By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Once a bunkhouse for quarry workers, the building at Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve is being transformed into an interpretive center for visitors.
After Tuesday’s meeting of the Wood County Park District Board, a tour was given of the gutted bunkhouse, with its tall stone fireplace.
During their meeting, the board members approved some change orders for the interpretive center project – bringing the total cost to $270,063.
The change orders were the result of “things you don’t know till you tear up the floors, tear out the walls,” said Neil Munger, director of the park district.
Sawyer Quarry park sits off Lime City Road in Perrysburg Township, between Ohio 795 and U.S. 20. The quarry is used by park visitors for rappelling and bouldering, plus has a 1.3-mile trail circling the quarry.
The park district had approached the owners of the quarry years ago about buying the site, since at that point the quarry was full of water and would have made a nice swimming spot, Munger said.
However, the owners wanted $1.2 million for the quarry.
Years later, the quarry had dried up and the owners offered to donate the property to the park district – which jumped at the chance to take over the site.
Board members asked if the park got many visitors.
“It’s kind of hidden away,” said Jim Witter, park district program coordinator.
But people do seem to enjoy the natural trail that loops the quarry. And it’s one of very few places where people can go rappelling or bouldering.
“I’ve heard from a number of people who love to walk here,” Munger said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the park board agreed to offer a 50 percent match for a Clean Ohio Grant, in order to increase its chances of being chosen as a recipient. If awarded, the money will be used to purchase acreage north of the William Henry Harrison Park on the edge of Pemberville. The total cost for the property will be about $448,000, with the board offering to pay half.
“I think if we’re going to do it, we put our best foot forward,” said board president Tom Myers.
The park district is also in the process of buying more land at Baldwin Woods, near Weston, costing $65,000. So the board agreed to move $100,000 into the land acquisition account to handle both land purchases.
The board also agreed to spend $21,527 for six new Tasers for the park district police. The new Tasers will come with holsters, training videos and replacement cartridges. Park police officer Mark Reef said the new Tasers will be bright yellow, so they can not be confused as a firearm by the public. After the meeting, he said the park police have not had to use its Tasers in the past, other than for de-escalation.
In other park business:
- The board approved spending $16,930 to replace two boilers at the Thompson Stone Hall in Otsego Park.
- Park police reported a building at been broken into at the county historical center. Nothing appeared to be taken, but a mirror was broken.
- Munger reported that all the park playgrounds had been inspected by the park district’s two certified inspectors.
- Park police reported that one of its officers had stopped juveniles who were throwing rocks off the Kramer Road overpass over Interstate 75.
