We are hosting a free event Friday, August 1 from 10 a.m. – noon at Schoolhouse Park. Sudsational will begin with children playing water-themed games from 10 – 11:30 a.m. And then, in a popular end-of-summer tradition, the Washington Township Fire Department will arrive to spray foam for children to slip and slide!

Sudsational is open to children ages 3 – 12 with adult supervision. Pre-registration is not required. Daycares and other large groups are welcome to attend, but please call the Park District in advance at 937-433-5155.

Several seasonal and volunteer opportunities are now available and need to be filled immediately. Weekend and evening schedules will be required. Job applicants must be 18 years of age or older; capable of working in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment; insurable to operate Park District vehicles; and pass a criminal background check. Job posting flyer. Visit our Employment Opportunities page to apply for a seasonal position or call Park Headquarters at (937) 433-5155 to volunteer.

Owlexander’s Tree Trek, the newest Nature Literature Trail, officially opened Saturday, June 14, 2014. There are more than 100 tree species in Ohio and the Tree Trek features 14 of these species, including the tree’s family name, leaf shape, bark appearance, commercial use, and, in some cases, interesting folklore. The Tree Trek is a one mile path that runs through the woods at Bill Yeck Park. 

Owlexander’s Tree Trek is the third trail in a creative collaboration between the Washington-Centerville Public Library and the Centerville-Washington Park District. The Nature Literature Trails are funded by the Yeck Family Foundation.

With construction on Clyo Road in Centerville, the best directions are traveling from the north: travel south on Clyo Road; turn left onto Washington Creek; left on Sugarcreek; right on Mill Trace; left on Rooks Mill - park entrance will be immediately on the right. If you are traveling from the south: travel north on Clyo Road; turn right on Rooks Mill; cross over Spring Valley and continue on Rooks Mill and the park entrance will be 1/4 mile down on the right.

Centerville and Washington Township voters renewed the 0.9 mill levy that was on the ballot May 6, 2014. The levy will fund park operations for another 10 years with no increase in taxes. It provides:

• Operating funds totaling about $1.4 million per year
• Around 30% of day-to-day operational costs for 49 parks encompassing close to 1,000 acres of open space in Centerville and Washington Township. (Remaining funding comes from 2.0 mill levy that expires in 2018, along with some program income, donations and grants.)
• Upkeep of athletic facilities, trails, shelters, playgrounds, skatepark, sprayground, dog park and support amenities
• Requested park improvements

Thank you for supporting your parks!

Monday, March 31, Centerville-Washington Park District's Development Manager Bob Feldmann, appeared on "Centerville Reports Today." Watch now for an overview of the Park District's past ten years, and a preview of the next ten!

Future projects discussed include the Smith property at Bill Yeck Park, the new Robert F. Mays Park development and the upcoming Holes Creek Park trail.

Robert F. Mays Park construction is scheduled to start in the next couple of weeks. Jess Construction, Inc. was awarded the contract for the construction project that includes earth moving, drainage, seeding, planting of grasses/trees, and construction of the parking lot. Jess will be working for the rest of this year on the project with most of the heavy earth moving, drainage and construction taking place over the next six months. The planting and seeding operations are scheduled to take place in September and October of this year. It is our understanding from Washington Township that the construction of Paragon Road extension to the new park entrance and the Wallingsford turn-around is scheduled to start next week, weather permitting.

Future phases of the park development include construction of the shelter with restrooms (in 2015 thanks to a NatureWorks grant received), with playground, fitness stations, and walking trails completed once future funding is secured. View the final approved plan. (The Wallingsford circle is planned, but not shown on this map.)

If you have any questions during the construction project, please call the park headquarters at 937-433-5155.

Watch for future updates here!

The Montgomery County Solid Waste Division has awarded the Centerville-Washington Park District a 2014 Buy Recycled Grant. The Park District received $32,904, which will be used to build a wetland boardwalk and observation deck at Oak Creek South Park, 790 W. Miamisburg-Centerville Road. Materials used to construct the boardwalk and deck will be made of recycled content. Construction will be completed by Park District staff and will take place in fall 2014.

The boardwalk will provide a stable surface for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers, allowing people to safely walk out over the wetland area to better view plants and wildlife. This project will also provide new opportunities for environmental education and nature programs at Oak Creek South Park.

The Park District is committed to environmental responsibility and recently received the Montgomery County Dayton Regional Green 3’s Green Business Certification, a voluntary program designed to help businesses take basic green measures to reduce their ecological footprint, reduce their energy and resource use and save money in the process.

We are proud to announce that we recently received two Awards of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA)! The awards were presented at the OPRA annual banquet held February 4, 2014 in Sandusky, Ohio in conjunction with the 2014 OPRA Annual Conference and Trade Show.

The Oak Grove Park archery range was awarded first place in the sports programs category. In fall 2012, Park District staff built an archery range in a natural setting at Oak Grove Park. Funding for the construction cost was made possible through the Federal Wildlife Restoration Grant. WRF come from federal excise tax consumers pay when purchasing firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. Funds are administered on a state level by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

The native seed nursery, located at Bill Yeck Park, was awarded third place in the natural resources and conservation category. The seed nursery was established in spring 2012 in order to have a steady supply of native seeds to utilize throughout the parks. The seeds are harvested by staff and volunteers. They are then planted in other locations, establishing prairie gardens with beautiful blooms. The seed nursery allows the Park District to reduce emissions through mowing, improve park aesthetics, reduce chemical applications and provide suitable wildlife habitats.

The OPRA Awards of Excellence are judged on: project purpose, goals and objectives, evaluation, community engagement and use of external resources, challenges and creative solutions, and the overall impact of the project. Leaders from park districts statewide judge the contest. Ohio park districts submit their best projects from the previous year for consideration.