Expansion of the J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve building is the Wood County Park District’s largest capital improvement project for next year.
The district plans to spend more than $560,000 on 16 capital improvement projects in 2023.
The projects are part of the park district’s $4.46 million operating budget that was approved at the Dec. 13 meeting of park district board.
Director Chris Smalley said the Reuthinger Preserve building expansion has $247,000 earmarked for next year.
“We had taken a wait-and-see attitude the last two years on the Reuthinger building expansion project,” he said, “but this year we plan to finish architect plans, seek a bidder, and hopefully break ground later in 2023.”
He said the plans will increase the building space by about one-third, with offices and more storage space.
Smalley stressed the importance of the building to the community.
The preserve is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg.
“This is the main area for the park’s stewardship program, hosting events like the seed cleaning marathon and master gardeners classes,” he said.
The district proposes to spend $85,600 on improvements at Otsego Park, including $50,000 on cement support repairs, $10,000 on the first phase of a kitchen remodel project, and $5,000 each for basement door replacement and garage foundation repair. Miscellaneous repairs are budgeted for $2,000.
At park headquarters on Mercer Road, plans include parking lot repaving for $35,000, reservation system upgrades for $25,000, sewer line connection project for $11,000, and $2,000 for miscellaneous costs.
Improvements at Carter Historic Farm Park will total $49,000 and will include main barn west wall repairs for $25,000, main house tile and gutter work for $10,000, harrowing house west wall repairs for $8,000 and front porch repairs for $3,000, plus another $3,000 for miscellaneous items.
At Bradner Preserve, the park proposes to spend $42,400, with tar and chipping at the Timmons entrance costing $19,000 and another $14,400 spent to tar and chip the Caldwell entrance. Boardwalk replacement is budgeted for $5,000 and $2,000 for the Caldwell Road entrance sign.
The district plans to spend $23,500 on the Slippery Elm Trail, with $13,000 going toward trail clearing, $6,000 at Cricket Frog Cove, $1,500 for a kiosk replacement and $3,000 for miscellaneous costs.
Improvements to the Rudolph Savanna/Rudolph Bike Park are expected to cost $6,000 plus miscellaneous costs at the Black Swamp Preserve.
W.W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg has had $21,800 allocated, with $15,000 to replace the furnace and $2,000 for additional trail resurfacing. There would be $3,000 for miscellaneous costs.
Buttonwood will have $2,000 spent on parking lot stoning repairs and miscellaneous items.
For both Beaver Creek and Sawyer Quarry preserves, $2,000 has been allotted for miscellaneous repairs.
Baldwin Woods will get $1,500 for miscellaneous costs.
Fuller Preserve and Adam Phillips Pond will each have $500 allotted for miscellaneous expenses.
