A first glimpse offered of East Side’s Glass City Metropark

            Members of the media got guided hardhat tours Thursday at Glass City Metropark, now under construction on the east side of the Toledo riverfront.
        “Interest in the first phase of park development, and plans for Glass City Riverwalk, has been tremendous,” said Dave Zenk, executive director of Metroparks Toledo. “We want to give people the opportunity to see what’s happening at the construction site and learn more about the rare opportunity we have to turn our riverfront into a world class destination.”
        Phase 1 of Glass City, which will be completed this fall, will include:
• A 3,500-square-foot pavilion with restrooms, a concession window and green roof. The building will accommodate 150 people.
• Rooftop plaza space
• An event lawn that will accommodates 5,000 people for special events
• A sledding hill
• Aggregate and asphalt walking paths
• Water access for fishing, canoeing/kayaking
• Shoreline restoration
• Reforestation with more than 2,000 trees as well as prairie plants
• Stormwater wetlands and bioswales
• A boardwalk over water with seating
• The realignment of Riverside Drive
• A 70-vehicle parking lot
• A new curb cut for park access from E. Broadway Street
        A separate contract is expected to be awarded late this year for construction of a bike and pedestrian bridge over Main Street to connect Glass City with International Park. The bridge will be build next spring.
        "The construction of the Glass City Metropark is an important step to the revitalization of the riverfront and the East Toledo Community,” said District 3 Councilwoman Theresa Gadus. “Four years ago, I was one of many people that gathered for community input. There were so many great, diverse ideas and desires the community wanted to see. The Metropark had a large order to fill and I was pleasantly blown away that their plan incorporated everything our community desired and more.
        “As Phase one is closer to completion, I believe that this will be a catalyst for carrying this energy of revitalization throughout the rest of East Toledo. The Metroparks have been an amazing partner and I do believe this will be a destination for not only East Toledoans, but for all of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan."