Photo, top, courtesy of Doug Hinebaugh
Glass City is the start of bigger things to come, and a destination in its own right. A glass pavilion with rooftop plants and plazas, a sledding hill, walking paths, an event lawn for 5,000 people and incredible views of the city, the new park is a go-to spot beside the largest river on the Great Lakes -- the Maumee.
From beside the river to atop the pavilion or sledding hill, enjoy views of the Toledo skyline, historic Waite High School and the Anthony Wayne, Martin Luther King Jr., Craig Memorial and Veterans Glass City Skyway bridges.
What you see today is Phase 1, bordered by the Maumee River, Front Street, the Marina Lofts apartments and E. Broadway. But there is much more to come.
Phase 2, with an ice skating ribbon [The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark], adventure play areas and a campground, will be under construction in 2021-2022. A bridge over Main Street will connect Glass City with International Park, which will also be renovated as a new Metropark.
Glass City Riverwalk will connect both sides of the Maumee River, in East Toledo and downtown. See GlassCityRiverwalk.com for more details.
— Scott J. Savage, President of the Board of Park Commissioners
A separate contract has been awarded for construction of a bike and pedestrian bridge over Main Street to connect Glass City Metropark with the City of Toledo’s International Park.
Since September 2018, Metroparks has purchased 67 acres of riverfront land from ProMedica for just under $6 million, with more than $4 million of the purchase price paid for by the Clean Ohio Fund. A federal Department of Transportation grant will pay for nearly $1 million of the $1.2 million cost of the bridge. Additional funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Forest Service will support habitat restoration and reforestation.
— Dave Zenk, Executive Director of Metroparks Toledo
As construction on Phase I of Glass City Metropark has completed. Several grants recently awarded to Metroparks will help fund construction on Phase 2, roughly between E. Broadway and the National Museum of the Great Lakes:
— Dave Zenk, Executive Director of Metroparks Toledo
Joe Napoli
President, Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye and Hensville; Chairman, Metroparks Toledo Foundation
“Many riverfront communities have come to realize that they had turned their backs on their most important asset, a river. Although many rivers served an important industrial purpose at the beginning of the last century, today’s purpose is even more impactful. The Maumee River can serve multi-purposes: it can continue to serve commercial enterprises while also being a place to enjoy a vibrant, healthy lifestyle. By doing so, people in other communities have responded – they are moving back into a downtown setting, especially one that offers recreation on a riverfront.”
Randy Oostra
President and CEO, ProMedica
“There is strong evidence that parks stimulate economic development in local communities. The work of Metroparks Toledo along the riverfront will help strengthen nearby businesses and neighborhoods, attract new investments and bring visitors to the area. As an anchor institution headquartered in downtown Toledo, we are excited to see this level of progress in our community and look forward to having a first-class, waterfront park nearby.”
Sharon Speyer
President, Huntington Bank Northwest Ohio Region, and chair of the board of ConnecToledo
“Glass City Metropark is a forward thinking project that will make Toledo an even greater place to live, work and play. The enhancements to the Maumee River will be a catalyst for redevelopment in both Downtown and East Toledo. A revitalized riverfront will provide better access to the riverfront, more space for community events and places for people to enjoy natural amenities in an urban context. These plans are important to make our entire region more competitive. Making Toledo a great place to live is imperative to keeping local talent, and talent is essential for economic development.”
Peter Ujvagi
former Toledo City Council Member, District 3, East Toledo
“The start of the construction of Phase 1 of the Glass City Metropark in East Toledo marks the culmination of many years of collaborative work and investment to not only further open the Maumee riverfront to the residents of East Toledo, but to also begin the development of an exciting and adventurous new park that will attract regional and national attention to Toledo's riverfront and neighborhoods.”
Metroparks Toledo has several exciting opportunities for partners to participate in this transformative project. To learn more contact: Ally Effler 419-407-9708.
To help plan your event, the Customer Service Dept. holds open houses throughout the year in buildings at six Metroparks where you can see the facilities and talk with staff about your questions before you reserve a date.
A gift from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation will support Rain Towers, a group of five, functional sculptures by Toledo-based Graphite Design + Build.
Skate into Valentine's Day at Glass City's newest attraction! Bring yourself, your love, or your best buds to glide around the new ice skating ribbon under the night sky.