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Council OKs state-funded purchase to protect Mudbrook wetland parcel
Summary
Council authorized a grant application and the city’s purchase agreement with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to acquire roughly 38 acres (Mudbrook Wetlands) for conservation and passive public access, with the purchase funded through Clean Ohio / grant programs.
Stow City Council voted Thursday to authorize a purchase agreement with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and to file a Clean Ohio Conservation grant application to acquire roughly 38 acres identified as the Mudbrook Wetland Preserve project.
The resolution (Res. 25-078) directs the mayor to sign related documents required for an Ohio Public Works / Clean Ohio grant application and authorizes the city finance director to allocate matching or related funds if required. Western Reserve Land Conservancy staff briefed council during committee and city staff said the proposed transaction would be funded by Clean Ohio conservation-program grants and related sources; the city’s resolution covers the administrative step required to formalize the application and purchase.
City officials told council the site contains wetlands and valuable open space and would become a publicly owned passive park with walking trails if acquisition and grant approvals are completed. Parks volunteers and one Parks Board member at the meeting noted the city’s adopted 2022 parks-and-recreation master plan identified the need for more natural parkland and additional off-road walking trails; several council members said the project aligns with the plan’s priorities.
Council discussion was brief and supportive during the public meeting; council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote. The legislation authorizes the city to accept grant funding and to work with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy on closing and future park planning. Officials emphasized that closing costs and acquisition logistics would be covered through the grant framework and the conservancy’s assistance.
What’s next: The city will submit the Clean Ohio conservation grant application and complete necessary administrative steps; if the grant is awarded, staff will return with final acquisition paperwork and a plan for passive public access and trail development.
— Transcript excerpts: Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Planning Department staff presentations; council passage of Res. 25-078.
