The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Springbrook Gardens plan flows forward
City manager indicates all-purpose building project not far behind
Springbrook Gardens Park plans continue to flow forward.
Mentor City Council on April 6 awarded a bid for Phase 2 of the wetland restoration project at the property, at 6842 Heisley Road.
The design-build contract went to Davey Resource Group of Kent for a total cost of $243,827. The company was one of four bidders.
The work involves the restoration and stabilization of the 650-foot Marsh Creek running through the eastern part of the park, restoring 1.5 acres of riparian habitat, improving water quality and aquatic habitat, and reducing sedimentation.
It also will provide for safe access to the creek, better aesthetics and low maintenance, Parks and Recreation Director Kenn Kaminski said.
This phase, along with the recently completed Phase 1, is completely funded by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant.
Construction, seeding and site stabilization is scheduled August through November, with woody plantings and invasive species treatment planned for spring 2022.
Phase 1 was completed last year. Prior to construction, the site had a deep, channelized stream with no floodplain access and limited wildlife habitat.
Through this portion, 2.75 acres of native riparian and wetland plant species were planted, and 2.25 acres of wetland were reconnected to the stream.
The restoration will allow sediment and other pollutants to be filtered from the water before entering Marsh Creek, slow stormwater flows and help alleviate downstream flooding, while improving aquatic habitat. The creek is connected to Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve.
In addition, walking paths were installed throughout the wetland to provide public engagement and education opportunities.
The city — in partnership with Chagrin River Watershed Partners, and Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District — was awarded $264,136 in funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for Phase 1.
City Manager Ken Filipiak noted that the city is fortunate to be bringing in outside resources for this project.
“We received half a million (dollars) in the state capital budget recently to begin to move forward — we’re coming very close to bidding out the project for the all-purpose facility out there, so Springbrook Park is really coming together very nicely,” he said.
Ward 1 Councilman Sean Blake added, “This exceeds my expectations, and I can imagine when it all grows in how beautiful it is going to be . ... It’s unique — just completely unique.”
The city acquired the 53acre former nursery property from the Schultz family for $2.5 million in 2014.