January 6 News Story
Heritage Trails Park Board Okays Improvements
ST. MARYS -- The Heritage Trails Park District Board of Commissioners approved plans to resurface the Deep Cut Park parking lot during a reorganizational meeting Friday at the St. Marys Community Public Library Meeting Room.
The project will include milling 1.5 inches of existing pavement off the lot, constructing or reconstructing 80 feet of curbing, resurfacing and repainting.
The engineering estimate for the project is $21,881, which will be funded from the district's $23,958 biannual allotment from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Engineering for the project was done by ODOT's District 7 offices in Sidney.
Depending on the bids, Park Commission Dave Stilwell said any remaining funds from the ODOT allotment will be used to purchase stone for the construction of a trail from the Deep Cut parking lot to the towpath trail.
An abandoned rest area, Deep Cut was converted to a park last year, and is operated jointly by the Heritage Trail Park District of Auglaize County and the Johnny Appleseed Metro Parks of Allen County. The 25-acre facility includes a shelter house, picnic tables, grills and various trails linked to the Miami-Erie Canal State Trail, the Buckeye Trail and the National North Country Scenic Trail.
The Heritage Trails Commissioners also reorganized during the meeting, as Jim Heinrich was reelected Secretary, Frank C. Murray Treasurer and Stilwell President.
The board voted to authorize Murray to convert up to $10,000 of the district's funds in interest-bearing accounts.
The board also discussed impending projects with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, including the possible leasing of several acres at Lock 14 for a park and the construction of a bike trail north of St. Marys.
The Board set its next meeting for March 30, at 4:30 p.m. tentatively at the Library Meeting Room.
Anyone interested in more information about the park district, or is interested in volunteering, is urged to contact Stilwell at mjwriter@bright.net. |
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