The wall of the Toledo Memorial Park has stood for a century in Sylvania. But it will soon be demolished to make way for the expansion of Monroe Street.
SILVANIA, Ohio – When you go out on Monroe Street in Sylvania, you will notice traffic cones, crews and equipment.
“The city of Sylvania and ODOT have decided that they need to expand this section of Monroe Street,” said Jeff Clegg, president of the Toledo Memorial Park.
Workers of the “First Energy” are busy replacing telephone lines in preparation for the expansion of the street. Unfortunately, the project is forcing the demolition of a historic stone wall in the park.
“If this is done, the rest of the wall is likely to collapse and they will start building the actual one,” Clegg said.
The wall has stood for almost 100 years and now has to give way to pillars. In June, the park was going to celebrate the centenary of the wall, but has since been canceled due to future demolition.
“Obviously this is progress, and Monroe Street is very busy, and we want to do our best to keep everyone safe,” Clegg said.
Sylvania’s director of economic development, Bill Sanford, says the project is a necessary part of the city’s progress.
“You think that [Monroe Street] at the time of the cemetery opening there was a one-lane road. Now Monroe Street is the main highway to the east and west through our city, so the situation is very difficult, “said Sanford.
Although the historic wall will disappear, a copy of it will be developed about 25 feet from its original location in a few years. However, Clegg says seeing that the original wall is gone is sad.
“We have always considered this beautiful stone wall with roses growing on it in the spring as a gateway to Sylvania,” he said. “And now it’s all gone.”
Clegg says a copy should be built by 2025.
And what about roses? Clegg says the park is nursing them until a new wall is ready to bring them back.
