RECREATION

MetroParks moving HQ closer to RiverScape

District consolidating staff into former Woolpert building.

Man, 68, drowns at Caesar Creek Lake
5/26/12
Water rescues prompt warning from health officials
5/25/12
Beach Waterpark sued for failure to deliver
5/25/12
Raleigh Trammell’s defense opens in felony trial
5/25/12
UD to move satellite campus to Dublin
5/25/12
> More headlines

By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer 11:59 PM Thursday, August 11, 2011

DAYTON — Five Rivers MetroParks plans to move its administrative headquarters and consolidate programming staff into offices downtown near RiverScape.

The organization opted to lease the third floor of the former Woolpert building at 409 E. Monument Ave. The goal, according to officials, is to streamline operations and services from four locations, along with a staff of 65, into a central office by spring 2012.

Five Rivers MetroParks oversees more than 15,000 acres of forests, grasslands, farmlands and wetlands in Montgomery County.

“As a countywide agency, we want to be at the center of the region,” said Rebecca Benná, executive director of Five Rivers. “Consolidation will improve public access, eliminate the cost of three leased properties, reduce staff travel time, increase productivity and equipment sharing, and save gasoline and energy.”

Five Rivers owns its current headquarters at 1375 E. Siebenthaler Ave. in Dayton’s DeWeese-Ridgecrest neighborhood, a Tudor-style home converted into offices. Val Hunt Beerbower, a public relations specialist for Five Rivers, said Five Rivers must seek approval from probate court before searching for a new owner.

“We’ve just outgrown the building,” Beerbower said. “We definitely looked downtown to show our commitment to the Greater Dayton Downtown Plan.

The new location will offer free public parking as well as a one-stop-shop for services, such as camp site and picnic shelter reservations, and accessibility to maps, brochures and other permit applications.

“It’s a perfect location for them as we continue to develop the (Great Miami) River,” Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership said.

The park district will allow leases to expire in the Beerman Building, 11 W. Monument Ave.; the Kuhns Building, 15 W. Fourth St.; and 224 N. St. Clair St.

Share this article