$419,000 Access to Recreation Grant

On October 1, 2007, The Tiffin Charitable Foundation and its Project Partners were notified that its application was approved. The application outlines 5 Seneca County, Ohio, projects which will create accessibility for people with mobility challenges in accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. These improvements will provide easy access to existing and new recreational facilities and the beautiful and serene natural resources of Seneca County, including the scenic Sandusky River. The grant was funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, and administered by the Midwest Community Foundations' Ventures with assistance from the Council of Michigan Foundations, Donors Forum of Illinois and Ohio Grant makers Forum, with which The Tiffin Charitable Foundation has maintained membership for many years.  The 5 projects are:

(1) Schekelhoff Nature Preserve: Located north of the city of Tiffin and Huss Street Bridge, along North Water Street,  this 37-acres of woodland runs along a half mile of the scenic Sandusky River. It is named in honor of Ed and Anna Jo Schekelhoff, who were very active with the local, state and national Izaak Walton League. A pedestrian, wheelchair, walker, stroller, scooter, and other mobility vehicles trail running a half mile will be constructed. Trail extensions will lead to an accessible deck along the river and small shelter within the woods. 

(2)  Hedges-Boyer Park: Improved accessibility is planned for these 78 acres of woodland, wetland and recreational areas. The replacement of the Rock Creek bridge near the YMCA will now include accessible walkways on both sides! Accessible boardwalks will allow access into a large, natural wetland area populated by beautiful and interesting wildlife, plants and trees.  Accessible trail extensions will include resting benches and will provide accessibility to the existing ADA-compliant swimming pool, bandstand, tranquil Rock Creek, and to the baseball and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball and disc golf course.  Everyone will be able to access all aspects of this beautiful park and relax, enjoy or exercise.

(3) Opportunity Park: Located at the Seneca County Opportunity Center, this public park with brand new ADA-compliant playground equipment will become a wonderful place to visit, play and relax.  The existing gravel oval exercise track will be paved!  Nature trails will lead to accessible raised gardens for individual cultivation, picnic shelters, shade trees, flower beds and occasional, harmless wildlife.

(4) Zimmerman Nature Preserve: Formerly, informally known as the Willow Creek Park, the Seneca County Park District on December 12, 2007, honored its devoted Director Roland Zimmerman by officially naming this new nature preserve after him! It is 4.7 acres on the eastern boundary of the city of Tiffin on State Route 18, next to the Autumnwood Care Center.  It was designed by the residents and staff of Autumnwood and includes most of their "wish list".  An accessible trail leads to an accessible boardwalk into the natural woodland and wetland along Willow Creek.  An accessible observation deck and picnic shelter will be constructed along the boardwalk.  Raised, accessible gardens and a water well will be created for individual cultivation.  Restroom availability at Autumnwood Care Center is a project plus. Wheelchair swings for children and adults will complete the possibilities for fun and relaxation.

(5) Tiffin University Nature Preserve: An eternal easement has been recorded giving public access to this vast 29 acres of woodlands and wetlands where development has already begun laying the foundation for accessible nature trails, a gazebo, picnic area and resting benches throughout. An accessible trail extension leads to the university's athletic facilities, where everyone is always welcome.

Several of the projects are now, as a result of the Access to Recreation grant, able to submit for additional funding to improve parking areas and provide for other amenities.  The Seneca County Park District plans to provide educational programs at these locations when the projects are finished:  March 31, 2009, the grant deadline.

 The Tiffin Charitable Foundation extends many thanks to the following Project Partners who graciously and generously volunteered their time and talents and ideas and advice during many meetings held the spring of this year to develop the projects and grant application:
Mike Baltzell \ Work Connections - Tom & Paula Bartlett \ Friends of the Parks - Dr. John Bing \ Tiffin Park Board - Commissioner Mike Bridinger \ Seneca County - Paul Burtis \ Dell, Burtis & Anspach and Tiffin Charitable Foundation - Mel Covell \ Tiffin Developmental Center - Mary Lee Creeger \ Autumnwood Care Center - Suzanne Donaldson \ Tiffin Charitable Foundation - Steve Dryfuse \ Tiffin Parks & Recreation Department - Andy Felter \ Webster Industries and Tiffin Charitable Foundation - Tom Giebel \ Kiwanis Manor - Brian Glover \ Commission on Aging - Bernie Gosche \ Seneca County Opportunity Center - Carylon Griffin \ Allen Eiry Senior Center - Paul Harrison \ Regional Planning Commission - Mayor Bernie Hohman \ City of Tiffin - Brent Howard \ Supance & Howard and Tiffin Charitable Foundation - Mayor Barbara Jacoby \ Village of Bloomville - Vicki Johnson \ The Advertiser-Tribune - Barbara Joseph \ Advisor - John, Cindy & Beth Kolbe \ Advisors - Mark Leahy \ Seneca County Opportunity Center - Cindy Meeker \ Tiffin Developmental Center - Cindy Miller \ Advisor - Gary Miller \ Tiffin Community YMCA - Caroline Mingus \ Project Co-Manager - Tyson Pinion \ Tiffin University - Sister Rita \ St. Francis Earth Literacy Center - Linda Rose \ Seneca County Park District - Malinda Ruble \ Seneca County Visitors Bureau - Wayne Stephens \ City of Tiffin - Elaine Thom \ Retired Teachers Association - Cindy Voorhees \ Seneca County Health Department - Roland Zimmerman \ Seneca County Park District and Project Co-Manager - Dr. Roy Zinn \ Seneca County Park District.

$96,000 of the $419,000 Access to Recreation grant is designated for administration and convening and does not require a local match.  However, $193,000 matching funds is needed for project purchases and $134,000 matching funds for an endowment fund (to be held at The Tiffin Charitable Foundation) to provide for maintenance of the projects.  So, for every $1 contributed ~$1.28 is granted.  $327,000 total matching funds are needed. The total of project grant plus matching funds is $746,000, all of which is going to go a long way, for a very long time toward making everyone, Seneca County resident or visitor, able to access nature and recreation.

To help reach the match, please make checks payable to "Access to Recreation" and mail to The Tiffin Charitable Foundation, 68 S. Washington Street, Tiffin, OH  44883.

For more information, email the Foundation at adm@tiffinfoundation.org

or phone (419) 448-1791, or visit website www.accesstorecreation.org

or The National Center on Accessibility website at www.ncaonline.org

Financials

A copy of the financial statements, audited financial report and IRS Forms 990 are available upon request.

Phone The Tiffin Charitable Foundation (419) 448-1791 or email adm@tiffinfoundation.org

IRS Form 990 may also be accessed at www.guidestar.org

Professional services are provided by:

UBS Financial Services, Merrill Lynch, Fifth Third Asset Management, and Pry Professional Group.

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2007 Annual Report