Erie MetroParks takes steps to improve park trails

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy about a development on the Steinen property.BERLIN TWP. — In preparation for a major walking event, Erie MetroParks workers made some major strides to improve a popular park.Amy Bowman-Moore, the park district's executive director, provided an update about ongoing tasks at Edison Woods MetroPark:• The work: "The Edison Woods MetroPark hydrology project has been an 18-month culmination of a water drainage study and trail upgrade, fortification and modification. All work is being completed in-house, with volunteers from the Erie County chapter of the Ohio Horseman's Council and the Friends of Erie MetroParks."• The reason: "Since Edison Woods MetroPark is a protected area, upkeep and maintenance must be planned to assure wetlands and meadows are not altered in any negative manner. The work needed (to be) completed because the trails were eroding and moving due to water drainage changes. If the trails are not updated every so often, the trails get water-logged and are not able to be used."• The uniqueness: "The 1,300-acre Edison Woods MetroPark is unique in the Erie MetroParks system because it is a popular place for equine use. Several groups bring their horses to this park and ride. The trails need to be hardy enough to support the horses."• The dedication: "The upgraded trails will be unveiled at the Friends of Erie MetroParks' Go Take a Hike event on Sept. 9."More Erie MetroParks updatesAmong some other noteworthy items happening in the park district, as explained by Bowman-Moore• Strengthening the Steinen area: "The Steinen area (on Cleveland Road) is being converted from a personal residence to a restored conservation area and will be opening as a public park in 2020. The cost in 2018 will be approximately $24,000, with another $25,000 expected to be spent in 2019. The costs cover the remanence of a commercial tree farm (that) needs to be eliminated, the drainage of the area needs upgraded, and habitat for small game and fowl will be planted. The house has already been removed, the Huron Fire Department used the house for a training exercise. This project is being completed with the assistance and partnership of the West Huron Youth Club."• Fortifying the Frost Center's roof: "The Frost Center roof project (at Osborn MetroPark) was basic facility maintenance. The south end of the roof was leaking during strong storms and needed repaired at a cost of $12,000. The project was completed in the second week of July."• Beautifying the Vermilion Beach Property: "The Vermilion Beach Property is an agreement with the city of Vermilion and Western Reserve Land Conservancy that Erie MetroParks will contribute a small percentage of the cost of the acquisition of beachfront property for the rights to hold the conservation easement on the parcel. The closing on the acquisition by the city of Vermilion from Western Reserve Land Conservancy will be sometime later in 2018. The agreed contribution for the land acquisition from Erie MetroParks is $68,800, which was planned and agreed to in fall 2017. This agreement will ensure the conservation of the beachfront along Vermilion's public waterfront and that the lakeshore will be accessible to the public in perpetuity."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.A before-and-after shot shows several improvements made at the trails within Edison Woods MetroPark.