Glass City Metropark is the recipient of the 2023 Governor's Award, a best of show honor, in a contest by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. The award was announced February 6 during a banquet at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.

"This project is a testament to what can be accomplished when residents, businesses and government leaders work together toward a common goal: To transform our riverfront from a relic of our past to an asset for our future," said Lorenzo Melchor, park supervisor, when accepting the award before more than 1,000 parks and recreation professionals from across Ohio.

A committee selects the Governor's Award winner from three finalists chosen from among the first place finishers in the contest categories.

Glass City won first place in a category for capital improvement projects costing $2.5 million or more.

The park represents approximately 25 percent of a long-range plan to develop Glass City Riverwalk on both sides of the Maumee River from the Veterans Glass City Skyway to the Anthony Wayne Bridge.

"If we stopped with the opening of the park on June 9, we accomplished something significant for the Toledo area," said Dave Zenk, executive director of Metroparks Toledo. "But this really is only a start, and future phases are already under construction to create the best riverfront in the nation."

“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”

Metroparks Toledo won the 2018 Governor's Award for Howard Marsh Metropark in Jerusalem Township. It is the only park system to win the award twice.

More Information

Ohio Parks and Recreation Association announcement

About Glass City Riverwalk

Lorenzo Melchor, park supervisor of Glass City, speaks at the ORPA dinner accompanied onstage by more then 25 coworkers.