BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WKEF) – The City of Beavercreek closed on an additional 48 acres of land to create the city’s largest park.
The new 48 acres increases the total land along Grange Hall Road to 148 acres.
The combined 148 acres will create a park more than twice the size of the city’s current largest park, Rotary Park, which is 72 acres.
“We are very excited to have made this land acquisition,” said Beavercreek City Manager Pete Landrum. “Our city is committed to providing recreational opportunities to our Beavercreek residents while also preserving as much green space as possible.”
In total, the city was awarded $738,000 in grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) through the United States National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The city used that money to purchase the new park land between Patterson and Shakertown Roads from the Miami Valley Research Park Foundation. This second acquisition completes the city’s two-part plan to acquire land in that area.
The city matched the grants dollar-for-dollar using park fees, money the city has collected from Beavercreek developments that did not dedicate land for a city park.
In 2019, the city conducted a community survey and asked residents about the city’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Division. Sixty percent of households reported “a need for large community parks.”
A high percentage of residents also indicated they wanted to see more trail systems and open spaces in Beavercreek. This new park land will allow the city to fulfill those requests.
“The purchase of this land allows the city to protect Beavercreek’s natural resources, prevents commercial and residential development, and preserves green space for future generations to enjoy,” said Landrum.
Next, the city plans to create a master plan for the use of park space, which will include resident input.
At this time, the city does not have the funds to develop the new park land, and without additional funding, the land could remain undeveloped/green space.