Old River Park to stay closed in 2012

UD, which owns park, hires a design firm to create restoration plan.

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer 8:01 PM Sunday, February 5, 2012

DAYTON — Old River Park will remain closed for a second year while the University of Dayton develops a timeline and funding plan for making multimillion-dollar improvements in phases, university officials said.

UD, the park’s owner, has hired SWA Group, a landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, to create a master plan for the park’s restoration.

Officials said the plan will focus on preserving the 48-acre park’s historical character and natural beauty while connecting it to campus and guiding its development for academic, research and recreational use.

“We look forward to seeing what improvements the university and SWA Group plan to make to safeguard Old River’s remaining historic features,” said Brady Kress, president and chief executive of Dayton History, which operated the park for two seasons.

Old River Park opened in 1939 to NCR Corp. employees and their families. The park, off South Patterson Boulevard, was created by the Olmsted brothers, whose firm designed New York City’s Central Park.

NCR closed the park in 1998 as a cost-cutting measure, then reopened it in 2009 under an operational partnership with Dayton History. Soon after, the company announced it was leaving Dayton.

UD bought 115 acres, including Old River Park and the former NCR building, in 2009 to house the school’s research institute, alumni affairs and other operations. The park was closed last year so the university could develop a plan for its restoration.

SWA Group has offices in California, Texas, China and United Arab Emirates.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDaily News.com.

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