Heritage Trails Park District budget slashed

WAPAKONETA - Funding for 2015 was slashed by more than half for the Heritage Trails Park District.

The bleak financial news at the group's year-end meeting Tuesday was accompanied by an announcement that part-time executive director Allison Brady and board commissioner Jim Heinrich plan to retire.

The park district's 2015 budget - recently approved by Auglaize County Commissioners - was cut from $54,604 this year to $20,809.

The district's state funding has been cut by 75 percent during the last several years, Brady said. The organization unsuccessfully in November attempted to pass a 6-mill, 7-year levy that would have given the district $554,783 per year.

Brady, who fills a paid position, on Tuesday said she will retire Dec. 31. Heinrich, a volunteer, said he will retire sometime in 2015.

Brady has served as part-time director for six years, filling the position in January 2008, and has worked in the public sector for 31 1/2 years. Heinrich has served as a commissioner since the park district's founding in 1996.

"I'm worn out; I just don't have the energy I used to have," Heinrich said about his decision. "It's time to find somebody new to fill the position that can do a better job than I'm able to do moving forward."

Heinrich said he would remain with the board into 2015 to see the district into its next phase.

"I did agree to stay on for reappointment," he said. "We're losing Allison with great regret. ... But sometime before the end of 2015, it'll be my time to step aside."

Commissioner Dave Stilwell said Heinrich will be missed and added his unpaid position will need to be filled when he leaves.

"Obviously we're looking for someone who's passionate about what we're trying to accomplish and can bring some of the same enthusiasm and knowledge that Jim has brought us these many years," he said.

Brady said she is resigning due to the district's slim budget.

"Our budget is in dire straits," she said. "With the spend down in surplus and cut in local government funds, I will be tendering my resignation."

Stilwell said Brady had been discussing her retirement with them since before the levy failed. Because it did not pass, her resignation is necessary, he said.

"Her retirement is something that she's earned from a lifetime of service to not only our park district but other park districts and the Ohio State Extension Office; she's done a lot," he said.

Stilwell noted the new budget does allow some room for a contract or very limited part-time employee to help cover some of the work Brady handled. That person would work about 20 hours per month, he said.

"We do plan to hire some type of person ... for very limited hours and very limited benefits, if any at all," he said.

To qualify for state retirement pension, Brady must be retired from the job for at least two months. After that, she can be considered for rehire. Stilwell said he hopes Brady will consider returning in some limited capacity.

Brady said she will always be interested in the district and may want to continue her work with it, either on a volunteer or limited-employment basis. However, she was not ready to make a decision, she said.

Stilwell said he would like to see all of the district's programs and events continue in the future.

"I'm hoping some of the things we've started can live on through volunteers and whatever limited staff resources we can muster in the year ahead," he said.

The district maintains four parks in the county. One park - the Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve north of St. Marys - is owned by the district through a donation from the Kuffner family. The other three parks - Lock 14 Park, Noble Township; Deep Cut Park, Salem Township; and the Miami & Erie Canal Towpath Trail - are leased from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The district also hosts hiking and other activities throughout the year. This winter, the Cabin Fever Hikes will be held in conjunction with Grand Lake Health's Road to Fitness Challenge.

The hikes include the Lockkeepers Winter Canal Hike, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 11, starting at the New Bremen Lockkeepers house; United Way Hike for Health, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the city of St. Marys utility building; Spring Forward Hike, 1-3 p.m. March 15 at the Noble Township hall; and April Showers Hike, 1-3 p.m. April 12 at the Noble Township hall.