50 North cultivates green space

FINDLAY — 50 North — which has already renovated and expanded its facility on East Melrose Avenue — is moving outside for the third and final phase of an overall plan for the campus. A Green Space Project now underway will add a walking path, covered pavilion, accessible restrooms and emergency phones, pergola and a new Chore Services building, as well as expand the number of raised garden beds and add additional parking spaces. "People like just the fresh air and being out. And the socialization is so good for them," said Executive Director Carolyn Copus. "I think the campus will be complete with this." The projected cost is about $3 million, she said, adding that the goal is to raise $2.5 million. Recently, she said, the senior center was $9,000 away from hitting the $2 million dollar mark. "We still have half a million dollars that we want to raise," said Copus. "We've been very fortunate in this community for people that have a passion for older adults and enriching lives and supporting independence of older adults in Hancock County." She credited Gary and Jane Heminger and Garry and Kathy Peiffer for stepping up to help. "Jane and Gary said they're out in the community and so many people go up to them and thank them for their investment into 50 North. And they were just proud of what 50 North is doing for our county and our older adults in Hancock County," said Copus. The senior center has always planned for this to be the third phase of the project, she said. "In 2014-15, when we started planning for this whole campus because we're on about 7.2 acres, phase one was to renovate when we currently had. We had to transition it from the AMVETS to a senior center," she said. Phase two saw a building expansion with phase three being the green space area on the west side of campus. "A pavilion will have ADA-accessible family bathrooms out there. And then the pavilion will have some tables and chairs, and we could have an art class out there," Copus said. The additional space is welcome, she noted. In the past three years, daily membership at the center has nearly doubled from fewer than 500 to over 900 individuals. "So even though we opened up with the new building in June of 2021, we're in some cases, in some areas at peak times, running out of room," she said. "This will also allow us to push some more activities in another space, and its outside. And we can do that six to seven months out of the year." The walking path will be a safe, secure area for seniors. About eight laps around the path will equal a mile. "There will be cameras out there and a call light system out there so if someone does fall, it will alert the main desk," she said. The path is just for older adults — no animals or children. "Why are we restrictive? People that have mobility issues and you have dogs or children out there, they just aren't aware of their movements sometimes. And we want to prevent falls, and that becomes kind of a fall risk," she said. The path will be accessible from dawn to dusk. A new Chore Services building will provide a space to keep the center's vehicles and equipment more secure against break-ins and out of the weather, she said. The building will also have a woodworking shop that provides a place for the staff to build ramps and needed mobility devices, and space for member workshops like woodworking and DIY projects. Copus said the raised garden beds will be in metal containers in front of the Chore Services building. An additional six containers will be added as there is always a waiting list, she said. "There will be drainage down into the soil, but around the raised bed troughs, it will be cement. So wheelchairs and walkers, it will be much easier for them to maneuver around their raised bed," explained Copus. They also hope to arrange for some classes to help people with the hobby and to teach them how to use the food and herbs they grow. Benches will be placed around the green space so members can sit and relax. "Each time, before we started the renovation and expansion, we paid off the note to purchase this building, then we started the expansion and renovation," she said. "We paid off the expansion and renovation last month before we started the last phase." "This is the last phase on the campus so it's always nice to have debt paid down before you start a new project," she added. "And so that's just been our philosophy, the board's philosophy." Levy dollars 50 North receives are earmarked for senior services and maintenance of the facility, she said. "When we build new, we don't use levy dollars. We use the fees that we raise and also fundraising dollars that we've raised," said Copus. Major donations are also aiding in the project. Copus said the Peiffers are naming the pavilion and the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is naming the gardens, while Carole Shaffner is naming the Chore Services building. The Hemingers, she said, are naming the whole campus. Then a group of donors, including the Reineke Family dealership, Ohio Logistics, Rotary, Blanchard Valley Health System and Copus' family, have all contributed to name the walking path in memory of her father, James C. Schrader. "He worked many years on the board of Winebrenner and Birchaven so he always had a passion for older people and making sure they had a place to live in their later years," said Copus. The pergola has yet to be named. That opportunity is available for $50,000, she said. Copus said 50 North members are being encouraging to give something towards the project, whether its $5 or $5,000. Donations can also be made in the form of a five-year pledge, she said. "We always think it's important for people to give back to what they participate in," said Copus. 50 North will be donating with funds provided by the collection of fees and donations. She added that the project will not mean any increase when voters are asked to renew a 1.2- mill tax levy for senior services in November. Work on the space started in the fall. Copus said the estimated completion, depending upon the weather, is August or September. Call 50 North at 419-423-8496 for more information about the project. Informational programs on the project will be presented at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday. Register at Member Services or by calling the above phone number.