Sylvania: Olander Park System growing

2/8/2006
BY MIKE JONES
BLADE STAFF WRITER

New enough that it doesn't yet have a name, parkland owned by Olander Park System, between Sylvania Avenue and Brint Road, has grown to 100 acres by means of a lease agreement with Hanson Aggregates Midwest Inc.

The agreement adds 40 acres to the existing parkland.

The result of lengthy negotiations, the agreement allows for, among other things, construction this year of 2.2-miles of a 3.2-mile bicycle path between Timberstone Junior High School and the area of Fossil Park.

The park system will also get a house on Brint Road that will be used as a seasonal office for employees working on parkland in the western portion of the township.

The 40 acres leased by Hanson to the park system runs along the eastern edge of the 60 acres owned by Olander.

The park site is just east of Michaw Road.

Gary Madrzykowski, director of the system, said commissioners have agreed to construct a fence separating the bike path from Hanson-owned quarries north of Brint Road.

Cost of the fencing is estimated to be $250,000, Mr. Madrzykowski said. He said the work is necessary as a safety measure because the quarries are filled with water.

Hanson has agreed to supply aggregate for the base of the bicycle path.

The value of that contribution is about $140,000, according to Mr. Madrzykowski. The lease is for 25 years with two 25-year options.

In addition to the lease agreement, Hanson will allow for an easement on property for the construction of a bike path north of Brint that will connect to the area at Sylvania-Metamora Road, which has Centennial Terrace & Quarry, Pacesetter Park, and Fossil Park, just to the south of those two recreation spots.

A path of about 1 mile originally built for golf carts runs along the western edge of the property between Sylvania and Brint.

A loop will be created with the bike path construction along the western edge.

A bicycle lane along Brint can be used to reach the leg that will run north from Brint.

Cost of the new trail is estimated at about $500,000. The park system has obtained a grant of $325,000 from the state to pay toward that total.

The trail should be ready for use this July, Mr. Madrzykowksi said.

A drive from Brint to parking area is also planned. Fossil Park this summer will also see improvements, with the extension of water and sewer lines to the park and the construction of a building with a small office and public restrooms.

Contact Mike Jones at:

mjones@theblade.com

or 419-724-6096.