2010 Annual Motor Vehicle Permits
NOW ON SALE!!
They make great gifts... give the gift of the great outdoors this year to your friends and family for only $10!

Breakfast with Santa

Sunday, December 6

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Voice of America Park

Click here for details and registration information!

New Years Eve Lakeside Celebration!

If you are 21 years or older, join us at the Ronald Reagan Lodge in Voice of America Park for a memorable evening to celebrate the arrival of 2010.  Party begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 31st!  Click here for full details.

Thank you to everyone who participated in MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY!!

“MetroParks are naturally appealing!”

 MetroParks of Butler County was established in 1955 in accordance with state law for the purpose of preserving and restoring areas of outstanding natural significance within the county.  MetroParks currently manages over 3,000 acres of land in over 20 parks throughout the county.  MetroParks offers active recreational opportunities such as hiking, walking and jogging, fishing, boating, camping in a wide variety of beautiful and convenient settings.  There are also opportunities for more passive recreation such as visiting interesting historical sites and natural areas recognized as important to wildlife.      

  **Note:  MetroParks of Butler County is not supported by any local dedicated taxes, so a motor vehicle permit is required to bring a motor vehicle into the parks.  The fee ranges from $5 for a daily pass and $7-$10 for the 2009 calendar year.  This minimal annual fee helps to keep the parks safe and clean so please remember to purchase one before you visit a park.  Permits are available to purchase online, at the administrative headquarters, Lakota YMCA, any Greater Miami Valley YMCA, the Liberty Township Administration Building or any Ranger.

New 2010 permits ($5 for a daily and $10 for an annual permit) go on sale November 15th... and don't forget to give the gift of parks for a full year.... permits make GREAT holiday gifts... it's even the perfect gift for that person who "has everything"!

 Answer to the joke in Fall 2009 Newsflyer:
"Nothing... he didn't recognize them!"  HaHaHaHaHaHa!!
If you have a funny animal joke, email it to MetroParks! Your joke could be in the next newsflyer!

  The MetroParks of Butler County wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to the Hamilton Community Foundation and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation whose grants helped to make some of our programs, such as Art in the Park, Earth Camp and HealthNuts, possible this summer.  Grants, donations and volunteer support are now crucial for the survival of your favorite park programs.  If you or someone you know are interested sponsoring, volunteering, or presenting a program at one of our parks, please contact our office today at 513-867-5835.

ATTENTION VISITORS:

Please note that some parks will be placed on the reserved list for the winter months. This is being done in part due to the lack of seasonal usage but also in an effort to cut costs as annual revenue for the parks is down for 2009 by $500,000.  MetroParks welcomes the efforts of individuals or organizations to volunteer, adopt-a-park or spread the word about the need for more consistent revenue streams during this critical time period. These parks will remain available with a special permit and any current issued permits will be honored.  If you have a special permit, please have it with you and ready to present to a staff member if requested.  

The following parks will be added to the reserve list:

Indian Creek Pioneer Church & Burial Ground (October 1st)

Woodsdale Regional Park (October 1st)

Antenen Nature Preserve (October 1st)

Indian Creek Preserve -Springfield Road entrance and upper area...  (November 1st) --lower area off SR 732 remains open

Gilmore Ponds Interpretive Preserve (October 1st) - note: due to erosion, the trail along the canal on the northern border of the park will be closed indefinitely.

The river access area located off Liberty-Fairfield Road will be closed indefinitely due to bridge construction.

  Amphitheater Concept for Voice of America Park Plays Big Role in Overall Plan...

The local architecture firm of McGill Smith Punshon recently completed a 3-D conceptual animation for MetroParks of Butler County to represent the proposed amphitheater for the Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio. The animation allows for a true sense of this venue’s potential by giving a bird's eye view of the current architectural rendition. This open air venue would be convenient to residents of Butler, Hamilton, Warren and Montgomery counties and provide an outdoor space to enjoy outdoor cultural events such as concerts, bands and plays.

Current plans include undercover seating for 3,500 and seating for an additional 6,500 on the lawn. When complete, this unique facility is projected to provide Butler County with an additional $11.5 million in revenue to the local economy (according to a study done by Zeitgeist Consulting for the Butler County Visitor's Bureau in 2009).

This facet of development is part of a larger plan for the Voice of America Park that will incorporate the existing lodge and 35 acre lake and ultimately include natural areas, expanded dog park, playgrounds and large athletic complex. The amphitheater is planned to be on the north end of the 435 acres owned by MetroParks of Butler County.
       

MetroParks is working in cooperation with McGill Smith Punshon, West Chester Chamber Alliance and other local professional entities to keep this project moving forward. Actual construction of this facility, however, cannot begin until funding is secured. MetroParks is pursuing both government and private funding sources to turn this exciting concept into reality. For partnership and/or naming opportunities for this and other MetroParks’ projects, please contact MetroParks' Executive Director at 513-867-5835.
      

Check it out and click:  http://www.mcgillsmithpunshon.com/contents/portfolio/MPR_voa_video.html