ever.

Millions of visitors make Metroparks a part of their lives and a part of their traditions. They are connected to the more than 11,000 acres of unique natural habitat through experiences that enrich them, inspire them, challenge them and quiet them.

Funding is needed to ensure that Metroparks will be here to continue to connect with this and future generations.

Enclosed in this gift catalog are a variety of Metroparks projects and programs seeking your support. The options are vast - from a new multi-million dollar urban park to a single engraved stone paver.

Please consider making a gift a part of your connection....

Metroparks of the Toledo Area

Gift Giving Catalog

Table of Contents 1 2 3 4 5 New Park Development Projects by Park Educational Programs District Trail Projects Members Program Honorariums and Memorials Planned Giving

Wildwood Preserve Metropark

The Manor House The Project: A 1936 Georgian-colonial style, 32,000 square-foot mansion is expensive to maintain in the 21st century. The former Stranleigh, once home to Robert and Page Stranahan, is now a popular attraction for thousands of visitors to Wildwood Preserve each year. To ensure this jewel of Depression-era architecture is preserved for future generations, Metroparks would like to establish an endowment fund for the perpetual care of the Manor House. Project Cost $1,000,000

Playground Renovations Lucas County residents consider playgrounds and picnic areas to be significant ingredients of their Metropark experience. Play equipment and shelters rank among the top reasons people visit, and are the first experience many people have with Metroparks. In a recent Metroparks survey, 98% of respondents agreed that it is important for local children to experience the Metroparks. The Project: A natural playground area at Wildwood Preserve Metropark that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $856,400

Secor Metropark
The National Center for Nature Photography The Project: The National Center for Nature Photography (NCNP) celebrates the wonders of nature and those who treasure it through photography. Now in its sixth year, the NCNP features the finest in nature photography through themed exhibits, master photographer gallery shows and annual photography contests. The center is home to dazzling images of the globally rare Oak Openings of northwest Ohio, designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of Americas Last Great Places. Project Cost: Unrestricted donations to support new exhibits, educational programs and public workshops.

Swan Creek Preserve Metropark

The Playground Renovations Lucas County residents consider playgrounds and picnic areas to be significant ingredients of their Metropark experience. Play equipment and shelters rank among the top reasons people visit, and are the first experience many people have with Metroparks. In a recent Metroparks survey, 98% of respondents agreed that it is important for local children to experience the Metroparks. The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $248,250 $184,250 Airport Highway Playground Glendale Playground

Side Cut Metropark

The Playground Renovation Lucas County residents consider playgrounds and picnic areas to be significant ingredients of their Metropark experience. Play equipment and shelters rank among the top reasons people visit, and are the first experience many people have with Metroparks. In a recent Metroparks survey, 98% of respondents agreed that it is important for local children to experience the Metroparks. The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $143,884 Tot Area & Main Playground Improvements

Oak Openings Preserve Metropark

Horse Rider Picnic Area The Project: An important goal of Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is to expose equestrians to the rare Oak Openings ecosystem by providing a system of horse trails for riders of various abilities. The Horse Rider Center is the primary interface for this system and this project will: Renovate the interior of the picnic shelter barn Construct a new restroom building Add site amenities, including picnic areas, drinking fountains and improve parking to better facilitate the day use riders of this busy site. Project Cost: $200,000 Donors may make unrestricted donations to support the renovation.

Oak Openings Preserve Metropark

Mallard Lake Playground Improvements The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $248,250

Pearson Metropark
The Playground Renovations Lucas County residents consider playgrounds and picnic areas to be significant ingredients of their Metropark experience. Play equipment and shelters rank among the top reasons people visit, and are the first experience many people have with Metroparks. In a recent Metroparks survey, 98% of respondents agreed that it is important for local children to experience the Metroparks. The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $375,250 $71,440 Tennis Court Playground Lot 6 Playground

Providence Metropark
Isaac Ludwig Mill Renovation The Project Originally constructed in the 19th century, the Ludwig Mill is located between the restored section of the Miami & Erie Canal and the Maumee River. The Mill, which is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, is an important piece of northwest Ohios past. Today it demonstrates how a sawmill and gristmill were operated. After more than 150 years of service, the structure is in need of significant restoration including accessibility upgrades, masonry repairs, window and door replacements, HVAC upgrades and replacement to the wood superstructure. Project Cost: $300,000 Donors may make unrestricted donations to support the renovation.

Providence Metropark
Historic Area Playground Improvements The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $71,440

Farnsworth Metropark
Roche de Bout Playground Improvements The Project: A natural playground area that will connect kids with the outdoors, create an irresistible playground accessible to all children regardless of physical abilities and encourage kids to choose an active lifestyle for life. Featuring: Natural landscape with separate play areas for different ages of children. Plant beds, trees and a play-sand area (reflecting the Oak Openings Region) Play structures, including swings, slides and climbing features with rubber play surfaces Addition to the existing parking lot with a sidewalk leading to the play area Landscaping and benches Project Cost: $71,440

Metroparks Educational Programs

Memories are made for kids of all ages at Metroparks Summer Camps. Each year Metroparks provides summer camp experiences from toddlers to teens and families. The Project: Camperships provide children who could not otherwise afford to attend summer camp the opportunity to be a camper for a week. Project Cost: $95 - $125 per week, per camper The Project: Camp Transportation provides bussing from Wildwood Preserve to field trip sites including Side Cut Metropark in Maumee, Ohio and to Fossil Park and Olander Park in Sylvania. Project Cost: $3,300 for 10 weeks of camp transportation The Project: Camp T-Shirts for all summer camp attendees. Project Cost: $1,400 for 350+ campers and counselors The Project: Nature Express provides for bussing transportation for any Title One schools in Lucas County. A goal to reach 70% of Lucas County school children by 2013 with a Metroparks educational experience is part of Metroparks strategic initiative. Project Cost: $2,500 annually

New Park Development

The mission and vision of Metroparks are centered on preserving the regions natural and historical treasures for future generations to enjoy. Opening parkland for public use connects people with these important community assets. Providing a unique Metropark experience in downtown Toledo will serve a diverse number of user groups and bring a natural environment to this central city location. The Project: Middlegrounds Metropark will develop 28 acres of riverfront property within downtown Toledo. The restoration and management of natural areas in this urban setting will forge new connections, both recreational and interpretive, between the community and its Maumee River heritage. The project will respond to the sites natural, historic and cultural environment. It will serve as a model for environmental stewardship by showcasing a storm water treatment system that captures water from the Anthony Wayne Bridge and the site itself. It will be a representative display of the regions strong ties to transportation and industry and attract users beyond the city locally, regionally and nationwide. Additionally the park will: Increase park system access to urban residents- an under-served demographic. Encourage users of all ages/abilities to enjoy the space. Respond to the urban context as a unique opportunity not available in other system parks. Provide a balance between active and passive uses. Encourage year round use, dawn to dusk. Address security concerns and issues. Create opportunity for green design solutions. Create Walkable Riverfront Attract 16,500 children that live within a 1.5 mile radius Project Cost: $3,200,000 Phase I

Pearson Metropark North Development

Pearson Metropark perserves the final remnants of the Great Black Swamp for public appreciation and it demonstrates the cultural and historic significance of the area in the development of northwest Ohio. Pearson Metropark also provides active and passive recreational opportunities within a natural setting. Pearson Metropark encompasses some of the last remaining stretches of the once formidable Great Black Swamp. This rare ecosystem of wet swampland and dense forestation cultivated a unique natural community until the mid nineteenth century when settlers drained it to reveal some of the richest agricultural land in the country. In 1934, Metroparks acquired the original land that became Pearson Metropark, and some 70 years later purchased the adjoining farmland to double the parks size. This new Pearson North is currently being developed with a walking trail, a relocated 1867 Black Swamp cabin, bird observation areas and the land itself is being restored to its original appearance as The Ohio Wetlands Foundations first wetland mitigation bank in Lucas County. The Project: The construction of a picnic area overlooking the wetland and the construction of the trail system extension to connect to the existing regional bikeway. Project Cost: $600,000

Fallen Timbers Battlefield

Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site is an affiliated unit of the National Park System owned and managed by Metroparks. The park consists of three units Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fallen Timbers State Monument and Fort Miamis. The Battlefield is the only site not currently open to the public. The purposes of the park are to: Recognize and preserve the 185 acre battlefield site and Fort Miamis site to formalize the linkage of the battlefield and the monument to Fort Miamis. Preserve and interpret US military history and American Indian culture during the period from 1794 to 1813. The Project: The current general management plan places an emphasis on protecting cultural resources and interpreting historic events by exploring the site on a 1.4 mile trail. Visitor experiences will be geared toward learning about the sites. Phase I of park development includes: On Site Parking Restrooms & Orientation Building Utilities Site Amenities & Interpretative Signage. Loop trail rimming the battlefeild site Project Cost: $1,300,000

The Park District Trail Projects

The Project: Trails are the number one reason visitors frequent Metroparks. Metroparks is home to more than 137 miles of both primitive and paved trails that are used by the public each year for walking, running, bicycling and enjoying connecting with nature. To ensure that safe and scenic trails continue to be part of the Metropark experience, Metroparks would like to establish an endowment fund for the extensive trail system. Project Cost: $1,000,000 Donors may make unrestricted donations to support the renovation.

Honorariums and Memorials

Honorariums and memorials within Metroparks serve to celebrate special occasions, honor individuals and remember loved ones in a meaningful way that is affordable for most. The Project: Vintage style lampposts are located throughout the parking areas within Wildwood Preserve Metropark. Project Cost: $800 each, includes a 4x6 brass plaque The Project: Engraved Pavers are a once-in-a-lifetime way to set lifes special moments in stone a birthday gift, an anniversary or wedding gift, a holiday gift or a way to show your support for Metroparks. Project Cost: $150................ each at the Trailhead at Wildwood Preserve (includes 3 lines with 12 characters per line) $104................ each at the Oak Grove School House at Wildwood Preserve (includes 3 lines with 12 characters per line) $100-$250....... at the Johlin Cabin at Pearson North (includes 3 lines with 14 characters per line and 6 lines with 17 characters per line)

Get Connected! Become a Metroparks Member!

The Metroparks Members Program funds projects that can keep Metroparks beautiful, clean and safe for outdoor adventures throughout the year. The Project: Membership funds support the conservation and restoration of open spaces, educational programs, upgrades to trails, picnic grounds and shelters, interpretive guides, research and so much more. Project Cost: From $30 to $1,000 annually with commensurate benefits.

Planned Giving
Make planned giving a part of your Metroparks connection. By leaving a legacy you ensure future generations will benefit from the natural beauty and historical significance that makes this park district an indispensible component to the quality of life, wellness and vitality of our community. Planned giving options may be tailored to suit donors individual needs and may be designated for a specific project or given as an undesignated gift.

To Preserve and Protect the Natural Heritage of Northwest Ohio

Board of Commissioners
Scott J. Savage, President Fritz Byers, Vice President Lera L. Doneghy, VicePresident

Mission To enhance quality of life and inspire preservation efforts in this and future generations by providing a regional system of premier natural, historical and cultural parklands maintained and operated to the highest professional standards. Your Metroparks

Each of the Metroparks offers picnic areas, playfields, trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, interpretive information and natural beauty. Each also offers 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 Battlefield, 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 office, reservations: 419-407-9700 Metroparks of 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 for our weekly e-newsletter This Week @ Metroparks

Consider making planned giving one of your Metroparks connections.

TM

Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area

5100 West Central Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43615-2106 419.407.9716 Denise.Johnson@metroparkstoledo.com MetroparksToledo.com

Your Metroparks Pearson Metropark Side Cut Metropark Fallen Timbers Historical Battlefield Farnsworth Metropark Bend View Metropark Providence Metropark Blue Creek Conservation Area Oak Openings Preserve Secor Metropark Swan Creek Preserve Wildwood Preserve Toledo Botanical Garden

Greenways University/Parks Trail Wabash-Cannonball Trail Towpath Trail