The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
SUMMERTIME FUN
Lorain County Metro Parks has plans set in city
The Lorain County Metro Parks has a number of facilities in Avon for patrons to enjoy this summer, with hopes of new facilities in the future, according to director James Ziemnik.
He said the real crown jewel of the city, as far as the Metro Parks’ properties, is the Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road.
The nature preservation also features a conservatory which displays plant life from around the world and offers patrons the opportunity to explore the unique plant life by walking the trails within the conservatory.
Ziemnik said the facility offers summer programming, but the schedule has yet to be finalized.
Miller also features The Orchid Room, which was formerly a restaurant and event hall, but Ziemnik said the facility has shifted its function.
“It’s still open for lunches there, but we have a new caterer who works the special events that are usually held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons,” he said.
Ziemnik also highlight the facility’s butterfly house, but was unable to give an opening date. He said the park purchases the chrysalis, from which the butterflies will emerge, from the state.
“It always varies as to when (the state) will deliver,” he said. “It varies because of weather and temperature.” Echo the parrot is a permanent resident of the conservatory at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road in Avon.
Ziemnik said the Metro Parks added a new garden to the grounds, but he had not been there himself to see it yet.
While there isn’t much else going on with the Metro Parks in Avon, Ziemnik said the district is looking to expand the trails at the nature preservation.
“There are a couple property owners who are giving us consideration to allow us access, like an easement or an acquisition,” he said. “If that happens, we’ll be able to extend our trail that goes off the backside of Miller Nature Preserve.”
Ziemnik said the Metro Parks is planning a new location on land they own at the corner of Riegelsberger and Jaycox roads.
“We’re going to be building an amazing, just enormous, wetlands stream restoration project that’s going to be a significant change to the landscape,” he said.
The project will restore a stretch of the French Creek by reclaiming storm water currently being diverted away from the creek by houses in the area, Ziemnik said.
The plan also calls for an excess of 100,000 cubic feet of soil to be removed from the site, expanding the flood plain area, creating wetlands and creating a deep water habitat.
“(This) will allow fish to survive (and) will support wildlife,” he said. “It does fall within some migratory patterns, so we’ll get some birds that’ll stop there.
“If you follow French Creek to the south, Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville isn’t too far away,” he continued. “It’s kind of like the midpoint between the lake and Sandy Ridge. We’ll get a lot of birds there.”
Ziemnik said the site will also feature pedestrian trails and will eventually connect to trails at Schwartz Road Park, which is operated by Avon Parks and Recreation, but is a long way off.
“This summer that’s not going to happen,” he said. “There’s way too much work to get done.”
According to Ziemnik, the project was delayed by the recent change in the federal administration.
“The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers kind of shut their doors a little bit, so we couldn’t get their final comments and approval,” he said. “We won’t get that until the end of April.”
With the delay, Ziemnik said construction on the project will probably begin in fall of this year, and he expects it to be completed in 2019.
Ziemnik also advised anyone interested in programs at any of the Lorain County Metro Parks grab a copy of the district’s publication, Arrowhead. Schedules of programs and events can be found inside.