Local Parenting News in Toledo: New Year’s Edition


Introducing Rudolph Bike Park

Rudolph Bike Park, located within the Wood County Park district,  is a new community and family friendly hub. This bike park creates a space for everyone, from beginners to those who have been around the trails a time or two. All skill levels are accommodated by the multiple tracks that enable everyone to sharpen their skills. A pump track is a looped sequence of rollers and berms—swoopy, banked turns—for bike riders. It’s designed to maximize your momentum, so you can ride it with minimal pedaling. Rudolph Park has free admission and also offers camping, geocaching, bouldering, hiking and kayaking. Open from 8am until 30 minutes after sunset. For more information visit wcparks.org or call 419-353-1897. —OJ 


Merrill Rainey writes award-winning board book


Local children’s author and illustrator Merrill Rainey recently received the Good Housekeeping 2022 Award for Best Board Books for Children for his book “ROAR! I’m a Dinosaur!” He is also the author of a series of books called “Color Cut Create,” which allows older children to assemble characters and backgrounds for interactive play. You can find out more about his books at littlerainey.com. —MK


New upgrades for Burnham Park


A $400,000 grant that the city of Sylvania and Sylvania Recreation received from the state of Ohio Capital Improvement Community Recreation Project Grants program, as well as an additional $19,821 grant awarded to Sylvania Recreation by “GAMETIME Cares” will allow for upgrades to Burnham Park. Renovations include removal of a gazebo and the addition of new playground equipment for visitors of different ages. Some of the new playground equipment will be installed in the area closest to Maplewood Ave. and will be intended for children ages 2-5. The area of the playground catering to older children will receive new swing sets. For more information about Burnham Park, visit their website or call Sylvania Recreation’s main office at 419-882-1500. —SK


Recycle your styrofoam in Toledo


Lott Industries began taking Styrofoam for recycling at the end of July 2022. Prior to this, the nearest recycling center accepting Styrofoam was in Ann Arbor. They accept styrofoam at their location: 3350 Hill Ave. on Monday–Friday from 8:30-11:45am and 12:45-2:30pm. Drop-off is on the west side of the building under the red canopy near the back of the building. To learn more about acceptable forms of styrofoam to recycle, read our full story at toledoparent.com. —PM