Two projects by Metroparks Toledo -- the expansion of Howard Marsh and a glow-in-the-dark outdoor expo at Glass City -- received first place awards in an annual contest sponsored by the Ohio Park and Recreation Association.

The awards were presented January 31 at a banquet during OPRA’s annual Conference and Trade Show at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky.

The addition to Howard Marsh, a restored wetland near the Lake Erie shore in Jerusalem Township, received first place in the Natural Resources and Conservation category.

The expansion added 228 acres of restored coastal wetland and associated upland habitat. It also added walking trails with a boardwalk extending into the marsh, additional water trail and a kayak launch.

With the additional acreage, opened in October, Metroparks has now restored 987 acres of former farmland back to wetland habitat through a public-private; local, state and federal partnership. Phase 1 of the project opened in 2018.

Glow-tacular A Great Time at Glass City

Glow-tacular, a nighttime event at Glass City Metropark held in September, won first place in the Recreation Programs and Events category.

The first time event, which attracted more than 2,000 people, invited participants to try a 32-foot-tall climbing wall, kayaking in a large pool, archery, a mountain bike course and other activities.

All activities were held in the dark at the East Toledo park.