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Park History As early as 1967, members of the plant Recreation Committee initiated the idea of a park for employees and their families. Jay Snyder, who was chairman of the Recreation Committee for many years, kept the idea of the park alive. In 1971, he put forth a proposal for a lake site recreation facility. A weekend outing was scheduled for employees and their families to evaluate the park. The idea of having a recreational facility at this time was not favorable to GM employees. A record of votes showed that 1,859 were against the recreation facility and 96 were for the Recreation Committee’s dream. Although the idea of a park seemed a little bleak at this point, Jay Snyder and the other members of the Recreation Committee continued to look at other alternatives. The concept of QWL (Quality of Work Life) made a significant change in attitudes of the value a park would hold. Under the terms of the Quality of Work Life concept, a joint union/management committee was formed to establish guidelines associated with implementing the new park project. On November 27, 1984, the first Joint Recreation Committee was formed. The Joint Recreation Committee was inspirational in getting this joint program put in place. The committee consisted of the following hourly and salary employees. |
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The members of the joint committee held their first meeting on November 27,1984. At this point, the initial dream of a park facility for GM employees was about to become a reality. Members of the Joint Committee went to other companies such as Sun Oil, Goodyear, and Firestone for assistance in the development of the park guidelines. It was a great surprise to the management of the other companies that the GM/UAW plans for the development of the park were handled with great care. While the committee referred to other companies for advice, they used their own people in deciding which equipment to purchase as they chose the playground equipment that is now installed in the park. The park as it now exists is complete with a running track, two tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, two playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, two baseball diamonds, a 9-hole putt-putt golf course, two gazebos and five shelters that are available for family parties. A field that once was a cornfield now holds a beautiful park that is available to all Powertrain employees, retirees, and their families. A Board of Directors that consists of both union and management operates the park. Each season, the park board hires students to maintain the park and operate a children’s program that is available to the children and grandchildren of all Powertrain employees. The GM/ Powertrain / UAW Family Recreation Park continues to grow and prosper each year. Park attendance has increased every year since opening. The first year that attendance was taken (1986), a total of 1250 people used the facilities. Records show that from 1997 through 2002, a total of 121,565 GM employees and their families have used the facilities. The annual events hosted by GM/Powertrain and Local 14 are as follows:
GM/Powertrain and UAW local 14 have also hosted major events at our park facilities that have been open to the community as follows:
What once was a dream for many members of the Recreation Committee has become a reality for Powertrain Employees and their families. The records show that, from 1997 through 2002, more the 496,640 people have used the facilities for major events and family functions. This project is a prime example of joint activities that all can be proud of. The recreation park has been noted as one of the first examples of “Quality of Work Life”. The Park-Board at this time consists of 15 People. They are: For Shelter Reservations or Tent Rental, call Local #14 Union Hall, Mon. through Fri. from 7:30am to 4:30pm (419-473-2854) For upcoming event schedules or park concerns contact Don Velliquette at the park control office (419-470-5166) from 7pm to 3:30pm, Mon. through Fri. |
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In
May of 1985, Hydramatic Toledo and United Auto Workers Local 14 celebrated
the ground breaking for the Joint Family Recreation Park. This venture
represented an innovative step in union/management relations at the
Toledo plant. Our success in this venture illustrated our ability
to work together
through employee involvement and joint participation programs, which
are essential in developing product integrity and customer satisfaction,
thus ensuring job security for all of us. The events that took place
in the effort to develop the outstanding facilities that now exist
have significant meaning to all who were involved.