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Perrysburg recreation committee reviews PABSC sponsorships, YMCA contract and Riverside prairie project
Summary
At a Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, members heard that local volunteers will seek sponsorships to replace aging backstops, the YMCA pool management contract is in its third year and a three‑year prairie grass project at Riverside Park will start with a roughly $56,000 first‑year cost under a Toledo Zoo partnership.
The Perrysburg Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee on Tuesday heard updates on volunteer-led field repairs, the city’s swim contract with the YMCA and a three‑year native‑grass project at Riverside Park.
Committee members were told that Perrysburg Area Baseball/Softball Club (PABSC) plans to replace several old backstops and will pursue corporate or community sponsorships to pay for the work. "They're going to be replacing some of the old backstops which were in desperate need of repair and replacement and they're going to go through sponsorship for those," Rick (Recreation Advisory Committee member) said during his report. He added the committee does not expect the replacements to cost the city directly because sponsors will purchase the materials or equipment.
The committee also discussed the city’s pool management arrangement with the YMCA. Rick noted the city is in the third year of a three‑year contract, meaning the agreement will come up for renewal or discussion next year. The meeting transcript recorded an unclear figure for current annual pool management costs described as "262 thousand $5.73"; committee members said the amount is roughly a quarter of a million dollars a year but did not provide a clarified dollar figure during the meeting.
Members asked whether consolidating recreation management under a dedicated recreation director might yield long‑term savings by organizing pools, programs and volunteer groups. "I think that we could end up saving money in the long run by spending money," Rick said, adding that such a role is a recurring talking point but not an imminent change.
The committee approved a three‑year partnership with the Toledo Zoo’s Wild Toledo program to establish native prairie grasses at Riverside Park. Rick said the initial, first‑year cost for the planting and startup is "a little better than $56,000," and the project should lower maintenance costs over time while improving habitat for pollinators. He cautioned the first year "will not necessarily look pretty" before the prairie establishes itself over subsequent seasons.
Committee members asked technical questions about plant species and specific locations on the Riverside slope; Rick said he had the planting plan sheet but could not name specific grasses during the meeting.
The committee's report also included a recap of routine seasonal preparations, outreach about spring program registration, and an upcoming spring cleanup date that staff expect to announce next week.
Ending: The committee did not adopt new policy during the report; the items were updates and project approvals that will return to staff or council as appropriate for contract or budget work.
