Maumee city officials announced Dec. 2 that the city has been awarded a $91,544 NatureWorks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to replace the playground structure and surfacing at Ford Field.

Mayor McDonald told council the grant will fund part of a planned replacement of the play structure, and that staff will gather community feedback on the new equipment and materials prior to installation next year. Preliminary cost estimates cited during the meeting placed the total project cost at about $276,000; the NatureWorks program typically reimburses up to 75% of eligible acquisition, development and rehabilitation costs.

Officials said the existing playground, installed in 2003, is more than 20 years old and in an outdated condition; the area also has ongoing flooding issues that city staff plan to address with improved drainage work before installing the new play surface and equipment. The grant award was announced in late November; the city submitted the application in the spring.

Council members praised staff work on the grant. “That’s one of the most complained about playgrounds we have here. It’s old and needs some loving, so it’s great to see we’re going to get working on that,” Councilmember Friscus said. The mayor also thanked the finance director, Jennifer, for her role in preparing the application and securing the award.

City staff said Maumee’s award was the only NatureWorks award in Lucas County from this round and that the total program awarded more than $4 million statewide. Officials did not provide a final construction schedule or the project’s complete funding breakdown at the meeting; staff said those details will be finalized as the design and procurement process proceeds and after public input is collected.

What’s next

City staff will solicit community feedback on equipment selection and address drainage before replacing the playground; final project timeline and funding commitments will be provided once design and procurement are complete.