An access road at Steyer Nature Preserve and sealing of blacktops have been approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation for using the Seneca County Park District's share of ODOT grant funds.
Park Director Pat Obringer told the park board at its meeting Wednesday that $3,100 will be used to seal blacktop at Steyer preserve and Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve.
Another $18,000-$20,000 will fund the buildup of an access road to the maintenance building at Steyer preserve, he said.
The district has been working for a couple years on filling in the low area with stone and leveling the road. The grant money will enable the district to finish the road, which is not the main park entrance but is used for maintenance traffic and special events.
The board passed a motion to increase the Contract Services Fund by $5,000. Obringer said the money is to pay for tractor repairs and other expenses related to blacktop sealing.
Catherine Gase, committee chairman of the new Mercy Community Nature Preserve, was welcomed to her first board meeting.
The park district and the hospital have officially reached a lease agreement, said Charles Ervin, senior director of facilities and campus planning at Mercy Tiffin, and volunteers are working on the trails to prepare them for use.
Obringer said the district is awaiting paperwork to be completed before a contractor can install new siding on the historic church building at Bowen Nature Preserve.
Regarding reconstruction of the second log cabin at Garlo preserve, board member Roy Zinn said the project is progressing more slowly than he would like. More volunteers are needed to assist with the project on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Zinn said about 25 percent of logs have had to be replaced because of deterioration, which takes more time than reconstructing old logs.
Also at Garlo preserve, Obringer said volunteers are working to complete a wheelchair ramp at the existing log cabin and replace stone around the boardwalk before the annual Oktober Fest.
At a Friends of the Seneca County Park District meeting preceding the board meeting, board members heard an update on the annual festival is to take place noon-5 p.m. Oct. 7.
Along with German food, the log cabin is to be transformed temporarily into a German bakery featuring a variety of home-baked items. Also, the afternoon is to feature a blacksmith, German band, wagon rides around the park, children's activities, a petting zoo and other activities.
They were concerned a bridge is scheduled to be replaced between Bloomville and the park, which will require providing people with alternate driving directions.
In other business, the board heard updates on:
A Friends membership drive, membership brochure and a new 8-foot banner to be used at special events.
The Friends plans to participate in the Heritage Festival parade at 10 a.m. Saturday to encourage people to attend Oktober Fest.
Total funds of $1,200 raised during the 5K run/bike ride/car show at Garlo preserve.
An open house planned for 1-4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Forrest Nature Preserve.
The board's next meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 10 in the conference room of the downtown RTA Building.
