The Geauga Park District is moving forward on a South Franklin Street connection to Holbrook Hollows in Bainbridge Township thanks to a $375,000 grant from Ohio House Bill 687.
The Geauga Park District is moving forward on a South Franklin Street connection to Holbrook Hollows in Bainbridge Township thanks to a $375,000 grant from Ohio House Bill 687.
The GPD Board of Commissioners passed a resolution during its Jan. 17 meeting authorizing Deputy Director Matthew McCue to execute the community recreation/conservation project pass-through agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the expansion project.
“This resolution gives Matt McCue authorization to be the grantee and representative,” said GPD Executive Director John Oros.
H.B. 687, which passed in June of 2022, provides $3.5 billion for upgrading parks and community projects — with $725,000 earmarked for Geauga County — along with improving school safety through $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
McCue said in an interview after the meeting he was very pleased GPD is receiving the funding for capital improvements at Holbrook Hollows.
“The South Franklin Street access was part of the original master plan for the park developed in 2017. It will give a second access point to the park’s trail system off South Franklin Street,” he said. “This area will include a parking area, restroom, picnic shelter, natural play area and connection to the existing trails. We’ve been working on this project for almost a year now.”
McCue added the funding provides approximately 45% of the estimated construction costs and he looks forward to having additional access to Holbrook Hollows and the proposed Solon to Chagrin Falls trail that will run along that portion of the park.
“Construction is likely to begin by June 2023 and should be completed late in 2023,” he said.
Park commissioners also passed a resolution to advertise for bids for three 2023 capital improvement projects.
Bids for the projects included asphalt improvements for parking areas at Swine Creek Lodge for $275,000, the Franklin Street Connection at Holbrook Hollows for $820,000 and roof repairs to the Meyer Center at Big Creek Park for $130,000.
“We’re requesting to bid the project so we can see where our bids come in,” said Oros. “To see where they shake out.”
Commissioners also approved a request to advertise for bids for aggregate stone materials for planned annual trail maintenance and phase II improvements at Veterans Legacy Woods.
