Ottawa County park district hires executive director

PORT CLINTON — The board of park commissioners for the Park District of Ottawa County has hired a new executive director. Jannah Wilson will be the new executive director of the park district. Wilson comes to the park district with an extensive background in parks and recreation. She has 15 years of experience with Lorain County Metro Parks as a naturalist and later outdoor experiences manager. Prior to her position with Lorain County Metro Parks, she worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the city of Holland, Michigan. As a resident of Ottawa County, Wilson is passionate about serving the public and providing outdoor resources to the local communities, according to an event statement. Wilson has assumed her role as the executive director for the park district and is working with the park commissioners to move forward with several projects. Currently, the district is working to develop multi-use trails throughout Ottawa County to connect people to parks and places. This January work is being done to apply for a grant to complete the Genoa to Millbury section of the North Coast Inland Trail. This piece will continue the recently completed Elmore to Genoa section. Receiving the grant will enable the district to leverage money received from a levy approved in 2020 and bring a portion of the state and federal money available for grants to Ottawa County. The park district is also working on initial trail plans and route design for a proposed Catawba Island trail. Local residents have been very supportive and involved with the trail planning process. The park district is also looking at all areas of the county for trail opportunities. In addition to trail projects, Wilson will be working to develop grant opportunities for local entities to apply for funds from the park district. More information related to district grants will be available this spring.