And now the 419 with Gretchen de Bakker might kill them.

And Kevin Mullin.

So what I would like to, Welcome into the 419 powered.

But it's, presented by Retail Wealth management.

If you ever wondered, if we have fun on this show.

I don't know what you're watching, but we definitely do.

I just had a pity laugh for Kevin's dumb show.

It was for him, and I needed that.

Kevin knew.

Oh, that was good.

He left.

Right?

Yeah.

Much like.

Yes, yes, I was.

Yeah, I could hear it.

And I thought I was funny.

And I'm, I'm not.

That's not my role on the show, but I am Kevin.

Mullin, Gretchen Becker.

Matt.

Killam.

We've got an exciting show today.

Yeah, it is Matt's mystery guest.

Yep.

Which means that.

It's a mystery.

That they also just found out, yes, that they're going to.

Be on the show.

Somebody in the building.

Or on the drive here.

One of the guys from out front.

Yeah.

That would be amazing.

That woul so good.

Yeah.

What would that what would that goose's name be?

Yeah.

Gain the goose better.

And then we're going to talk about we talked with goodwill talk with David TAC.

It's about the mobility program.

Yes.

At goodwill.

Cool program.

Yeah.

So I'm excited.

I don't I don't know a whole lot about that.

Admittedly, goodwill is one of those organizations that I think I know what they do, but I, I don't I've had some conversations with them about their online.

Yeah, store and sales and presence and it is so much greater than I. David's coming to us through the to the Community Foundation, and he's responsible for a lot of their outreach programs.

So mobility is just one of them.

But okay cool cool cool.

Yeah.

What about.

It?

Let's talk about your clues.

Okay.

For your alleged.

Guest.

Okay.

This individual is, an X chromosome and a mentor to me.

Oh, John Brown.

Nope.

That's that's where I was going to, that's all you're going to give?

Doesn't the only mom.

Nope.

Oh, my gosh.

Very close to being my mom, though.

Yeah, because everyone.

The panic that came across Maddie's face in our meeting on Monday when.

That's the center.

That's true.

We're going to find out.

This is always the part.

This is the this.

Is the this person is doing really exciting things, in a field that I think is extremely important.

They were on, the cover of a big time magazine.

Like a large size one.

That's right.

A large format magazine.

Okay.

Yeah.

There's a lot of the.

Yeah, yeah.

Buckeyes behind bars.

Yeah.

And I don't want to give you more clues until I give clues when they.

Right.

Okay.

Okay.

We're ready.

Yeah.

It's a timely.

This is a timely, interview as well.

They just recently had some, some really cool things announced that.

So you get.

Interesting.

Yeah, I have no idea.

They are originally from New York.

Upstate New.

York.

Okay, so.

So I thought you saw it now.

So I started to go somewhere.

And then you said originally from New York?

Yes.

And now I'm.

I'm thrown.

Off.

Is it Karen Ray Wilkins?

Yes, it is.

The New York I knew.

It.

Yeah.

That was a case.

Yeah.

Yep.

Done.

All right.

It isn't often that we guess.

But let's just let's take a break, okay?

When we come.

Back, I'll give you clues again.

We'll give us clues all over again.

Yeah.

And we'll pretend like we don't know who it is.

Karen Renee Wilkins from the city of Toledo will join us here on the 419.

Support for the 419 comes from Row Wealth Management, where we understand that your financial path is personal.

Advisory services are offered through Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC, securities offered through Capital Investment Group member Finra and SIPC.

More information at Retro advisors.com.

Welcome back into the 419 powered by GT.

It doesn't happen often, but.

Gretchen was right.

Gretchen was right.

That's right.

That's but.

Will go down in history.

Off.

And we are joined now by Matt's mystery guest, Karen Randy Wilkins.

Right.

It's no longer a mystery.

It's a mystery.

Welcome to the 419.

Thank you.

It's a pleasure.

It's long overdue, by the way.

That's right.

Well, I have been listening to you thinking, They talk to some really cool people.

That's why I'm not on the show.

No.

That's why you are on the show.

Because you are really cool people.

So if people don't know how you two know.

Each other, we.

Do.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Through Toledo Rotary.

Yeah.

So that'll do it.

Yeah.

Karen, was, I recruited Karen to be the chair of invited Environmental Services committee.

To which she responded, I haven't been to a meeting in a while.

And I said, I know we're going to fix that.

Yeah.

And I'm a put you in charge, Karen, did that.

Put you in a position because you've always been pro polio?

So, so so I, we we run this risk when.

Yes.

When we know and like our guests as much as we know and like you that we just dive right in and nobody else has any idea who you are.

So you work for the city of Toledo?

I do indeed, yes.

I'm the commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Toledo.

Yeah.

How long you been doing that?

I've been doing that for 8 or 9 years.

Yeah, yeah, 8 or 9 years.

And I think I know this answer, but how do you, Matt, how do you and Karen know each other?

I train Karen for her in the May career.

Okay.

It turns out they don't have it.

Turned into real jobs for both.

Of them.

That's right.

It turns out, if you can't legally give blood, based on your weight, you're not going to be a good, Ultimate fighter.

So we had to scrap that.

But she was training.

Was she.

Gave it a. Role?

Yeah, right.

I had the good fortune, of, working, for Karen at the Toledo Botanical Garden.

A mentor of mine, helpful and just an incredible amount of ways.

So, green space is something that I, you know, certainly played in, and not knowing the infrastructure of how things work, not knowing how to manage, the infrastructure of, not for profit, because I went into it thinking everybody, I'd be able to just be on the same page.

Sure.

Right.

So the nuances of you.

Learned that on the first day, right.

Within the first week.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I, I owe a lot to Karen.

Both personally and professionally.

And I would put it in that order.

So I'm a huge fan of all the work the, the sea parks have been doing, but a bigger fan, Karen is a person.

So, so, so, Karen, I do want to talk about you, but I am interested as somebody who hired Matt.

This was your first foray into environmental work.

His first job back here in Toledo.

It was my first job back here in until city officially.

And I had not had a boss.

And probably like eight years, 8 or 9 years before.

Karen.

Do you remember?

Oh, yeah.

I read him in the interview and all that.

He's still in therapy for it.

You know.

He's one of the best hires.

I mean, we built an incredible team.

We did it.

We had an amazing team.

Duck, duck.

Tommy, Doug Conley, horticulture.

I mean, we just had a just powerful, committed, passionate people who believed in the mission at the garden.

And, and we have a hell of a lot of fun, too.

And I was on the board of the time.

So that's also how I met Matt.

Oh, man.

Yeah.

Really?

You didn't mean until then?

No, no.

Oh, I didn't realize.

All right, so let's so let's back up.

So Matt said you're originally from New York.

I am, so talk to me about, childhood little Karen Randy Wilkins.

As opposed to the hulking creature.

Got it.

Yeah, yeah.

That's, So I am a born and raised in Rochester, New York, actually, just south of Rochester.

Victor.

A little time out in the country, one of five kids, the oldest girl, older brother.

It was crazy, man.

Great.

Great family.

Wonderful upbringing.

Were you involved in the outdoors and gardening and that kind of stuff.

You know, growing up, I. We lived in the country.

We lived that.

We had five and a half acres and we are outside, you know, it's one of those back in the good old days.

Yes.

Where you can just get you get on your bike in the morning and you didn't see your family until you got hungry.

You know, basically you were out in the woods and, you know, doing your thing and playing in the streams and climbing trees and building forts and all of all of that.

And it was just a wonderful way to be, to, to be acclimated to the earth.

And you took it for granted, frankly.

Sure.

And I think one of my big awakenings was when my my own daughter, who's now 26, but we had moved here fast forwarding, you know, I was I mean, I can give you all that background if you want, but it's, you know.

We got a whole show.

You got a whole show.

Well, so anyways, I started out in as a marketing geek and, was with, health care system in Rochester.

Then I went to an advertising agency and did a lot of work with Kodak.

And that was going to be one of my clues.

But Gretchen, just you very quickly, I remember the Kodak was one of one of your clients.

Yeah.

Back when they were a a going concern.

Right.

But things have changed a lot, right?

But moved out here in 1993, took the job as the director of marketing for the symphony.

So big shift and then so my, my career path has been quite circuitous and but very interesting.

And I it's funny, I was just telling some of the other young person the other day was interning in our department, and I said, I see here's the key.

Stay curious.

Right.

I mean because you never know where it'll take you.

And I've always been one of those I never had a specific plan for my career, I always knew, oh that's it, that's next.

So I've done some really fun and amazing and different things here.

I'm in true, Toledo fashion.

I, my dad lives across the street from you.

I think you moved in and then we moved out.

Yeah.

Is that right now?

Not related.

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah, I had that effect.

Yes.

We put that sign out in the yard as soon as we saw her unpacking it.

So we had there in the true, Toledo fashion, we have I've had the same sort of circle, for a consistent amount of time.

Carrying the, growing up in New York, being, a relatively rare, guest of ours in many ways, but, being moved to Toledo, the symphony, cultural component of it.

You are a gardener.

Or at least you manage Rick's gardening.

Yeah.

Which he needs.

I can't stay out of the garden.

Yeah, but talk to us a little bit about your family.

You are, married to a big time talent.

Although I'm sure that he is, second at best, if not third in the food chain at home.

Talk to me about your your family.

So I, I did have the good fortune once I got here to meet Rick Wilkins, who is a fabulous trumpet player.

Has done some very amazing.

Famous for the home records for.

Yes, most people.

Yep.

Most people know from that.

I'm still playing shows up in Detroit, the Fisher Theater, and plays with the Brass quintet and plays with a symphony now and then.

So he's keeping busy.

And, we were blessed with, our only daughter.

I do have to, step.

I'm.

I'm a step monster.

I'm sure Lindsey and Ben and Ben is got two grandchildren.

Ben and Tricia have grand, so I've got a wonderful little, family.

But my daughter Kyra, actually grew up pretty much at the garden.

Yes.

And getting married there?

Yep.

In a few weeks.

So she's in Chicago at the Shedd Aquarium?

Yeah, yeah.

What is.

She doing.

There?

She is responsible for, electronic media.

Okay.

Yeah, but sort of following a little bit in your footsteps there for marketing.

Definitely the nonprofit piece in the marketing.

Yes.

So she got her master's in global strategic communication.

Whoa.

So.

Wow.

Yeah.

Rick, just any advice, because Rick did travel quite a bit and play the trumpet, right?

Yeah.

So you remember Bobby Vinton?

Yes.

So he he toured with Bobby Vinton for years.

So, Gretchen, you remember Bobby.

From your early?

Yeah.

Yeah, he was very famous.

He was extremely famous.

Yeah, yeah.

And sort of a heartthrob.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, lots of work to do.

Yeah, yeah.

What record.

Dropped you were you.

Were there.

Yeah.

Records at that time were made almost entirely of stone.

They were.

Yeah yeah yeah, yeah.

How is Rick going to handle being a father of the bride?

Oh, he'll be a puddle.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Is he ready?

Has he been practicing at all?

He doesn't really talk about it okay.

Because he can't.

Yeah.

This is something that Rick will not love to talk about, but is Rick going to wear shorts to the wedding?

Oh, he loves his shorts.

No, he.

I think he is wearing a suit.

Believe it or not.

I've seen Rick in shorts during a blizzard.

He does.

Not care for long pants.

I mentioned that you're my mentor in terms of dressing him where you want.

Rick is.

My.

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

But you refused to wear shorts, which is ironic.

I'm not allowed to wear shorts based on, city code.

Okay.

He's got a thing about his legs.

Yeah, I don't get it.

But you'll be grateful.

It's on his resume.

Yeah.

This is really my gift to all of you.

Yeah.

So?

So let's go to jump.

Jump from symphony to botanical garden.

Right.

So this.

So this is how I really keyed in the nature piece.

Not that I didn't, I hadn't already, but I remember going home for a funeral in New York when Kira was about.

8 or 9.

And I had just started the garden.

And, you know, the funeral happened the next day.

The kids went out.

My brother has this great property in New York, lots of acres.

And the kids went out and do what we did when we were kids, you know, just they went and we didn't see them for hours and hours.

They came back filthy, dirty and ruddy cheeks and just happy as clams.

The next day, you know, we're back in Ohio and putting that cure to bed.

And she's like, mommy, I want to move to New York.

Like, oh, honey, I would love to be in New York with family.

So but mommy's job is here.

She's like, she's heard crying.

I said, what's wrong?

She said, well, I don't get to do the things here that I did in New York.

And I'm like, ooh.

So that was kind of a a real convicting moment for me.

In my work at the garden.

It has continued in my work at the city.

It's giving kids the opportunity to interact with nature in an on prescribed way.

Yeah.

I mean, you get this at the Metroparks.

So it's it is a lot of kids don't get that opportunity.

We're so controlling of their time and space for a whole host of some very legitimate reasons.

But yeah, I don't know any of my my kids friends that just go out and like the way that we would go out and play a pickup basketball game or, you know, parking lot baseball game or any of that stuff like that.

None of them do that anymore.

Right.

And so the just no and just go everything to use word structured.

I mean, I think that's I don't think about it that way.

But you know, they're in organized sports every season of the year.

You know, when they get together with their friends, it's not like, hey, come back when the when the streetlights come on, that just doesn't happen anymore.

And so to think about the gift that the city parks and the metro parks are to, to give kids that like there's no rules here, right?

Right.

Go use the playground.

How you decide.

Climb this, climb that, slide down whichever way you want.

Whatever.

That's I mean, that's a really interesting perspective.

I will tell you that, there's I think you alluded to this.

There's some practicality to being a bit of a helicopter parent.

Right.

But and we'll talk a little bit in the next segment about all the great things that have happened, in the city parks, under you and Joe's, leadership.

But if you give a kid a playground, they will play on it as designed for about 20 minutes.

And then you see them sort of playing outside the box right there on top of the slide, as opposed to in that, you're starting to see the boundaries blur a bit And that is a purposeful thing, certainly for both of our institutions.

Design is that we want to allow, a bit of a prescriptive amount of adventure or risk.

Right.

I think that there's something to be said for that.

Karen, to hearken back just for a second, to the botanical garden, the mission of growing.

We can get to play.

Certainly.

Which is a very big, subject matter for next time.

And but growing in particular, your license plates has deep roots.

You, you fostered.

Well, now everybody's going to find your car.

Actually, it doesn't fit anymore, right?

That's why I said, oh.

You're right, but it used to.

Yeah.

But growing is also, important.

And there's obviously a synergy between that conceptually between plants growing and people growing.

Can you talk a little bit about that?

And Toledo grows, and why that's important as much as play if not more.

Well, I mean, we see it, we see that this whole message about communing with soil continues to evolve, right.

You see these things now about what do they call it?

But being on the earth touch grass.

That's there's something about, you know, there's this whole statistically they've proven that this is where our bodies are just designed to be one with the earth.

And I think that growing is a really important part of that, whether you grow successfully or not.

And, you know, to call me a gardener is is a big leap.

You know.

When on the show kind of an experiment, you know, gardener like, well, that didn't work.

That's right.

That did a serial killer in the garden.

Exactly, exactly.

Yeah.

But the key is, is that it is just such a healing thing.

And I think that everybody should have the opportunity to experience that.

And kids today aren't encouraged to play in the dirt is considered dirty, right?

You know, and I think that's a shame.

I think that it's I think we need to encourage our children to, to explore and to experiment and in healthy ways.

You know, this is very healthy.

So I don't know how you get around that.

I think it's something that's partially missing for some kids.

Sure.

Can you talk a little bit about under your leadership at the garden, what what Toledo grows became and the farm and and what was happening.

That was there.

That was I mean, I don't know if I should say this on live on television, but.

When I. So there was clear growth was really the primary reason I took the job.

I had seen through a personal experience, like our food system was so broken.

You know, like, people don't even know what to do with vegetables.

And when I heard about Toledo Grows, actually, it's through.

Joe Pinciotti and Nicole told me about the opening at the botanical garden.

I was like, Me as the director of a taluka, where, I mean, I don't have that background.

I'm a business geek, Greg, a marketing person, and but when I found out about tuberose I'm like, oh, this okay, I hear you.

I mean this is get this, I get this right.

So, it became I mean, in the time that I was there and we built it, you know, we built that farm downtown and it is a it was a sacred space.

I I'm assuming that it continues to be, but, you know, to at the time, I mean, I remember going to a conference in Seattle with my good friend, and we went to this place on Whidbey Island.

It was a food conference, and people at the break were literally lined up to talk to us because they heard we had 150 community gardens.

And it's just a it is a an important way to build community, to knit community.

But to, to provide people with healthy food and, and when they know where their food comes from, I mean, the farm is an amazing hub for that.

So talk a little bit about, it's three acres, if I'm not mistaken.

Yeah.

In the heart of downtown, it's on Oneida, which is a street that almost everyone is probably driven by, unbeknownst to them, a multitude of times.

The street itself, connects cherry, and I don't think it goes all the way to Lagrange.

Does.

It?

Don't you just say I've been there a few times.

It's great.

But maybe a block, two blocks.

It's not a big.

It's not a sprawling street, but nestled in industrial legacy is, this oasis, right?

Chickens and.

Yeah, commercial kitchen and.

Commercial kitchen growing every.

Yeah.

And everywhere.

So, it it just as Karen, made mention of to see that program and get to be a part of it, was thrilling.

And it does educate you on the food system.

If you're getting your food from, stop and go.

Not to diminish, stop and go, but that should not be your full brochure.

Then you are limited, in a way that I was not, I'm embarrassed to say, aware of, and, you know, a square foot of, leafy greens can make, a full salad, for a family, for a considerable amount of time.

That information did not, was not translated to me.

And this is something I took for granted.

So growing not only in the ground, but the metaphor is probably lost in all of you growing as people and having understanding for the community that you live amongst, right?

How healthy your neighbors are, directly impacts how healthy everyone is.

And Toledo grows and the botanical garden was actually, one of the things that made that so important to me or ingrained to me that there is something bigger.

So we're talking with Karen, Randy Wilkins, with the city of Toledo.

Let's take a break.

When we come back, I want to jump in.

Fast forward, let's talk to about Toledo City parks.

With the finest parks in all of our of West Ohio.

Your words.

And it should be.

We'll take a break.

We'll be right back on the 419 May 2nd.

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Are you all.

Right?

I don't know what happens.

I spilled my colostomy bag.

Oh, boy.

That's fine.

Something is going on here.

We're talking with Matt's mystery guest, Karen Wilkins, commissioner with the City of Toledo.

Car dove is that.

Thing that's in it.

So I, during the break, despite my, pleading to not I did.

I was curious, have you two met because you preempted me?

In many ways, because of your age.

We picked up on a subtlety.

Very subtle.

Did you, How did you two meet in when.

We met?

Well, Karen just mentioned about working at the symphony she and I met in 1994.

Whoa.

Ish.

Cool.

I'm the Pinta.

Yes.

The Santa Maria.

Actually, that.

Was the better of the.

Three.

It was the Bachelor.

Let me ask you something.

What was the.

Accommodations on the Santa Maria?

They were, classy.

Yeah.

Yeah, they were good fun.

You can do improv.

She's all right.

So Karen was working at the symphony.

I was working at the downtown coffee shop, and we were having a singles.

The Symphony, The bleed, and us were having a singles event at our place.

Okay.

When we were single, when.

We were all.

Single.

Yeah.

Two of the three of us here.

Last one.

Yeah.

This was last week.

Yeah.

And so, yeah, that's how we met.

And then our good friend Gretchen was working in that building, and that's how they met.

And it was like a whole thing.

It was.

Yeah, yeah.

And then they used to tease me about my Karen Rainey shoes.

Yeah.

She has terrible shoes.

Karen, I've.

Got bad.

But she's improved lately.

Lately?

Whoa, that was close.

I must say.

That was close.

That was one of those.

Sorts of cans.

Hey.

Welcome aboard.

Yeah, just.

Trying to be.

Somewhere.

Come up.

It was just killed.

So, Karen, why?

We're talking about city parks.

Why?

Why should a city spend money on parks?

Well, it you know, it.

Is it common parks?

I think equalize us all.

Right.

I mean, you go in the park and you don't know if the person behind you on the trail is you know, a high powered lawyer or just a regular Joe.

Right.

I mean, I think the other thing I love about growing and gardening, you know, it's just a it's a powerful place to be, one with nature.

I think it is an important resource.

I mean, we saw it during the pandemic as a perfect example.

You know, our parks, where you live more than anything, people need the ability to get outside into a safe space and recreate in appropriate ways.

But yeah, I mean, it's really important.

It it appeared to me and some of this might be because I know and like you, but but prior to, your time at the parks, it seemed like there was a phase there where the goal of the parks was of the parks department was maintenance.

Right.

The phase is 25 years or so.

Let's maybe.

Yeah, but let's let's make let's make sure that the grass is cut right.

And that things are maintained.

But it really wasn't to your point about creating opportunities for kids to get involved in nature.

It wasn't I didn't see a lot of that.

Now, some of it could be age and all of that that changes that.

But but that certainly in the last few years, there has been a foot on the accelerator in a way that I haven't seen.

Well, in part that's budget driven.

You know, I mean, so no shade on those who came before me, you know, I mean, when you are, under the same general fund as some essential services when things need to be cut.

Unfortunately, parks are perceived to be a nice to have, not a need to have.

Right.

Which is, I think, very untrue, but I'm a little biased.

So again, I think that yes, you this this administration has also been extremely committed.

Way capture and his team have been very committed to the parks.

Now who's here?

And we'll be fine.

Mayor.

That's right.

Oh, you know the guy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So that has made an enormous difference.

The ability to actually go in and fix.

We've got over 130.

I was going to say I don't think people are aware of.

Right.

They're everywhere.

People drive by them every day and don't even know they're there.

Now.

They may notice because they got new signs.

Yes.

List the new signs.

Yes, there were signs.

The first things I did.

So there was there was the new signs.

And then the city was working through like the mowing.

I mean, the mowing issue was just such a big it is issue.

We don't even need to get into it.

But then Covid hit and then everyone got through Covid, most people got through Covid and then we got the American Recovery Plan dollars.

And that really put, you know, the pedal to the metal as it relates to both the Bush administration and the parks.

Correct.

Sort of joining forces or the mayor's commitment to our city parks to take some of that money and invest it both in programing and in the infrastructure.

So can you tell us what has been going on, some highlights of that investment in the last?

What is it been four years or so?

Sure.

I mean, we've as I've mentioned, over 130 city parks, all of them went infrastructure that is 20 plus years old and and playground is designed and built to last probably between 15 and 20 years.

And these were well beyond 20 or so.

And we have been going through and replacing as many of those playgrounds as we can with some pretty spectacular structures.

As I do say, you know.

The one hand to a park is just caring.

For those.

People that don't know.

Talked a little bit about the auditing of a playground.

I mean, there's a safety component of it too.

But when you go in, how does one assess, the life of a playground?

Well, I mean, the things that people would notice, obviously, the rusting parts and bolts that are sticking out and, you know, change that have fallen off and that sort of thing, slides that have been broken.

I mean, there there's some basic assessment things.

There's fall zones.

There's all kinds of important details like that.

I mean, you can make a you can make a playground safe even if it's beyond its useful life.

But that's not what's ideal for our kids, right?

Right.

So.

So we, you know, we were trying to be replace that, but we also have done some why we cut some signature things which have been, I think the community, even if you're not in the neighborhood with a park, which you probably are, you might not know it.

But yeah, but we needed to fix some pretty big things.

For example, the tennis courts at Germain Park around the corner of Monroe Street and North Cove.

I mean that they were an eyesore when I first moved here.

You know, I would drive by it on the way back from a symphony concert and people would be playing tennis under the lights.

I was like, oh, that's cool.

And all of a sudden it went away.

Is it one of the most Caucasian things to say out loud that on your way back from the Symphony of your song, people playing tennis.

I hope you rank that.

Yeah.

Well, they weren't all white people playing tennis.

You, you know.

It's just very welcoming sport.

Anyways, that had to be fixed.

So we redid all the tennis courts at Germain and added pickleball, fastest growing sport in America.

And people are out there all the time.

Yeah.

And so we've, we've done a big soccer complex at Schneider Park.

That is not only is it great for the soccer players, but we've also incorporated some accessible.

So a soccer pitch for to make it more accessible.

That's a whole other thing I want to make sure I mentioned.

But we we've gone through and, and done as much as we can with those recovery dollars and, and gotten creative, with some funding, other funding, some matching grants.

I mean, Joe would be the better one to, to outline those things in detail.

But it is, we've been making great progress and we've got some ways to go.

And dollars for our progress.

So you just hinted on it.

But under your leadership and Joe, the Joe we keep referencing is Joe Falls.

Now, and you know, finding state and federal dollars that previously went to all manner of other places and now coming home to our city park.

So, another added bonus to what I would describe and the umbrella of strategy and has been really effective.

I grew up, which is we talked about some deal in Wildwood, but the reality is my first park was Ottawa.

I grew up on Sherbrooke, City Park and Ottawa is is a magical place.

And and since you asked, Walbridge.

Ottawa.

Cullen.

Detweiler those are of on my top tier, many great places, but they all play significant roles, in the neighborhoods that they're adjacent to and also are, places that people go to.

They are, destinations as well.

So, yeah.

I'm curious.

I mean, you list off like some of those.

So like when we think city parks, right?

I mean, some of the names we all know.

Right.

But you said there's 130 of them.

Correct.

So I'm curious, what is a hidden gem park that isn't, you know, on the, on the Mount Rushmore of, of city parks that that people should get out and go go visit.

Wow.

There's they're all over at foxglove.

Where's that?

Oh, don't get me started on.

Okay.

Right.

I. I think I just.

Want, I want the actual like, what's.

The latitude.

Longitude and latitude.

But you just put it, I as, I would say I. Nez Nash.

That just became a. Can you tell us a little bit about that project?

Sure.

That that was a that partnership.

Well, that we, we had on as national park, you drove by it probably all the time.

And Bancroft was going towards cherry, and it was kind of a sad little park, frankly.

Right behind it was a Waymon Palmer y, which was also was physically said, a hub of amazing activity but physically sad building.

We the people.

Just me.

Yeah, we flipped the spaces and built the Y on the old park, the new Y, if you haven't been there, it's amazing.

And then we put a new park where the old building was and it is spectacular, spectacular.

It is got didn't the Arts Commission just, The just on.

Basketball courts.

Yeah.

It's which is amazing.

It's not a basketball court necessarily.

It is a it's kind of a throwing, you know, like it would be a great place to shoot a horse.

Yeah.

With your buddies.

But it's gorgeous.

It's got a nature play area.

Danny.

Thomas is another part of the.

Oh, yeah.

Investment.

Yep.

So amphitheater?

Field there too, right?

Yeah.

We got a astroturf field up top, which is really wonderful.

We're going to be holding concerts at Danny Thomas, this summer with the Levitt Foundation.

Grant that we've got.

So, with that noodle amphitheater, it's really, really spectacular.

And the other end of the river going up the river towards the lake.

We've got, Jamie Farr Park, which right now the summit street's a little bit torn up in front of it, but we're going to have a brand new splash pad opening there.

Jamie Farr was in the first predator.

Correct.

He played the predator.

That's right.

Yeah, yeah, he was amazing, right now.

Schwarzenegger and he battled at the end.

I'm not really I mean, when you say that, like when they battle, they really sort of matched each other.

Oh yeah.

Yeah.

So all right.

So so you mentioned accessibility and we got a couple minutes.

We got to dive into our, our, our quiz here.

You mentioned accessibility.

So we talked to you.

About really important.

So one of the things that we're doing.

So one of the cool things we're doing with parks is we've got just experience pass.

So it's let's get moving this year.

It's going to be launching on June 1st.

It's going to be explore more.

And so the idea is to get people out into the city parks.

So there are 130 park.

But this is kind of a little incentive.

You know you get the your little electron like device that will take you to at one of these city parks.

And you get points when you check in, when you're at the park and the points you collect and you get to turn them in for merch.

Right.

Hello.

Very nice.

So enjoy.

Good.

In July, it is American Disability recognizing our our community who's who are utterly abled.

Yes.

And we're going to be launching a special pass during the month of July for people with disabilities that are highlighting all of the of the parks and assets that we have that are are really specifically designed to be accessible and that will be so specially designed for them.

We want to make sure that all people are feeling welcome into our parks, and let us know when it doesn't work for them.

We want to know.

And what about programing for kids in the parks?

This summer?

So, as I have mentioned, well, I didn't mention this, but you know, we don't have a programing department in or of team in the parks department that got cut long time ago.

So we have relied on partnerships with some really fabulous organizations who stepped into the void that was created.

When that those funds get caught.

And we, we've been partnering with them red long and and they're going to help us activate some of those parks this summer.

But in particular, we from our department will be doing, we got pickleball clinics that start next week in five different parks all summer long.

Great deal if you want to learn how to play pickleball.

We've got swim lessons that will start in July.

Those.

Those will open, probably within the next week.

You can get.

Swim lessons or so.

Important.

Critical?

Yes, critical.

It's a language everybody needs to know.

Yes, ma'am.

Absolutely.

And we've got movie nights in the parks.

We have.

Xtreme Predator.

You know, as Jamie said.

It's not a kids movie.

It is not a. Case of Jamie Farr as the size of a child.

So.

No, sorry.

If you go.

Yeah, we do.

Have, we do have one adult movie we're adding.

We we started this last year.

We did an.

Adult.

Adult new.

Well, is the beekeeper.

Oh, thank God she is.

Yeah.

Just, She's.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, he's an.

Olympic diver.

Is that true?

Yeah.

diving team.

Really?

You have all these fun facts.

And.

Fun, fun.

Fun is generous.

But we also have music in the park.

So, Ottawa Park Amphitheater is the Saturday night free concerts.

Really fun lineup this summer.

And at it is the coolest experience.

And we've taken the kids.

Yeah.

So.

So we used to live, on Powhatan High right there.

Yep.

Yeah.

And then now moved into Old Orchard is folks who are fans of the show know, but we'll bike to Ottawa Park and it is just the coolest experience.

It feels small town, local, connected, in a way that, you know, getting in the car and driving to, you know, an amphitheater in Detroit doesn't have the same, the same experience or vibe.

And there's great local artists that play.

Yeah.

There's some regional folks coming through there as well.

It's Karen, its budget and not having to talk to city council.

We're not barriers.

What is something that you would do?

What is it like a thing that you would do tomorrow if you could do it in the city parks?

Oh nature play.

I've got three designs already.

They're ready, shovel ready, and I just need funding.

So this again, bringing natural elements into our city parks that encourage kids to enter face with dirt and water and climb on logs and, you know, so it's all natural materials, but I've got some spectacular designs.

Very cool.

Just Karen, Randy Wilkins.

All right, Karen, buckle up.

It's now time for.

The refreshers.

Wacky quiz.

Amanda.

Name?

As a marketing person.

We've talked in.

Person.

Yeah, this.

It's a little unusual.

I'm going to ask for rapid fire questions.

Gretchen's unusual.

I'm going to ask for rapid fire questions.

Gretchen's going to ask you to describe Toledo in one word.

And then you and Matt will list the nine best things in Toledo.

Your favorite.

Things?

My favorite things.

If he doesn't interrupt me.

Yeah, yeah.

That's right.

Okay.

All right.

Rapid fire.

If you could paint anything, what would you paint?

Paint.

Paint.

I just did what?

A mural.

Yeah.

In my indoor.

She shed.

Okay, you got to go see it.

Yeah.

Okay.

Have you ever lost a bet?

Ever lost a. Bet?

Is this how you married Rick?

I don't bet money.

So, yeah, I'm sure I have somewhere along the way, I can't.

I must not have been that bad.

Yeah, I'm not a big risk taker with.

Okay.

What's one possession that you cannot live without?

It's not possession.

My daughter is not a possession.

But I will take it.

Yeah.

Let's go.

That's a good answer.

Yeah.

All right.

You're you're giving your own talk show.

I give my own talk show.

Who would be the first celebrity guest that you would want on your own talk show?

And mine is Jamie Farr.

Is this living or dead?

Yes.

That's your show.

You know, I've always.

Wanted.

To do weird interview dead person, but, you know, whatever.

I've always wanted to meet my Angelo.

Yeah, okay.

Because I seem like a. Yeah.

Good guest.

Good.

Get.

What is the one word you would use to describe the city of Toledo?

I would say eclectic.

Okay.

Nice.

All right.

I'm going to take eclectic and put it on the top of your list of nine.

So now you only have eight.

So what are the eight favorite things about the city and or region.

Well okay.

I've got to say city parks I mean that would be a given.

And you know and close second would be Metro Parks.

Thank you.

Love the outdoors right?

Yes.

What name your favorite city park and metro park.

Oh, well, that's a tough one.

So my favorite city park.

I would say it's got to be Ottawa.

Ottawa it.

Is.

It's got everything going on.

What's your favorite Metro park?

Well, I know it's not.

Well, Wildwood would have to be.

But it is.

Yeah I love it.

All right.

Right.

Because I spend a lot of time.

Absolutely.

And the symphony I know is on your list of favorite things.

Oh, yeah, I love Symphony.

Absolutely.

And, Oh, there's a new park that hasn't yet officially been opened, a new city park called Pontiac Preserve, which is also got to be unless it's right on the river, it's off Summit Street.

It's going to be fabulous and it's going to be a really great destination for people.

Yes, it already is beautiful, I've been told.

Yeah.

All right.

So I've got two more.

Two more.

Just two more.

Yeah.

Oh, wow.

What's your hair?

Place to eat.

I know that's out of Tupperware at your desk.

Because I've seen that for almost a decade.

Yeah, I know, I know, a little boring and lunchtime thing.

Wow.

I, I, I love can go, can't go.

It is my fave.

But I know since you just, the last one, obviously, Rick, will be.

I guess I'll get it from this list, because.

Oh, well, he's he wraps the list.

There it is.

That's your knife.

Ready to go, Karen?

Randy Wilkins, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you.

We take a break.

When we come back, we'll be joined by David tickets to talk about the mobility program from goodwill.

We'll be right back on the 419.

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Welcome back to the 419, powered by our friends at the Community Foundation.

Are always encouraging us and inviting us to new people doing great things across Northwest Ohio.

There's no question goodwill is one of those organizations.

We're joined now by David Ptak.

It's the chief mission officer with goodwill.

Thanks for being a guest here.

I appreciate it.

It's good to see you all.

On the off chance that people aren't familiar with goodwill.

What's wrong with them?

Yeah.

That's right.

I mean, but I think they, I talked about it in the open in the show, that I think I know what goodwill is, but every time I talk to somebody, I learned about a different piece of this.

You know?

I know goodwill is stores.

Sure.

But it's so much more than that.

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, most people recognize us for our stores, and it's kind of a, you know, a win lose proposition for us.

We want people to understand, go to our stores, we want them to donate.

We want those types of things.

But it becomes such a big entity that they really don't understand what our mission is.

So basically, you know, I could read off our mission statement, but our mission really is to get individuals employment opportunities that are facing some type of a barrier, whatever it may be.

I mean, whether they have a disability, whether they have been incarcerated, haven't been at work in a while, maybe they're young and don't have any, training or any certifications or anything like that that they're working with.

So whatever that barrier is, it's keeping someone from employment.

Google tries to overcome that barrier and and give them those chances.

How do people get to goodwill to take advantage of those services?

Are they referred to that?

Can they just walk in?

How would someone take advantage of the program?

All of the above okay, so yes, we do get referrals from partners.

I started this role at the tail end of 2016, along with our CEO, Amy Walkup.

And one of the things we talked about was partnering with other nonprofits in the area and making sure that we kind of stay in our lane, and really work on giving people employment opportunities, you know, not drifting off, not getting any mission creep.

And that's really worked well.

So other agencies do referrals, refer individuals to us, but then we also have job connection centers.

We have one downtown at our location there.

We have one in Davao, we have one in defiance.

And we are opening one in Findlay as well, where you can walk in for five days a week.

How many individuals are you guys serving in a year?

So last year we served just a little bit over 9500 individuals and placed close to 600 into competitive employment.

That's incredible.

Yeah, I mean, this is where again, I say, like every time I talk, I learn something new and that the, the just massive, scope and scale of the work that you guys are doing.

If an employer is listening to this show, can they reach out to get on the list to be supportive as a way to get employees?

Oh, absolutely.

We do, job and employment fairs, at our locations a lot.

We work with employers on that.

We do have, you know, a list of employers that are reentry friendly, for example, and stuff like that.

So, absolutely, if employers are interested in looking for people that need an opportunity, we can help them with that and provide that.

So we do partner with, with companies all around the region and.

Then provide resources.

You guys provide resources then to the companies as well in terms of training, their support as they're employing.

We can absolutely.

We look at ways that, employers, you know, kind of what they want, work ready for the person.

And we work with those individuals.

So, you know, maybe they need individuals to have a high school diploma or GED.

We can we can provide that for to help them get those opportunities and move forward on that.

So yeah, we work with the employers on some of their needs that they have for their for their.

And but I hate to ask this, because I fear I know, but what does an average day look like?

Yeah.

That was going to be that was that response.

I was sure it yeah.

It changes every day.

Which is which is great because it's the same.

It's not boring.

You know, we have individuals coming in and that need all types of services.

But it could it could range on a day that we're out at the stores promoting things for ourselves and making sure individuals know what's happening.

So it changes from day to day.

I'm sure my staff members would say there's is even more hectic than mine.

And they do all the legwork.

So, yeah, it's definitely, an eclectic day.

How much how much of your, of the operations of goodwill are supported by the stores?

I would say about 95% of our operations.

We do some, fee for service with opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities.

We have a few grant programs, but the rest of it is supported by our stores.

Is there a need for volunteers in any of the programs for community members to volunteer, either in the stores or other than donating?

We kick that can.

A few years ago, and we really kind of a shying away from it because what we really look at is those are paid positions.

And so individuals that come to us, we're like, hey, we're going to pay you okay to do it?

Yeah.

How many employees does goodwill have?

A little.

Over 500.

Right.

Well that's that's a big that's a big business.

Yeah.

Our goodwill of northwest Ohio is what we are.

And we're.

And 13 counties in northwest Ohio.

What's your least favorite county?

The 13.

I'm just the farthest one.

So yeah.

Yeah.

So you guys have got a program a mobility program.

Yeah.

What what is this?

So, the city of Toledo strengthened our communities, program came to us, and we talked about, merging, partnering and looking for opportunities.

We got a grant from the Toledo Community Foundation to fund, individuals mowing in areas of Toledo that need those services.

So certain neighborhoods that, I think they use the list from the snow angels are individuals either have disabilities, they're elderly, they can no longer take care of their plots of land.

So what we wanted to do was provide that service for those individuals with mowing, because they did it with the snow removal, but utilize young people that were at risk or at high risk.

So the SoC, just so people understand, the, is the anti-gun violence initiative that's run out of the mayor's office to address gun violence or violence in general in some specific areas of the city.

So it's these individuals that are participating in the mobility program.

Absolutely.

Very high risk youth.

So the city had been working with them on, you know, violence, interruption, working with them with alternative paths, things like that.

So the program was designed not only get them some employment and get them into those opportunities, but look for ways that we can strengthen those young people and move them forward, find different paths for them.

And the program was really successful.

So we worked with two cohorts of eight individuals working on those throughout the summer.

All 16 individuals made it all the way through.

That's great.

So it was really fantastic.

It's a real skill set.

I mean, that's a business that you could start and run as a young person.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, absolutely.

And then w looked at entrepreneurship and.

David starting this.

Put any pressure on you to maintain your own yard better.

I have three sons that I thought would help.

They don't they don't know yes I did.

Did that put them at high risk.

Yeah.

They're all wrestlers song.

Yeah.

The rest.

Yeah.

You, sir.

You just you just snuck your address in on the list.

It.

Yeah, yeah.

How do people learn more about or support programs like mobility.

So you can go to our website.

So you can go to our website.

You can stop in any of our job connection centers.

You can look up our number and give any of us a call.

I know any of our individuals who just love to brag about goodwill and what we do and our programs and services any time.

Is there any other program that's seasonal specific, so something that you're looking forward to starting, this summer that our audience would be interested in?

You know, it mostly does revolve around the mowing stuff that we do.

I mean, we we do a tremendous amount of mowing for goodwill in general.

So goodwill has not only our stores, but another revenue source for us is we have janitorial contracts.

Yes.

Right.

And we also do mowing contracts in some light industrial.

So we have mode for the city parks that we've done some of those things.

DNR we upkeep the, I-75 rest stops that, you know, Bowling Green, Findlay, 24 hours, seven days a week and do all the mowing and those things.

So I want to say we were doing, you know, a few hundred acres every ten days of mow every ten days.

That's spectacular.

Yeah.

So we do a lot of that as well.

So I think that was one of the things that made us a natural fit with the SLC on getting these mowing programs.

Also.

Good pun.

Yeah.

Let's talk about, the individuals that that come to to need the services of goodwill.

I think there's always a, a misconception of, of what that individual looks like or what their background is or where they're coming from.

What is the typical client, look like?

We don't have a typical client.

They're all different.

They come from every age, every background, every educational level.

So we have individuals that have come to us.

I just worked with, with an older gentleman, and I said older because he was in our senior program.

That, was halted for a little bit, and he had a master's degree and was looking for employment.

You know, you think about being, you know, close to 70 and something changes.

And your employer, where do you go all the sudden?

Like, how do you get employment?

So yeah, and then we have 18 year olds that just, you know, came out of jail.

Right.

That needed so that all over the board.

Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with the Toledo Community Foundation and their investment in this program?

He had the Community Foundation has funded programs for us for years, and they're a wonderful group.

They really look at opportunities for people in Northwest Ohio and really value what providers like us can do and what the services we can provide.

So, there are valued partners not only to us, but all the nonprofits in Northwest Ohio.

We are an increasingly cynical culture.

You mentioned what the mission is.

Why is important for everyone that this exists, everyone in the community?

Well, I'll give you several reasons, really.

The first of all, you know, when you look at our stores, I go into town halls that are stores to remind, our employees why we're working.

What's our why?

And I see a brand new coat for five, $7 sitting there.

You know, if you're not, if you don't have the funds to do that and your kids out at a bus stop in the morning getting ready for school, that's an invaluable service when you donate.

Where does that stuff go if goodwill doesn't exist?

Just those right on the surface, right?

But then you're looking at individuals getting into employment and contributing to society.

So an individual that maybe comes out of prison, yeah, we get that person a job and that's fantastic.

That person is really happy.

But how did it affect his mom and dad, his brother sister, cousins, it's really spread out.

So without the services that we provide, you know, there's there's a lot of things that wouldn't be done.

And we're proud to do it.

And we're really.

Happy.

If you could put Jamie Farr in another famous movie, what would it be?

Rocky road.

Yes.

What is that?

This is why your mission.

Well, I. Think, one more time.

If people want more information on goodwill, where can they find it?

Just definitely going to.

Give you Rocky.

No, he's got to be Apollo.

I think he's got to go.

Apollo, we're going.

To follow up the follow up.

Yeah.

On your website, which is more important than that stupid question.

Yeah, yeah, that's definitely going to be a goodwill Northwest ohio.com.

Great.

But you wouldn't be that rush.

Oh we're getting canceled.

The getting canceled.

That's what we're doing David.

Thank you so much.

Thank you I appreciate it so much.

Thanks for having the best of luck this summer with the program.

And we appreciate, you being on here with us.

And I think what Bill does I great.

Thanks, guys.

All right.

We'll take a break.

When we come back, we'll wrap up this mystery guest edition of the 419.

Every day when you land with us, you learned with us a neighbor.

We made sure your childhood with special memories that could only be provided by PBS and you.

For generations, we've given you programs that made a difference.

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Welcome back to the 419 powered by GTI as we wrap up a mystery guest edition.

Matt.

Well done.

Good job.

Matt.

Yep.

Karen Wilkins is fantastic.

She's.

One of the best people you'll meet in this town.

Truly?

Yeah.

No doubt.

Yeah, I was going to say that, plenty of great, momentum and work, being done across the city parks.

Just a world of difference for a myriad of reasons.

Joe foster, Carine Wilkins.

The leadership on the 22nd floor, led by the mayor, Abby Arnold.

Gretchen, your leadership, while you were there.

And people lives are definitely, been improved by by that that work.

Well, I didn't know the story of kind of her kind of drives that, you know, the conversation with her daughter and kind of that motivation of, like, I don't get to do the things in Toledo that I got to do in New York.

Right?

I don't get to, you know, get outside and explore.

And so usually that anecdote is about Broadway or, you know, some fancy new restaurant, but this is just about wanting to have access to green space.

Yeah, absolutely.

And then talk about green space, baby targets and the mobility program mode of, you.

Know.

Mobility.

All right.

Got it.

Yeah, that was great.

And goodwill for IBM fascinates me on, just how much they do.

Agreed.

And how important the stores are to fueling that mission.

That was really cool.

Yeah.

You say whether you're donating to it, going in there, shopping, whatever it may be, all of it supports their mission.

Kevin, what movie would you put Jimmy for?

Thank you.

Man.

The waterboy.

Yeah.

It's the waterboy.

Sure.

Okay.

Gretchen.

I said Shrek, but as Fiona.

Not Shrek.

Yeah.

Yeah, you could do it that way, because it's a really good range.

Yeah.

He's got range.

You don't do a cannonball run without Oscar caliber talent.

That's right.

Said no one.

Will see you in Cannonball Run.

I think the only thing to be done here is to have Jamie Foxx.

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