From brisk and icy snowstorms one day to bright and sunny skies the next, Portage Park District has its hands full trying to maintain the parks year-round. 

“Anybody that lives in Ohio probably understands that weather is a huge factor in how … maintenance needs to be completed,” Andrea Metzler, public engagement manager for the parks, said.

Paying attention to the calendar and weather is important for keeping parks clean, but picking up trash and making sure paths are clear are prioritized in maintaining parks no matter the weather, Metzler said.

“The restrooms are cleaned, the trash is emptied, all that normal maintenance type stuff. Clearing trails and taking large limbs and things like that off the trails so that they’re traversable.” 

Portage Park District prefers to keep its parks as natural as possible, Metzler said. The natural areas team makes sure the plants and trees are being handled properly.

“The maintenance folks are maintaining and doing larger projects like developing, whereas the natural areas team is looking at the plant life,” she said. “Making sure that we’re getting the right trees in and that invasive plants are being removed. Garlic Mustard is one of the invasive plants that we remove each year.” 

The process of maintaining plant life occurs annually, but Metzler said it is something they continue to prioritize to have the plants flourish. 

“It’s a process that happens every year, and it’s never fully ever gone, but it’s something that we continue to maintain in our parks so that native plants can grow and thrive.”

Portage parks’ spring events include the Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Hike at 5:30 p.m. April 11 and the Senior Hike from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. April 13. The parks are open from dawn to dusk.

Aaron Cousin is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].