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ROSSFORD — The Edward Ford Memorial Renovation project has expanded with new outdoor features, as well as possible incorporation into the proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
The new conceptual artwork was shown at the council meeting on November 15, when the Convention and Visitor Bureau presented their plans for the 125th anniversary celebration.
City Administrator Allyson Murray explained some of the layout changes, which will include an expanded stage at the gazebo site, which includes outdoor seating, Edison light strings and an open area that can freeze in the winter, as a possible outdoor ice rink.
The location will be the starting point, or entrance, to the proposed DORA introduced later in that meeting.
Toledo Design Collective created the plan. The goal is to make the park a destination for arts and culture events, as a draw for visitors. The existing pavilion, or gazebo, will be expanded by adding a deck and removing fencing.
“It’s not going to stop anything going on on Stroll the Street and it’s going to give everybody a view of whatever’s going on in the back corner,” Murray said. “It’s going to have a lot of extra seating, because that’s always an issue during the Street Walk.”
The recent design changes were provided by Edge Landscape Architecture.
The park has been called the gateway to Rossford, by the RCVB. It honors Edward Ford, who is credited with developing Rossford as a “company town.” The park was built for the centennial celebration, but the RCVB struggled to use it for activities and programming. The renovation concept began in 2017, and Stroll the Street began in May 2019, followed by the launch of the “Building a Legacy Campaign, in November 2019.
Mayor Neil MacKinnon explained that the COVID pandemic has hampered the revitalization and renovation process, which includes securing funding through grants, sponsorships and donations. So far, the city has pledged up to $15,000 and a $2,500 ArtStart grant from the Ohio Arts Council has been secured, as well as a $2,000 Cultural Tourism Planning Grant from Ohio Humanities and $16,000 in sponsorships from NSG, IPS, Amazon, Genoa Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski LLC.
An online survey of Rossford residents, following the 2019 Stroll the Street, found that 88% of respondents did not know the park existed, had never been there or rarely visited. By the end of the 2022 season, the weekly event brings 300 to 500 participants to see live bands, 50 vendors and 20 food trucks.
Councilman Robert Ruse had comments about the changes.
“It’s good that we incorporate the space. I think I’m a little surprised that we’ve been on a path for five years, with a lot of fundraising, a lot of donated time from engineers and architects and a design firm with participation from the city, in a full different plan that we spent,” said Ruse. “It didn’t go through a committee to bring Edge to the concept. So, I guess from that aspect I’m very disappointed.”
Ruse said there were still materials purchased, which were scrapped, along with the earlier plan.
“It’s better,” MacKinnon said.
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