Dr. Mike Luzar, 72, is a common sight at Poland Township Park. He continues to be a strong volunteer who devotes his time to mowing and whatever else is needed to make the park a great place for families. Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse

POLAND — Anyone visiting Poland Township Park can appreciate the well-maintained grounds, trails and pavilions. Much of that is made possible through volunteers, and one volunteer stands out for his dedication.

“Dr. Mike Luzar is our No. 1 volunteer,” said Ken Filicky, Poland Township Park Board chairman. “He is faithful. He is here all the time and he helps build bird houses, trails, bridges and anything that we ask of him.”

For Luzar, it wasn’t always this way. He originally came from Girard and attended Ursuline High School. He graduated in 1966 and went on to Youngstown State University where he majored in math with a minor in chemistry. From there he attended Ohio State University College of Medicine, later doing a fellowship there in rheumatology.

“I went into private practice in 1979,” he said.

He moved to Poland in 1985 and along with wife Genie, raised three girls (Jessica, Lauren and Michelle) and one boy (Michael), all graduates of Poland Seminary High School.

“At that time I was very busy and hired out my yard work,” he said.

In 2008, Poland Township opened the township park and Luzar began to spend time there walking the dog, jogging or just walking with his wife.

“I retired in 2016,” Luzar said. “I retired and bought a riding lawn mower, a trimmer, a chainsaw and ear muffs.”

At that point he began caring for his own lawn and plants, which he said felt good after years of working indoors.

He continued visiting the park.

“I would always see this fellow (Filicky) working there,” Luzar said. “One day I asked him if he needed help. He told me he would welcome it, and here I am.”

Luzar wasn’t new to volunteering. He said his mother was a volunteer at St. Rose Church in Youngstown. When he was attending YSU, Luzar also volunteered for the Christian Appalachia Project, which had students helping Appalachian residents fix and repair their homes and properties.

“I still donate to them,” Luzar said. “As for the park, I enjoy it so much that I get enjoyment out of helping keep it in good shape.”

Filicky said Luzar is one person he can really county on. He is there every Monday, unless it is raining. He suits up with ear muffs and mows roughly six acres around the playground, pavilion and pollinator gardens.

“I enjoy being outside,” Luzar said. “It is a friendly, pleasant environment. It’s not like work.”

Filisky welcomes anyone who loves the outdoors and the park to come and volunteer some time to help keep Poland Township’s hidden gem in good shape.

“All our volunteers are helping the community,” Filicky said.

Filicky said last year, Luzar and all the volunteers were asked to stay home because of COVID-19. This year they are all getting back into the usual routine, and Luzar is back on the township’s John Deere mower, enjoying his retirement.