July 3 Fireworks Display

Sylvania Township is making preparations to support the annual fireworks display over Centennial Terrace during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, which is coordinated by the Sylvania Recreation District with the support of Sylvania Township and the city of Sylvania.

Referring to the company which puts on the display, Fire Chief Mike Ramm stated, “We’ll be with them as soon as they get here and pretty much stay with them until after the fireworks are over. We’ll be back at the site the next morning as well, just to be sure no unexploded shells are around.”

Chief Ramm said the company, which will be setting off the display, usually arrives 24 to 36 hours before the July 3 display. On the day of the fireworks, the department has equipment and personnel both at Centennial Terrace and at Pacesetter Park in case there is an issue requiring an immediate response. Ramm noted that Richfield Township usually sends a crew that stands by at Central Trail Elementary School near Mitchaw and Brint roads. 

Weighing in on preparations, Police Chief Paul Long said, “Everybody knows you have to work on the third of July. Officers will be assigned to traffic duty in directing vehicles into and away from the area after the display.”
Final details of permitted traffic flow have been made and a map is available for the public. “We want everyone to know in advance where there is no parking and what streets will become one-way for the event.”

Chief Long added that he and his officers know there can be frustration for drivers leaving the area after the fireworks, but if everyone cooperates with the plan and follows the directions of officers, “it’s just going to be a lot better for everyone.” 

According to Sylvania Recreation District Operations Manager Mike McMahon, “Sylvania Recreation will once again provide two different options for viewing the fireworks show. Centennial Terrace will have live music by 56DAZE, and family friendly activities beginning at 7 pm.”

McMahon continued, “Pacesetter Park is another great option for viewing the fireworks show. Pacesetter Park will offer inflatable play features and the opportunity for families to set up “picnic style” on the 100+ acres of grass area. For additional details, please visit centennialterrace.org.”

Parking Lot Improvements

Recently, the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees took action to award a contract to Henry W. Bergman, Inc. for parking lot improvements at the Police Department on King Road ($134,293), parking lot improvements at Fire Station 4 on Sylvania Avenue ($121,119), and parking lot improvements at Township Hall on Holland-Sylvania Road ($63,377).

The bids submitted by Henry W. Bergman, Inc. were below the initial estimates for project completion and within the planned budgets established by the township.

Regarding the parking lot improvements, Township Administrator Oliver Turner said, “Individually the departments had been looking to make improvements to their parking lots. As a township, we identified that completing the projects under one contract would lead to cost savings and efficiencies. The improvements represent an investment in and stewardship of public infrastructure.”

Improvements are expected to be completed by Oct. 1. Signage will be displayed notifying the public when the projects are actively being undertaken.

Adopt-A-Road

The Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful program has gained an additional participant in its Adopt-A-Road program. Sylvania Township employees have partnered with the program to beautify Holland-Sylvania Road from Brint Road to Sylvania Avenue as well as Sylvania Avenue from Holland-Sylvania to Corey roads.

Township employees engaged in the first clean up of 2022 on April 8 and passing motorists saw them in action again on June 17. The first clean-up involved 13 participants from the Administration, Zoning, and Road & Service Departments who collected up 48 bags of trash.

According to Rachel Tippett, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful Community Engagement Specialist, the Adopt-A-Road program was first kicked off in May 1997 in Lucas County. In addition, there are currently 27 groups enrolled in the Lucas County program covering 46.45 miles of Lucas County roadway.

Under program rules, members are responsible for cleaning a two mile stretch of roadway a minimum of three to four times a year for a five-year period. In return, signs are installed on-site displaying the name of the participating organization or group.

Interested groups are welcome to contact Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful at engagement@ktlcb.org to learn more.

Distinguished Citizen Service Award

Many of us are fortunate enough to know someone who causes us to think, “Where do they find the time?” The one with the full-time job, three kids who play soccer, seems to be on every committee and you know has spent years on the board of an organization that works to improve the community. Think they should get an award?
Well, Sylvania Township agrees! There’s a deadline of July 29 for the nomination of residents to be considered for the Sylvania Township “Distinguished Citizen Service Award.” The award is meant to recognize a resident just like that. A resident of the Sylvania community whose voluntary efforts have improved the community but have largely been undertaken quietly.

The award will honor those who have made, “a significant contribution to the Sylvania community and/or Northwest Ohio.  The purpose of the award program is to shine a light on the high-impact volunteers who have given of themselves for the betterment of the community and their fellow citizens.”

The program specifically excludes elected officials from consideration or anyone who may have already been honored by the naming of a street, park, or other public space after them.

Anyone from Sylvania Township or the city of Sylvania who would like to nominate someone to be considered for the honor should direct the nomination to Oliver Turner, administrator of Sylvania Township. Turner can be reached via email at Oturner@sylvaniatowship.com, or by mailing or dropping off a nomination at the Sylvania Township Administration Building, 4927 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd., Sylvania, 43560.