MetroParks has achieved much since its last levy

ENLARGE PHOTO

Park officials taking no chances to pass levy

How often do you visit one of the area's MetroParks?

Vote Limit: Once per Week

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 5:29 PM Monday, October 12, 2009

It’s been a long time since Five Rivers MetroParks has gone to voters to seek support — nearly 10 years, to be exact.

But in that time, the parks agency has transformed itself with a steady stream of high-profile developments.

Since 2000, the parks agency has:

• Built out downtown Dayton’s RiverScape.

• Opened a Children’s Discovery Garden.

• Started an Outdoor Recreation Department,

• Added 3,700 conservation acres.

• Overhauled the neglected Hills and Dales park to the tune of $4 million.

• Built a backpacking trail in Germantown.

• And added bike trail miles that will eventually connect Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the system.

Listing the frequently over-subscribed fall activities at MetroParks locations requires a 51-page booklet.

Parks advocates still say they’ll spend $200,000 in private donations before Election Day, Nov. 3, to campaign for Issue 4, the 10-year replacement levy that should generate a maximum of $17.9 million annually for the life of the levy. Electronic media ads begin this week.

The levy will cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an estimated $55.13 per year. That’s about $10 more per year than homeowners are paying now for the parks, said Charlie Shoemaker, MetroParks executive director. The levy would be effective starting in January.

Shoemaker said the aim for the next decade is to keep facilities updated, improve river and stream access, create a 360-acre wetland in Trotwood on land once designated to become a landfill and ongoing land conservation efforts.

There’s also the re-engineering of the Englewood MetroParks low dam to restore a portion of the Stillwater River.

Levy failure could be potentially catastrophic, Shoemaker said, as the levy proceeds are needed for 80 percent of operating revenues.

“There would be truly dramatic cuts in programming and staffing,” he said in answer to what would happen if the levy is defeated.

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