Sylvania: Committee will help strengthen community ties

4/6/2005
BY MIKE JONES
BLADE STAFF WRITER

An oversight committee for The Olander Park System is being revived as a means "of having a stronger connection with the community,'' according to parks director Gary Madrzykowski.

An oversight committee was formed about five years ago as a result of negotiations concerning the development of Fossil Park. Since that park has been in operation, the committee meetings have been few, Mr. Madrzykowski said.

He said the committee was valuable for suggestions during the formation of Fossil Park and the system is again in a position where new property acquisitions are being developed.

Mr. Madrzykowski said he will ask the oversight committee to pay particular attention to the new acreage the system is developing between Sylvania Avenue and Brint Road, east of Mitchaw, and the bike path that will run through it and go to Fossil Park and beyond.

Although he would like the group to concentrate on those projects, "I want them to keep looking at the system as a whole.

"They can be an additional set of eyes and ears and they are people with ideas.''

The committee is made up of a representative from Sylvania, Sylvania Township, the Sylvania schools and someone from Hanson Aggregates Midwest.

Hanson owns the Fossil Park land and has other real estate holdings near where the park is developing property.

Mr. Madrzykowski said he's not just looking for them to find things that might be done better, but "Maybe they'll

take a look and suggest something and I'll be saying, 'Why didn't I think of that?'"

John Borell, Jr., a Sylvania city councilman who has been appointed to the oversight committee, said he's looking forward to the assignment.

"First, I think Olander is a jewel to the community, and I've always been glad for the foresight of the people who established it.'

"I think it's a nice example of the kinds of things which can be done when there is cooperation," between different interests in the community.

Other members are George France, assistant fire chief, representing Sylvania Township; and Jack Smith, principal of Timberstone Junior High School. Hanson has not yet named a member to the committee, Mr. Madrzykowski said.

Having an oversight committee with members from different segments of the community is a plus when the system is looking for grants from state and federal agencies, he said.

The group is to meet April 12 and Mr. Madrzykowski said it is likely it will, among other things, establish a regular meeting schedule.