|
New Park Commissioner Appointed
Dan Monahan was recently appointed to the Board of Park Commissioners of the
Centerville-Washington Park District. He has been appointed to serve a
three-year term through May 2016. Mr. Monahan is the 16th individual to
serve as a park commissioner since the district’s formation in 1959. He
replaces Bill Williams, who retired from the board after serving his third
three-year term.
Mr. Monahan holds a B.S. from Ball State University
and an M.B.A. from the University of Dayton. He is currently Senior Director
of Global Professional Services at Teradata Corporation. He has also been
active with the Centerville United Soccer Association (CUSA) as the Mead
CUSA Cup tournament director for the past 13 years.
Nearly 30-year
residents of Washington Township, Dan, his wife and 4 children, have enjoyed
spending time in the Centerville/Washington Park District’s parks. “Our
parks are a great source of pride for this community,” said Dan. “We are
lucky to have dedicated open-space nature areas where our residents can
enjoy all that nature offers. The Park District maintains a wide variety of
competition venues for the community, including baseball, football,
lacrosse, soccer and tennis. And let us not forget the many neighborhood
parks that offer our residents areas to relax and play within walking
distance of their homes.”
Hidden Meadows Day Camp Registration
Studies show that children who
play outside on a daily basis demonstrate increased creativity, better
problem solving skills, more focus and flexibility, and better cooperation
in groups.
Hidden Meadows Day Camp offers eight weeks of camp for kids ages
3-12 to
experience the outdoors and take advantage of these benefits.
Each week brings new opportunities to make friends, explore Grant Park,
play games, and make fun crafts. In addition, campers will be treated to
guest speakers, animal shows, and activities related to the weekly theme.
Snacks are provided, but campers need to bring a filled water bottle.
All-day campers should also bring a packed lunch that does not require
refrigeration. All campers receive a T-shirt during their first week.
Campers may request one camper friend of similar age.
Registration for Hidden Meadows Day Camp is now underway.
Participants can register
online, by phone at (937) 433-5155, or in person at park headquarters. A valid email
address is required for online registration. Payment can
be made with a debit or credit card.
Ohio's Return-to-Play Law Goes Into EffectStarting April 26, 2013, Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law (ORC 3707.511)
requires youth sports organizations to provide an information sheet
regarding how to recognize a concussion to the parent or other guardian of
an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in an athletic activity
organized by any youth sports organization.
A youth sports organization is defined in the following language within
the law:
Sec. 3707.51. As used in sections 3707.511 and 3707.52 of the Revised Code,
"youth sports organization" means a public or nonpublic entity that
organizes an athletic activity in which the athletes are not more than
nineteen years of age and are required to pay a fee to participate in the
athletic activity or whose cost to participate is sponsored by a business or
nonprofit organization.
The following links will help you learn how to
recognize a concussion, and general information about the Ohio’s Return to
Play Law, including fact sheets for coaches and parents, and frequently
asked questions.
ORC 3707.511 in Substitute House Bill 143
Youth Sports Concussion Information Sheet for Parents
Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law: What Coaches and Referees Need to Know
(Youth Sports Organizations)
Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law: What Parents/Guardians Needs to Know (Youth
Sports Organizations)
Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law: Frequently Asked Questions
Robert F. Mays Park Master Plan
The
preliminary plan for
Robert F. Mays
Park was reviewed by residents at an open house on March 6, 2013. The
master plan was revised to include suggestions offered by the public. The
revised
plan includes a park shelter, playground, lacrosse fields, walking paths,
native plantings, and parking. The Park District welcomes comments at or (937) 433-5155.
Partners Come Together to Make New 23-acre Park a Reality
Open space preserved by the Centerville-Washington Park District has
increased once again with the addition of a new community park in the
southwest area of the district. “The Park District master plan called for
community parks to be spread throughout the district to be convenient for
the residents,” said Park District Director, Carol Kennard. “Yankee Trace
Golf Course was developed over the targeted area in the southwest region and
preserves a large expanse of green space, but until recently, adequate land
for a community park was not available.” When the Park District became aware
of Divided Ridge, Ltd.’s interest in selling property along Social Row Road
a plan came together. In January the Park District purchased 23 acres, using
funds obligated for park land acquisition.
Around the same time, the Park District was contacted
by a local family who was interested in making a
donation to provide a significant contribution to the
Park District for the benefit of the community. Robert
Mays raised his family in Washington Township, and the
parks were a big part of their everyday lives. In his
early years, Bob and his friends helped develop a new
park in Sidney and now he was interested in helping
create a “jewel in the crown of the parks” for the
Centerville/Washington Township community. “My family
spent many enjoyable hours in our local parks as the
kids were growing up,” said Bob Mays. “We have always
felt proud of the value our parks bring to the
community, and I feel fortunate to be able to support
park growth.”
When the idea came up to develop a new park, Bob Mays
was dedicated to helping make a difference. He made a
substantial commitment to the Park District for the
initial development of this new park. “This is the
largest private donation ever received by the district,”
said Bill Williams, Park Board President. In recognition
of Bob’s generosity, the Park Board officially named the
new park Robert F. Mays Park at their January meeting.
The Park District also became aware of a new
non-profit group, Washington Township Trails, Inc.,
dedicated to providing multi-use trails in the
community. The approved multi-use trail master plan for
providing community connections includes a trail along
Social Row Road, with connections to neighborhoods and
activity centers. Divided Ridge, Ltd. donated land along
the perimeter of the new park area to the trails group,
establishing another partner in the development of this
new park. By purchasing the new park land and partnering
with the trails group, another section of multi-use
trail will be developed for the community’s use.
Next is the exciting process of developing a master
plan for the park. As with other community parks in the
district, basic plans will include athletic fields
(identified need is for lacrosse/soccer), adequate
parking, picnic shelter with restrooms and storage,
all-access playground for year-round use, multi-use
trail, and trees/plantings to provide shade, natural
beauty and an attractive buffer for the adjacent
neighbors. The Park District is interested in the
community’s involvement in planning the park and
identifying other potential amenities to include in the
master plan. Watch for an announcement of an Open House
where residents can view the preliminary plan and
provide input and suggestions.
“The new Robert F. Mays Park is the district’s 49th
park,” said Kennard, “and brings the total preserved
open space in the Park District to
996 acres. It is
wonderful to have 23 acres of preserved green space
along the busy Social Row Road corridor that will only
get busier as development increases.” The generosity of
Bob Mays and the partnership with Washington Township
Trails is the perfect combination for furthering the
mission of the Park District to provide quality parks,
outdoor education, and recreation, while preserving open
space.
Owlexander's Wetland Walk
Owlexander's
Wetland Walk is now open at
Oak Creek South Park, 790 Miamisburg Centerville Road (State Route 725).
This Nature Literature Trail follows a paved path accessible to wheelchairs and
strollers.
Owlexander and his friend Wally the Water Drop will teach you about life at the
wetland - the soil, flowers, birds, water, animals, and
more. While targeted at upper elementary-aged children,
the Wetland Walk is fun and educational for all.
This permanent trail was made possible through a
partnership with the Washington-Centerville Public
Library and was fully funded by the William & Dorothy
Yeck Family Foundation.
Mark Kreusch Nature Playce
The Mark Kreusch Nature Playce
is now open at the Grant Park Nature
Nook, 6588 McEwen Road. The playground was made possible
by a grant from the Mark Andrew Kreusch Memorial Fund of
the Dayton Foundation. The Mark Andrew Kreusch
Memorial Fund was founded by his family to honor his
life and spirit. Mark was four years old when his life
suddenly ended in a boating accident on August 11, 2007.
Mark loved his family, his friends, and embraced life by
enjoying all that he did. His zest for life shined
through his smile and giggle.
Mark's parents vowed to
keep his spirit alive by enriching the lives of other
children. Their dream is to continue his legacy through
various projects that the fund will "Leave a MARK on a
child's life." All elements of the play area
have been built with natural materials making it a truly
outdoor experience in the woods. The different elements
include stump jumps, climbing logs, a digging pit, fort
building area, a bug hotel, and more.
Learn more about this project by viewing an interview on
Centerville Reports Today.
More Park District News
|