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!

   
The Great Cardboard Regatta Boat Race!
is coming to Voice of America Park on July 16-17, 2010!
It will be a FUN time for everyone involved... help on the committee, build a boat, be a sponsor or just come and watch...if you would like to get involved, please email Susan at stretchs@butlercountyohio.org. 

Click here for details and photos!

MetroParks of Butler County is organizing a committee of volunteers who
would like to make a difference for Voice of America Park.
Please join us for an informational meeting on:
Thursday, March 18th
at 7:00pm
Ronald Reagan Lodge
Voice of America Park
7850 VOA Park Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

Exciting public display and school field trip opportunity!

Come to Chrisholm Historic Farmstead May 11 through June 10 to view the Between Fences- A Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition.

Click here for details!

“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 $10 for the 2010 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 MetroParks' administrative headquarters, Lakota YMCA, any Greater Miami Valley YMCA, the Liberty Township Administration Building or any Ranger.

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 jokes in Winter 2010 Newsflyer:
Q1:  To the parrot-teacher conferences!
Q2:  Tweetment!
Q3:  The robber ducky!

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