2016... By the Numbers Medina County Park District Annual Report From the Director Walking in nature provides many benefits to each of us who take the time to have that experience. Lowered blood pressure, better physical fitness and a general feeling of well-being are measured benefits from a regular experience in nature. The park district works diligently to provide easy access to nature for all Medina County residents. As I stand at the overlook along the trail at Allardale, the view to the east in Summit County is breathtaking. This part of Medina County certainly reminds me of the landscape where I grew up in Tuscarawas County. The sloping terrain and wooded hillsides are landscapes I explored as a youth. When I stroll the trails and enjoy the views, it s like being back home for a brief time. The park district s staff works daily to make your experience in one of our parks a pleasant one. From rangers walking nature trails and patrolling parks on bicycles, to naturalists providing programs to promote a better understanding of nature, to maintenance staff caring for the parks, it is all done with a purpose. The mission statement says it all: Medina County Park District seeks to enhance the quality of all life through education, conservation, and the protection of natural resources. Go take a hike! Thomas K. James, Director Medina County Park District
Natural Resource Department The natural resource staff oversaw the planting of some 4,000 tree seedlings throughout the park district in 2016. More than 2,000 of them were various hardwood species planted to expand forest habitat at Letha House Park West. Prescribed burns reinvigorate and enhance grassland habitat. Approximately 235 wood duck hatchlings emerged from nest boxes. The staff also planted a 0.5-acre wildflower meadow at Allardale and a 1.5-acre wildflower meadow at Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park. Several acres of wetland and meadow were seeded at Killbuck Lakes, Letha House Park, Buckeye Woods Park, and River Styx Park. Many other areas were supplemented with native wetland and wildflower seed. Much of the native seed was collected by staff and volunteers including Indiangrass seed collected by Cub Scout Pack 3517. In the spring, the department conducted prescribed burns to reinvigorate and enhance grassland habitat on approximately 16 acres at Alderfer-Oenslager Wildlife Sanctuary and 1.5 acres at Buckeye Woods Park. Vernal pool restoration and enhancement continued at Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, creating an additional five vernal pools in the woods along the asphalt trail. Ranger staff patrol by car, foot, and bicycle. Annual maintenance on nest boxes revealed a conservative count that 235 wood-duck hatchlings emerged from the boxes in 2016 -- an average of 3.7 ducklings per box. Shelter Rentals 1,056 reservations brought 58,677 visitors to park district facilities Volunteers assist with a variety of tasks throughout the year. Ranger Department Patrol Miles 52,278 miles driving 1,232 miles on bicycle 1,042 miles on foot Volunteers Generously donated 6,401.75 hours of service to the park district Interpretive Services Presented 150 school programs for 3,157 students Presented 401 public programs for 23,648 participants Over 25,000 individuals of all ages attended school or public programs in 2016.
Public Information 1,504 media contacts (program guides, news releases, etc.) 1,579 mailings (letters, newsletters, etc.) 14 speaking engagements and public displays A total of 26 memorial benches were constructed and installed by staff. Donations 92 donations to the Tree of Life and Memorial Bench programs totaling $17,270 17 in-kind donations totaling $4,607 Operations Department Approx. 3,200 hours of mowing at 21 park sites Cleaned before and after 1,056 shelter rentals Constructed and installed 26 memorial benches Operations staff mowed 3,200 hours at 21 park sites. Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park s playground is one of eight maintained by the park district. In 2016, the planning department oversaw the planting of 256 trees. Seasonal employee Kay Painter, with volunteer assistance, planted numerous shrubs and perennials at several sites. The staff maintains: 28 restrooms 19 vehicles 10 mowers 9 open-air shelters 8 playgrounds 7 rental houses 6 enclosed shelters 4 utility vehicles Plus tractors, trailers, and equipment Planning Department In 2016, the planning department oversaw the planting of 256 trees (1.5- to 2.5-inch caliper on average), including: Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park - 57 trees Buckeye Woods Park - 47 trees Killbuck Lakes - 33 trees Allardale East - 29 trees Buffalo Creek Retreat - 29 trees Wolf Creek Environmental Center - 19 trees Medina Marsh - 19 trees Green Leaf Park - 12 trees Seasonal employee Kay Painter, with volunteer assistance, planted numerous shrubs and perennials at Wolf Creek Environmental Center, Allardale East, Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, Green Leaf Park, and park district headquarters.
January A rare visitor at Allardale -- a Eurasian brambling finch -- draws hundreds of birding enthusiasts from as far away as California. Commissioner Dennis B. Neate is appointed to a fourth term on the MCPD Board of Commissioners by Medina County Probate Judge Kevin W. Dunn. MCPD contracts with the city of Akron for the purchase of 238 acres in Montville Township through the Ohio EPA s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program. The land will be a future park. February Bath Pony Club, which has its riding facilities at Allardale East, continues restoration of the former Ray Firestone estate barn. March MCPD presents March Migration Madness in partnership with the Medina Raptor Center. Friends of the Parks hosts its annual pancake breakfast at Buffalo Creek Retreat, including a wagon tour of the Fulton family farm's maple syrup operation. In partnership with the Akron Zoo, the interpretive services department and park district volunteers take part in a frog survey with FrogWatch, an international citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. April More than 2,100 visitors attend the annual Medina County Earth Day Festival at Buffalo Creek Retreat. 2016 Timeline Dennis B. Neate A major stormwater wetland management project is completed at Princess Ledges Nature Preserve. Made possible by a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency s Surface Water Improvement Fund, the project checks erosion to protect the ledges and stream habitat. Renovations are completed for the bridal room at Buffalo Creek Retreat and the reception area at MCPD headquarters. May MCPD interpretive services and natural resources staff join forces with Cleveland Metroparks to institute a periodical cicada survey of Medina County. A new cistern water system is installed at Green Leaf Park. June Friends of the Parks holds its annual meeting at Creative Therapy Ranch, operated by Medina Creative Housing in partnership with MCPD. MCPD celebrates the return of the 17-year periodical cicadas with a Cicada Crawl Fun Run/Walk and Cicada Mania at Wolf Creek Environmental Center. July The parking lot is expanded at Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park to accommodate the park s popularity with visitors. MCPD hosts its annual Stewardship Award Dinner at The Lodge at Allardale, honoring long-time park district legal counsel and volunteer John Jeandrevin. The baseball fields at Buckeye Woods Park are renovated. August Work continues on master plans for Lake Medina, Medina Marsh, and Buffalo Creek Retreat. John Jeandrevin
September Director Tom James and Interpretive Services Manager Shelley Tender lead a members-only Friends of the Parks bus tour of several MCPD parks and future park sites. November Volunteer Recognition Night celebrates MCPD s dedicated volunteers who donated 6401.75 hours of their time in 2016. Improvements are made to the Chippewa Lake Boat Launch area to facilitate better traffic flow. Bike Medina County hosts the inaugural Lake to Lake Harvest Bike Tour that visited several park district sites. October For the first time in its history, Chippewa Lake is closed to the public due to a harmful algal bloom. Hubbard Valley Lake in Hubbard Valley Park also was closed. Pioneers in the Park Festival The 32nd-Annual Pioneers in the Park Festival, part of the Medina County Fall Foliage Tour, draws 5,900 visitors to Buckeye Woods Park. Bill Stitt received the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award. December Director Tom James receives the Excellence in Public Service Leadership Award from Leadership Medina County. Chippewa Lake reopens to the public after algal toxins fall to acceptable levels. MCPD receives more than $2 million in Clean Ohio Fund grants for the purchase of 65-acres in Medina Township and 157 acres spanning Medina and Granger townships. Both sites will become future parks and protect key areas of the Rocky River corridor. Director James (on right)
2016 Expenditures Operations 12% Capital 43% Staffing 45% Staffing: $1,760,896 Capital: $1,660,000 Operations: $ 456,820 Total Expenditures: $3,553,221
2016 Income Cash Carryover 20% Fees, etc. 5% Local Gov't Fund 6% Real Estate Tax 69% Real Estate Tax: $3,127,847 Local Government Fund: $ 280,061 Fees, Permits, etc.: $ 222,577 Cash Carryover: $ 880,027 Total Revenue: $4,522,799