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RiverScape additions invite visitors, skaters, commuters

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By Ken McCall, Staff Writer 8:47 PM Sunday, June 27, 2010

DAYTON — Undoubtedly, the most striking addition to RiverScape MetroPark is the 17,346 square-foot pavilion.

Made of attractive white woven Fiberglas fabric stretched over steel trusses, the structure will not only house concerts and other regularly scheduled events, and provide welcome shade and a place to relax during the warmer months, but it will also in late fall and winter cover a new ice skating rink that has 50 percent more ice on which to maneuver.

The third phase of RiverScape also includes facilities that the park district hopes will draw more recreational users to the park and the many miles of connected recreational trails along the river corridor.

The Bike Hub will offer rentals of pedal boats, roller blades and bikes — including tandems and child carriers. It will have public restrooms, bike racks, an outside tire pump, cycling accessories for sale and coin-operated lockers.

Inside, the hub will offer secure bike parking, lockers, and shower and bathroom and changing facilities for up to 40 bike commuters. Commuters can become a member with a swipe card to the locked facility for $40 a season, said Brent Anslinger, MetroParks outdoor recreation coordinator. The fall and winter seasons will be combined for one price. The application will go online today at www.metroparks.org/cycling.

“The facility is about encouraging new commuters just as much as people who have been commuting for years,” Anslinger said. “It’ll be a place to shower that maybe they haven’t had before.”

A test group of about 33 riders will try out the facility during July, he said, and will offer feedback on how the program runs. Members can begin using the bike hub in August.

Several members of nearby businesses are signed up in the test group, Anslinger said.

“Hopefully a little core group will evolve out of that, and it starts to become a bike commuting culture that comes out of these businesses that are located really close to the hub,” he said.

The Bike Hub will also feature a new food vendor — Skyline Chili, but with a twist. Along with traditional Skyline fare, it will offer salads, wraps, fruit, sandwiches and cold treats.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2393 or kmccall@DaytonDailyNews.com.

RiverScape events:

Summer activities at RiverScape MetroPark:

Big Band Nights: Area big bands play every Thursday night in July and August.

RiverTunes: A free concert series featuring rock n’ roll to country almost every Saturday night through Labor Day weekend.

Cityfolk Festival: Dayton’s traditional arts organization, presents the region’s largest multi-cultural festival. Three days of music from across America and around the world, food, family art-making activities and more. July 2-4.

City of Dayton fireworks: Saturday, July 3, at 10 p.m.

Dayton Celtic Festival: The ninth annual festival features live music and dance on three stages. Celtic arts and language, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, food, beverage, a traditional Gaelic Mass and Celtic breakfast on Sunday. July 30-Aug. 1.

Dayton African-American Cultural Festival: A one-day, family event brings the African-American experience to Dayton through culture, education and music. The festival also features an African Village, a pavilion of paintings and live R&B, Gospel and jazz performances. Saturday, Aug. 28.

Hispanic Heritage Festival: Annual celebration of Hispanic culture features continuous musical entertainment, authentic Latin food, and cultural dance with activities for the entire family. Saturday, Sept. 11.

Taste of Miami Valley: Local restaurants provide food samples, representing the best of the culinary arts in the Miami Valley. Sept. 17-18.

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