HOWLAND ­– The Trumbull County MetroParks will wait to see if county commissioners today approve $65,000 to help keep the parks open for the rest of the year.

Based on today’s decision, the MetroParks have scheduled a special meeting at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday to approve its budget and plan for the remainder of 2025.

Executive director Zachary Svette said Thursday’s MetroParks board meeting will determine if the parks can continue operations or if an alternate plan to close them will be necessary.

Svette said the parks are currently open and portable restrooms available through July 31.

Svette confirmed the current park budget is tight, but is hopeful the commissioners will fund

the parks for the second half of 2025.

“All will depend on what funding we receive for our budget,” said board member Kurt Sauer. “If we do not get funding, we will have to review all budget items.”

Svette said beavers have tunneled under the bike trail where an observation deck used to be and carved out a section of the trail between Dunkerton and Peck Leach roads in Bloomfield.

He said a 30-by-70-foot section of the trail needs to be replaced, with repair costs estimated at $3,500.

Svette said grant funds can’t be used for that project, but oil and gas reserve funds can. The matter will be addressed next week.

DAM REMOVAL

In other business, Svette said the Leavittsburg Dam removal is ongoing, with dredging work to begin after July 4.

He said dredging will take 60 days, depending on weather.

The dredging will remove sludge, Svette said, which is processed through a clarifier, and the clear water discharged back into the Mahoning River.

Svette said rocks will be removed from the sludge.

In additional news, Svette said the Lordstown park preserve property can be added to the local hunting areas. The property, which is off Lyntz Road, was purchased with Clean Ohio funds.

He said a lottery is held for people who want to hunt on various park properties, with Trumbull County residents given priority, followed by other Ohio residents.

Applications will be accepted through August and the lottery will be held in September.

Residents can submit a private property hunting form to the MetroParks office by Aug. 29 to enter the lottery.

He said last year there were 120 hunting applications for park properties off Elm Road, state Route 5 and in West Farmington.

Svette said the MetroParks will collaborate with Trumbull Career / Technical Center, Fairhaven and Kent State at Trumbull on a sidewalk along Educational Highway.

He said Safe Routes to School funds will be sought.

Also, Svette said the bridge painting by the bike trail in Niles will begin in September.