Tyler Black of Bluffton is the new director of the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, assuming the position earlier this month. Previously he was the deputy director.

Black is in his fifth year working the park district. He started as the park’s maintenance foreman and transitioned to deputy director in January 2017. He replaces Kevin Haver as director.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in Wildlife and Fish Conservation and Management from the University of Rio Grande located in southern Ohio.

He and his wife, Muriel, are parents of three children. 

The park district has 14 park areas spread over 1,400 acres in Allen County. Created in 1972, it offers hiking, picnicking, interpretive programs and guided nature walks, camping and swimming at Ottawa Metro Park, fishing and boating at Lima Lake Reservoir, horseback riding at the Allen County Farm Park bridle trail, and  bicycling the Rotary Riverwalk.

Motter Metro Park, with an entrance from Grove Road in Bluffton, is part of the park system. It had 105 acres,1.5 miles of mowed grass trail, a nature-based interpretive signage, wetland and borders Little Riley Creek.