By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
PERRYSBURG—The Wood County Park District celebrated Earth Day on Wednesday by officially opening the Chessie Circle Trail following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The half-mile paved multi-use trail that runs from East River Road to the W.W. Knight Nature Preserve at White Road is the first phase of the project, WCPD Executive Director Christopher Smalley explained before the ceremonial ribbon was cut.
“While this is our first phase of trail construction, it is not our last,” Smalley said. Phase Two will provide 1.25 miles of multi-use trail connecting the W. W. Knight Nature Preserve to Bates Road “as we march toward Rossford.”
The second phase is currently under design review, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
The event also celebrated the partnerships that made the Chessie Circle Trail a reality. The nearly $600,000 project, which was more than a park district’s budget alone could handle, was made possible primarily thanks to the involvement of the Wood County Port Authority.
“With their help and support, along with additional assistance from the Friends of the Wood County Parks, and additional support from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and the Andersons Fund, we are pleased to announce completion of the first half mile of Chessie Circle Trail here in Wood County, Smalley said.
The public project was a great example of being funded by leveraging multiple grant sources along with public/private partnerships.
The port authority provided the majority of the funding—$500,000 through the Clean Ohio Trails Fund. The Greater Toledo Community Foundation, through the Andersons Organizational Fund, contributed $25,000, and the Friends of the Wood County Parks fundraised the final $25,000 needed to complete the project.
“Because of all this outstanding fundraising, the park district’s direct cost, I’m told by Chris, was only a mere $200. And as a fiscal agent for the park district, I am incredibly excited about that part, 200 bucks and we’ve got all of this,” Wood County Auditor Matt Oestreich said with a laugh.
“This trail is a wonderful example of what can happen when strong community partnerships come together for a shared purpose,” he said. “This kind of stewardship matters. It means that we can expand recreational opportunities, connect communities, and serve our residents responsibly.”
Smalley also recognized the Chessie Circle Trail Coordinating Committee members including the Lake Erie West Regional Council (formerly Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments), the City of Toledo, the University of Toledo and Metro Parks Toledo.
Perrysburg Mayor Mark Weber spoke about the importance of multi-use paths and trails, which the city has been developing on the west side of town. “We’re very excited to work with our partners here and locate a good connection point that we can connect to this someday and let our residents enjoy this as well without going out on the road,” he said.
Bob Mack, Perrysburg Township trustee, applauded the park district and the port authority for their hard work. “We’re blessed in Perrysburg Township. We have a handful of Wood County Parks and I think every one of them is just as nice as this,” he said. “It’s kind of neat to think about this trail being the beginning of something much larger in the northern end of Wood County for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson figured he was asked to speak as a nearby neighbor and frequent user of the trail and facilities of W.W. Knight Memorial Preserve. “But as I thought about it, I realized if you’re a Wood County resident, you’re always a nearby neighbor of the Wood County Park system,” because there are parks throughout the county.
“The Chessie Circle Trail is one more element to that wonderful park system,” that will eventually connect Perrysburg and Rossford via trails, he said. “When we walk through the parks, when we walk this new trail, we can see beauty in the flowers and the grass. We can see strength and permanence in the trees, and we can see the wonder of life in the animals and the people that we meet. We can celebrate the hands that have built it and put it together and the people who are going to maintain it for years to come.”
Also during the ceremony, Smalley also accepted two legislative commendations—a certificate of recognition presented on behalf of U.S. Senator Jon Husted by Ashley Ashton, northwest Ohio regional representative for the senator, and an Ohio Senate president’s letter presented by Ohio Sen. Theresa Gavarone.
“Wood County has an amazing park system throughout, and to see this trail come in, connecting communities,” Gavarone said. “It’s going to be really incredible. What you’ve done so far and when you continue to connect, it’s going to be something that everyone can enjoy.”
