Metroparks redeeming themselves - After the blunder over some land at Camp Miakonda, the Metroparks is back to saving land from development. The Metroparks had said that they didn't agressively go after the Miakonda purchase, because they felt they could buy more land at a cheaper price. The Miakonda land sold by the Boy Scouts was 52 acres and went for $4.4 million. This pending purchase is $810,000 and is for 100 acres of rare oak savanna. "...land that Lucas County once hoped would be a thriving industrial park. A county real estate committee is expected to recommend the commissioners accept the deal to sell land within Westwinds Industrial Park near Toledo Express Airport, according to John Alexander, the county’s chief of staff. Jim Spengler, director of the metroparks, said the park system wants to buy as much oak savanna as possible between Secor Metropark and Oak Openings Metropark so wildlife has room to migrate." I say, great job Toledo Metroparks.
More from the Blade story:
"Oak savanna hosts a variety of wildlife and rare plants like the Dotted Horse Mint. Mr. Spengler said the land would be preserved rather than developed into a recreation area like the system’s other parks. He said it’s possible that a bike trail could be developed between Secor Metropark and Oak Openings Metropark.
The deal is scaled back from a metroparks proposal in October to allow the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to buy land in the area that could be used for business development.
Mr. Spengler said the latest proposal was developed in conjunction with port authority staff members and marks a good compromise.
Brian Schwartz, spokesman for the port authority, said the agency is interested in purchasing some or all of the remaining 125 acres the county might sell in the area. He said the proximity to the airport and a rail spur gives the land potential for development."
posted by jr to environment at 1:47 P.M. EST
(No Comments)
tags:
environment
MetroParks
OakOpenings
Syndicate ToledoTalk
