HPD accepts grant for Big Oaks paving

The Hancock Park District board this week approved about $84,089 in state metroparks grant funds received for the Big Oaks Activity Area paving project. The funds, from the Ohio Department of Transportation, were placed in the capital improvements account. The board also accepted the county budget commission's 2021 levy fund estimate of more than $1.514 million generated by the 0.80 tax levy. Through August this year, the tax has generated a net sum of over $1.516 million. The funds provide for day-to-day park district operations and the community parks grant program. A review of the statement for the park district's Blanchard River Greenway Trail Fund, overseen by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, had an ending balance of about $457,003. A majority of the account was from a gift received in 2015, director Gary Pruitt said. "There will be a day when this will be necessary (funding) for trails," he told the board. Also, Coldwater Consulting, Galena, is handling the design of the wetlands project at Oakwoods Nature Preserve. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the progress, Pruitt said, and now the design will be ready by mid-October. Bids will be sought in November, and moving dirt is anticipated beginning in December. Work is expected to continue into May 2021. The park district has been in contact with the state to provide progress reports on the project, Pruitt said.