Parks staff describe H2Ohio wetland restoration, new cart paths and bridge replacement at city golf course

Ryan, a parks department staff member, told the Sandusky Boards & Commissions meeting that two projects are planned at the city golf course: a wetland restoration through an H2Ohio grant carried out with the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District, and a separate cart-path project to improve circulation and safety.

The restoration work will focus on wetlands on the course and is being coordinated with the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District under the H2Ohio grant. "It's our H2Ohio grama where they'll be doing a restoration of the wetlands there in those Creek Golf Course," Ryan said. He added staff had done a site walk and that preparations were on track though some work might roll into next season.

Staff presented details on a cart-path connector project intended to keep golf carts on designated routes. Ryan described where new paths will run, noting stake markings and pink flags on-site: "If you go to the course now, you'll see a bunch of pink flags that are, that line kind of where that route's gonna go, and it's part of that connector trail to make sure we have, you know, a way that if we want to let carts go out, you know, and have them stick to the cart path, we can do that." He said the design creates separate in-and-out routes near holes 1 and 9 to prevent two-way conflicts and will not affect holes already served by existing paths on the east side of the creek.

On bridges, staff said a more robust replacement for the bridge near Hole 5 is in the final-design stage. Ryan said a replacement is planned but "We don't have a final price on it, but I can bring that to the next meeting once we have one." He did not give a construction start date but said staff expect to announce a timeline when procurement is complete.

Ryan also said course improvements should increase playability and that the clubhouse-side work is on schedule: "we're on track to open April 1." No formal action or procurement award was recorded during the meeting; staff said they will return with final costs and timelines when available.

Plans and site markings discussed at the meeting indicate these projects are phased: the wetland restoration is coordinated with partner agencies and may continue into next year, while the cart-path connector aims for completion before the busy season. The bridge replacement remains contingent on final design and budget approval.

Staff said they will provide updated cost estimates and construction schedules at a future meeting.