• minimum lot sizes of one-half acre
• requirements for parks within a half mile of every home
• landscaped buffer strips around tree-shaded parking lots
• strict limitations on the size of business signs
• the elimination of billboards

• Mark-Dale site in the Mad River Estates development at the northeast section of Mad River and Whipp Roads
• Concept site in the southeast section of Centerville
• Washington Park site in the northeast section of Centerville
• Southbrook site, south of proposed intersection of Rosa Linda Dr. and Southbrook Dr.

• the township should have a comprehensive land-use master plan and all amendments should be held until that is complete. In a suburban area with open farmland and no development plan, these amendments could only create chaos, distrust, and uncertainty.
• will density zoning stand up in court?
• will density zoning be an incentive for developers to slice off some for a park and then try to rezone creating even smaller lots?
• who would decide how much money should be paid by the developer so the Park District could acquire an equivalent lot for a park?
• will these amendments open the township up to "graft" if one person or a small group of persons holds the power to decide how much money the township can accept from a builder?
• if township trustees rezone the land do they have the power to give this money to the Park District for the purchase of park land since park commissioners and trustees are not connected or responsible to each other?
• should so much power be in the hands of just a few?
• will smaller sized homes encourage development of cheaper homes?
• maintaining all these parks will continually cost more and more money.
• why do we need to worry, this land will always be farm land?

The park commissioners organized many public meetings to answer questions, resolve concerns and fears, and iron out the issues that were raised. They were intent on trying to find a path between the builders who prefer small lots and more houses, and the citizens who oppose plat development altogether.

Bill Yeck said that there was a time, not too many years ago, when he stood up and argued for zoning that required large lots. He felt that half-acre lots was the way to insure "gracious country living." He said he had changed his mind, although the goal is the same. "Conditions have changed, we are going through a period of compromise. There are still places for large estate-sized lots, but there are areas that are going to be developed without any appreciable green space."

He explained that the purpose of the amendments was to encourage improved use of land in Washington Township, which included reserving land for open spaces, while providing additional ways to control population density. The township demands for large lot sizes and the restrictive zoning laws tended to encourage builders to get their property annexed into other municipalities where zoning is less stringent. Annexation of more than 2300 acres to Centerville and Kettering was blamed directly on the township's stiff zoning. Density zoning would preserve township zoning principles and the character of the community and keep the township intact.

In his presentations, Bill Yeck said that proper development is always a top priority, where everything is designed to be an asset. The Park District has always advocated coordinating with the schools to share cost and space. He answered that the land next to Weller School was too small and not appropriate for a playground. And he said those opposed to the condemnation proceedings for the the Mark-Dale Rd. site should review the facts. He said that plenty of times the commission thought about taking the easy way out, but that wouldn't have given the kids a place to play.

The park commissioners were committed to the promise of the Park District and knew that this was an issue that all were watching. Centerville and Washington Township were in a position to lead the way and demonstrate how the cooperation of all public officials in a community and the land developers can result in a park system that will benefit both community and developer, and at minimum investment by all groups. "We have an opportunity to establish a great open space community and density zoning is a means to accomplish it."

Builder Joseph Rengers said he was for the amendments as a developer. He said the concept of density zoning fit in with homeowners' and prospective buyer's approach to land.

Dale Bertsch of the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission responded to the concern about a master plan and said yes, the township did need one, but they have to start somewhere and this is the place. Open space does not wait.

Centerville resident Erma Bombeck, wrote about the issue in "Zone 59," a column she wrote for the Kettering-Oakwood Times. In the May 7, 1964 issue she said, "If you've never shaken hands with a challenge before, it might inspire you to shake hands with Mr. Yeck, Mr. Burkhart and Mr. George who are working to bring a play area within a half mile of every child in Washington Twp."

In August 1964, a committee was formed to officially construct the amendments. The committee included Robert L. Reed, township trustee, Charles Abramovitz, an engineer with the Ralph L. Woolpert Company, Robert Easton, a member of the Township Zoning Commission, and Bill Yeck, chairman of the park commission. In a last public meeting, on February 18, 1965, the amendments were presented along with a detailed slide show, by Bill Yeck, of what the amendments would mean to the township. Most of the group attending were for the amendments. Finally, the trustees indicated that they would pass the amendments, but wanted to put it off to work out some imprecise wording and do a little minor rephrasing.

In a special Saturday morning session on February 20, 1965, township trustees Ethel Winterhalter, Russell Watkins, and Robert Reed approved the new density zoning amendments to the zoning ordinance. The amendments allowed the density zoning provision that would permit developers of single-family units to reduce lot sizes and transfer the accumulated space to a public park area. They also allowed a variety of development in a project of 20 acres or more while utilizing the density zoning provision and would allow the establishment of privately maintained recreation areas under a homeowners' association.

Evelyn List, zoning inspector said that she had been in disagreement with the park commissioners but had a change of heart. She said she was for it now, has put a lot of study into it, and is going to talk to some builders who want to take 41 acres into Kettering. "I want to have something to show them."

B.E. Clark, Montgomery County Planning Director said that the amendments will enable developers to add variety to their projects.

Harold Freiheit, director of Montgomery and Greene Counties Open Space Study Committee, said the results of this plan may be implemented in the whole county. It is a pilot plan that Montgomery County is waiting for, and will pave the way for this type of zoning throughout other townships.

These amendments were full of a promise to make Washington Township a great Open Space Community by allowing new homeowners to set aside school and park sites for their use without cost to present tax payers. It was a good precedent and the Centerville-Washington Park District was on its way. With the vision of the 1950s and with the 30 circles on the original plan map where neighborhoods would be developed and parks needed, it all fell into place.

The rest of the story is told through the individual parks as each one developed, as the Park District kept its promise of 1959 to the residents of Centerville and Washington Township.

The Commissioners, Staff, and Volunteers

Park Commissioners - In the early days before there was a staff, the commissioners had a large role in land acquisition and daily operations. Once the Park District started hiring, less and less duties and responsibilities fell to the commissioners. Today their responsibilities are in setting policy for the Park District and approving and monitoring the budget. And they are active in the levy campaigns. The commissioners are appointed by the Court of Common Pleas and serve 3-year terms, all without pay. Each year one commissioner is up for re-appointment and they have term limits of 9 years.

Bill Yeck, of course, continued to work behind the scenes with land acquisition and the development of parkland. Rev. Harvey Smith was on the board for 23 years, many of them as president. He worked closely with Bill and continues to volunteer work on the levies.

Staff - In the beginning, taking care of the parks was an informal process and there were always volunteers willing and able to work. In 1965, Larry Marker was hired as a temporary park director. Mary Jo Zoller was hired as part-time secretary and worked for the district until 1994. In 1966, as the number of parks grew, Russell Miller was hired as a part-time director and engineer at $2.75 an hour. In 1967, Richard E. Haley, and his tractor, was hired as a part-time maintenance chief. He worked evenings and on weekends and he was paid $2.50 an hour. If he used his chain saw, a $1.50 an hour was added to his pay. If he needed his pickup truck he was paid 10 cents a mile. Gene E. Cronk was hired as a part-time engineer in 1968.

By the early 1970s, it was clear that part-time help and rented equipment could not handle the job. In 1971, Jack W. Whitesell was hired as special projects supervisor. In 1974, 2 chain saws, a pick up truck, 2 tractors and a rotary mower were purchased. In 1975, the Park District built an operations building at the Activity Center. Ed Kramer was hired as a part-time naturalist in 1978 and Brett Ney was added as a mowing supervisor.

In 1975, James A. Schneider was hired as full time park manager/director. He left in 1982 and the Park District was without a director until 1991 when Rick Tittsler was hired. Carol Kennard, who had been program manager since 1982, was hired as the third director in 1998.

In 1974, Robert F. Feldmann was hired as superintendent. Throughout the years, his job evolved as duties were added. In 2008, his title was changed to development manager, which better reflected his responsibilities.

As park development increased, so did the level of care for the parks. The operations department grew to meet the demand, including the addition of a second shift and weekend crew during the busy months.

The Park District had originally supported the concept of youth baseball, football, and soccer leagues operated by citizens organizations without Park District supervision. But in the 1980s things were pushing for a change. Carol Kennard was hired as the first full-time program coordinator in 1982. She initiated a comprehensive programs of sports instruction, tournaments and leagues for youth and adults, summer recreation programs for children, and nature programs in Grant Park and Sugar Valley Park (now Bill Yeck Park).

Over the next several years, many staff contributed to the success of the programs and the program department grew to four full-time staff. Office management became a priority as programs increased. In time a full-charge bookkeeper, communications coordinator, and business manager filled the office staff requirements.

From 1970 to 1994 the building and grounds design was provided by Joseph F. Hirsch, architect and landscape designer.

Volunteers - When Carol Kennard came on staff as program director, she started a volunteer naturalist program which is still going strong today. Those adult volunteers provide nature programs in the parks. Youth volunteers help with Hidden Meadows Day Camp and the Summer Rec Program in the summer and Winter Woods Day Camp in the winter. These are kids that have outgrown the program but aren't quite old enough to work.

The largest volunteer group in the parks is the youth athletic leagues, which are entirely run by volunteers - league administrators, coaches, and the officials. The Park District provides the field space, coordinates schedules and maintains the athletic fields.

Each year the Park Districts works with 10 to 15 Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts who do projects in the parks to earn their Eagle Rank and Gold Awards.

And service projects, like litter sweeps or cutting back honeysuckle from the trails, are done by special request from various groups. The Park District is more than happy to have their help.