Holland/Springfield

General Overview
Springfield Township is one of the fastest growing communities in northwest Ohio. Situated in Lucas County and incorporating the Village of Holland (located in the eastern portion of Springfield Township), the community offers a small town lifestyle, yet is close to the big city attractions of Toledo. The development of office and commercial parks including the Holland Business Center, Springdale Industrial Park and Wolfe Creek Executive Park have attracted many new businesses to the area. The area's school district, Springfield Local Schools, is the only school district in northwest Ohio to be awarded an Ohio Partnership for Excellence Tier II Award in 2006. Springfield Township's cost of living is 12.96% lower than the U.S. average.

History
Founded in 1847, Holland was named in 1867 and started its commercial development with a blacksmith shop, general store and hardware store. The first train ran through Holland on May 22, 1852, and the first depot was located south of the tracks near Holloway Road. The village is currently working with Springfield Township to create a historical rail park in the area.

Holland was incorporated in 1923, when it had just 503 residents. In 1938, Strawberry Acres Park hosted the first Strawberry Festival which is now held every June in Homecoming Park. This event features a parade, amusement rides and lots of strawberry edibles. Today the village is home to over 125 manufacturing, retail and service oriented businesses.

Government Services
Springfield Township is governed by a three-member board of trustees who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1.

The Village of Holland is run by a mayor and town council and has its own police department.
The Lucas County Sheriff's Office operates a full service law enforcement division with a Marine Patrol, K-9 Unit, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program, Critical Incident Response Team and the Lucas County Block Watch.

The Springfield Fire Department houses 18 pieces of apparatus, 4 engines, 2 ladders and 4 first responder rescue units and 2 advanced EMS units. A 100-foot aerial truck and ALS unit with a paramedic were added in 2000/2001.

Tax Rates
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: 1.4% ($1,293)

Employment
The majority of Springfield Township's workers are employed in construction, transportation, hospitality, health care, metal products and educational services.

Recreation
Strawberry Acres Park in Holland has playgrounds, basketball/tennis courts, a baseball diamond, walking trail and a picnic shelter house. Community Homecoming Park, Lincoln Green Park, Carmella Gardens Park and Bear Creek Park are part of the Township's park system and feature playgrounds, picnic areas, trails, ball fields, benches and shelters.

Community Organizations
American Legion: Holland Post 646, Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio Inc , Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Senior Center, Boy Scouts: Erie Shores Council: Swan Creek District, Girl Scouts; Maumee Valley Council, Muscular Dystrophy Association