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<title>Metroparks of Toledo Area : Newsroom</title>
<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro</link>
<description><![CDATA[What's new and newsworthy in the Metroparks:]]></description>
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	<title>Wildwood Playground Competes For Pepsi Refresh Grant</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=3525</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Vote for our playground onine at www.refresheverything.com/wildwoodplayground.]]></description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:58:55 EST</pubDate>
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	<title>Federal Funds To Help Remove Dead Ash Trees</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=2768</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Posted January 28, 2010
&nbsp;
Metroparks and the USDA Forest Service will help keep the parks safe for visitors while creating jobs over the next two years as thousands of dead ash trees are removed near trails, roads and buildings.
The Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners will be contracting with companies from now through December 2011 to fell dead or dying ash trees infested by the emerald ash borer. The invasive Asian beetle has killed tens of millions of ash trees in 12 states and two Canadian provinces since 2002.
The urban ecosystem restoration project is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $1.3 million project will eliminate hazards by removing thousands of trees in public areas where falling trees and branches pose a risk to public safety or property.
The project will create or sustain about 15 private-sector "green" jobs in the arborculture and forest restoration industry while restoring forest ecosystems in the economically-challenged greater Toledo area. Additional jobs will be created as Metroparks hires crews to remove invasive species and restore natural landscapes in affected areas.
"The emerald ash borer has been devastating, and it could not have come at a worse time because of the current economic challenges," said Tim Gallaher, Metroparks land management supervisor. "This project will allow us to remove hazardous trees more quickly than we would have been able to do with our own resources. This is important because of the large number of dead ash trees we are seeing in the Metroparks."
The majority of the tree removal will be done at Pearson, Oak Openings Preserve, Secor and Wildwood Preserve Metroparks. The work will be overseen by two, new crew leaders added to the Metroparks staff.
During the project period, trails will be closed and detours posted.
The project, announced by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on July 22, 2009, is one of 191 Forest Service ARRA projects for facilities and trails. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act directs the Forest Service to improve, maintain and renovate public and administrative facilities. A listing of Forest Service ARRA projects and other information can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/recovery.

Emerald Ash Borer Timeline
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	<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:24:09 EST</pubDate>
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	<title>Construction Notices</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=3120</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Photo:&nbsp;An extensive&nbsp;renovation of the The Metz Visitor Center at Wildwood Preserve was recently completed. The Metroparks customer service office is now located at the historical building, which was once the Stranahan Family stables.
Sealing Work&nbsp;At Pearson
Beginning the week of June 21, asphalt sealing will begin at Pearson. The work will cause periodic closings of all paved surfaces in the park, including the main road and parking lots. The work is expected to last approximately two weeks, depending on weather.
Wildwood Red Trail Update
Work to&nbsp;improve&nbsp;the Red Trail at Wildwood is ongoing.
Wildwood Waterline
Thank you for your understanding during the construction of a new waterline at Wildwood. Work is now wrapping up and water service has been restored. Repairs to the landscape will be completed once the ground has settled.
Providence Maintenance Building
Reuben Construction is&nbsp;continuing work&nbsp;on the Providence Metropark maintenance building. The project will continue through April and will include roof repair, electrical wiring, a new concrete floor in the east garage, wall repair in the west shop, window replacement on the first floor and third floor, a new retaining wall near the structure and a new lean-to shed. The pole barn that holds vehicles will receive a new concrete floor. The work should not impact park visitors.
Side Cut Shelter
Work&nbsp;is also&nbsp;under way&nbsp;at the Side Cut Wayne Street shelter near the parking lot will continue. The roof and support posts that have been removed will be replaced with galvanized metal posts and roof. Repairs will also be made to mortar on the steps and shelter. A new, accessible ramp will be constructed to allow access from the bottom of the trail up to the shelter. The work will impact use of the trail and shelter. Signs have been posted identifying the work.
Repaving Projects
-&nbsp;1.88 miles of the&nbsp;Oak Openings Parkway from SR 295 to Girdham Road was recently repaved.
-&nbsp;A new 42-car parking lot and adjacent sidewalk&nbsp;will be constructed this summer at&nbsp;Bend View Metropark on US24. The park, which is currently accessible only by walking about two miles on the Towpath Trail from neighboring Farnsworth Metropark, will have its own entrance.
-&nbsp;A 12-car parking lot at a Metroparks field office on Fallen Timbers Lane in Maumee is also scheduled to be paved. The project also includes drainage improvements.
- A new, 1,000 feet of bike path connecting the eastern end of Jerome Road to Russell Road in Maumee wil be completed this summer. &nbsp;Work will include a new cul-de-sac on Jerome, drainage improvements and landscaping. The trail will eventually connect the Metroparks bike/pedestrian bridge over US24 with the Wabash Cannonball Trail.]]></description>
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	<pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:18:48 EST</pubDate>
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	<title>Oak Openings Trail Closed Due To Storm Damage</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=3394</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Oak Openings Preserve&nbsp;was closed for two days in early June after severe storms toppled and uprooted hundreds of trees, blocking roads and trails..&nbsp;The Silver Trail remains closed indefinitely because of extensive damage.&nbsp;No one was injured and no buildings were damaged within the park.]]></description>
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	<pubDate>Sun, 6 Jun 2010 16:52:19 EST</pubDate>
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<item>
	<title>Facts About Ticks</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=3333</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Fact sheet from The Ohio State University Extension.]]></description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:26:32 EST</pubDate>
	<guid><![CDATA[http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/newsroom/item.asp?item_id=3333]]></guid>
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<item>
	<title>Grants To Fund Land Purchases</title>
	<link>http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metro/item.asp?item_id=3118</link>
	<description><![CDATA[Metroparks received seven out of eight grants awarded recently from the Clean Ohio Fund to purchase land in the Oak Openings Region.]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:59:32 EST</pubDate>
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