By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Wood County Park District Board of Commissioners accepted the donation of five parcels of Perrysburg Township property from the trusts of Douglas and Mary Ellen Pratt at the July board meeting.
The property, approximately 168 acres at Hull Prairie and Roachton roads, will officially be donated contingent upon terms in a real estate donation agreement, according to the resolution approved by the board.
Mary Ellen Pratt passed away in 2023, and Doug passed away in November 2025. They had long wanted to protect their 200-year-old farmstead from development.
“Doug was a tremendous individual. I was very fortunate in my role as park district director to get to know him and to become friends with him,” said Director Christopher Smalley. “They were great citizens of Wood County and had an eye towards the future for folks other than just themselves.”
According to park board member Jonathan Smith, the homestead officially celebrated 200 years last year. “It is the oldest family-run homestead in the State of Ohio,” he said. “Knowing this is a gift for the county from both of them, I’m grateful that the park district has been given the opportunity and responsibility for their legacy.”
“Their trust included provisions to put aside the homestead property as a donation to the park district. “Everyone in the process shows a clear respect for Doug Pratt and Mary Ellen Pratt,” he said. “This is a tremendous gift, not only to the park district but to the citizens of Wood County.”
Statutory budget process continues
The park commissioners approved the initial 2027 statutory operating budget for the district totaling $4,925,428.
The largest expenditures include, salaries, $2,202,991; capital improvements $502,000; health insurance, $459,800; contract services, $390,119; and PERS, $337,089. Other projected expenses include, equipment, $247,800; supplies, $135,500; other expenses, $124,200; local grants and land acquisition, $100,000 each; contract repairs, $74,600; advertising and printing, $50,700; materials, $34,200; travel and expenses $33,200; Medicare, $31,943; rentals, $24,450; and unemployment compensation, $12,000.
The process is in the early stages with the proposed budget going before the county commissioners before final approval by the park board in December.
Park district at Wood County & Pemberville Fairs
The Wood County Park District is ready to interact with area residents and let them know the ins and outs of the district’s parks, programs and services. Among the best places to reach the most people during the summer are the Wood County and Pemberville fairs.
The district will be at both fairs in August with interactive games and prizes, coloring pages, giveaways, and trivia, said Jessie Walton-Summers, community and communications specialist.
Park district personnel and volunteers will staff the park’s spot at the Aug. 2-9 Wood County Fair each day, 1-8 p.m. The Pemberville Fair dates are Aug. 19-22.
“Flap the Map and Life of the Parks games will be available for children and adults and your whole family to come out to enjoy and play,” she said. “Most importantly, it’s about education of the park system.”
Prizes for playing the game and other promotional products are all made from either eco-friendly inks, recycled aluminum or recycled plastic. “Keeping all these things in mind to reflect back to the mission of the park district,” Walton-Summers said.
In other business, the board:
- Congratulated the Park Police Department for receiving the Elite Award from Lexipol for their commitment at maintaining the Park Polic Manual and all the legal requirements of a police department.
- Authorized the director to sell, recycle , donate or dispose of surplus items from the district. The list includes a 2002 Polaris Ranger from operations, a hutch/China cabinet from Carter Historic Farm, a pond pump vault from W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, and a retro floor lamp from the administration office.
