The purchase of land to expand J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve is all but done.
Wood County Park District Director Chris Smalley confirmed after the park board’s Dec. 12 meeting that he expects the grant to be signed by the state director of public works by the end of the month.
Project agreements should be received by Feb. 1, he said.
The Reuthinger expansion project is important on so many levels, Smalley said.
“If this (property) were to disappear, it would drastically change the whole feel and aesthetic of that park as it currently sits,” he said.
The property in question is adjacent to the greenhouse.
The park district is posed to purchase 30.31 acres east of the preserve, which is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.
The district will pay $1.2 million for the parcel with the owner donating 3.11 acres of homestead.
Strong partnerships have allowed them to raise the funds to boost their application for the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation grant to help with the purchase, Smalley said.
The Friends of the Park provided $17,000. The Wood County Commissioners gave $250,000, the Wood County Port Authority gave $80,000, and the park district contributed around $200,000.
The grant is about $675,000, Smalley said.
The land acquisition will take Reuthinger to over 100 acres, the second largest of the county parks behind Bradner Preserve.
“This will provide an oasis surrounded by commercial development in that area of Perrysburg Township,” Smalley said.
It’s exciting because the family realizes the importance of the park district as one of the few agencies available to preserve the family history of the Reuthinger dairy farm, he said.
Jeff Steed, who is part of the Reuthinger family, approached the park district about the property.
His family had operated a dairy farm on the land, and the park district would keep and utilize the barns and convert the farmland into a prairie.
The purchase also will allow access to the park off Reuthinger Road, instead of Oregon Road.
The property comes with a large brick farmhouse from the 1900s, which the park district will also keep.
The board went into executive session to discuss land acquisitions.
Smalley said earlier land acquisition decisions are based on whether it is contiguous to existing property, is it significant acreage and is it under threat of imminent development.
“We’re talking about potential. We’ve got some things in the works,” he said about the purpose of the executive session.
Also during the meeting, the park district established its operating budget for 2024.
Appropriations include $1.989 million for salaries, $1.231 million for land acquisitions, $378,000 for employee health insurance, $328,000 for the Public Employee Retirement System, $377,032 for contract services and $300,000 for capital improvements.
The park district’s operating budget for 2024 is $5,469,723.33.
Smalley said there have been some adjustments on capital projects as estimates have returned different than what was anticipated.
He pointed out the increase in the land acquisition line item, which is balanced under revenues by grants and park partners.
“We’re in good shape to get this approved,” said board President Tom Myers.
The meeting was the last for Myers and Bill Cameron.
Myers said his six years on the board as a lot of fun.
“It’s been a learning experience and a great reminder of what we do and what we have here in Wood County,” he said.
He thanked the park leadership and staff.
“You guys do a phenomenal job,” he said. “What you do on a daily basis, the dedication and creativity … is really something to be proud of.”
Cameron was absent.
Rebecca Ferguson was elected board chairperson and Sandy Wiechman will remain as vice chair.
“I think it’s an honor to be asked to step up,” Ferguson said.
In other action, the board:
• Was told that Christmas tree recycling will be offered from Dec. 26 to Jan. 30 at the W. W. Knight Preserve, district headquarters, Otsego Park, Harrison Park and at the Slippery Elm trailhead in North Baltimore. Trees must be free of all decorations.
• Learned the Wild Lights Workshop is Jan. 17 from 4-7 p.m. and Wild Lights Weekend is Jan. 19-21 from 5-8 p.m.
