SWANTON, Ohio (WTVG) – Metroparks Toledo announced it is partnering with a local family-owned business to preserve and develop a campground and nature preserve in northwest Ohio.

Metroparks Toledo received a $818,944 grant from the Clean Ohio Fund to acquire and protect 113 acres of land in the Oak Openings Corridor.

The park system announced it will partner with Superior Made RV Resort, which will purchase the campground portion of the property.

The Big Sandy campground on S. Berkey Southern Road in Swanton will open as a Superior Made RV Resort for the 2025 season, according to Alicia Lawson of Superior Made.

Superior Made will have 180 pitches for motorhomes, 60% of which will be for seasonal campers and the remaining 40% for transient or overnight campers.

“As a token of gratitude to our loyal guests, there will be no rent increase for seasonal campers in the 2025 season. Instead, there will be small, incremental increases appropriate to the improvements over the next five years,” Lawson said.

Lawson says her family plans to renovate campgrounds and add a swimming pool, pickleball and volleyball courts, two new bathhouses and kayak access to the lake. These improvements will be made over several years starting in 2026.

Metroparks Toledo says it plans to build a trail from the campground to Oak Openings Preserve, as well as public access to property adjacent to the campground, including a lake for fishing and boating.

“This is an opportunity for us to continue our important work to preserve natural areas in a corridor through the Oak Openings Region, while partnering with an experienced local family to continue the camping tradition in this beautiful area of ​​Lucas County,” said Dave Zenk, executive director of Metroparks. “After meeting the Lawson family, learning about their background and seeing their plans, I know we have chosen the right partner.” Latest local news | Weather of the first warning | crime | National | 13abc Originals

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