The Centerville-Washington Park District will open a new, 23-acre park with help from a Centerville family’s donation.

The district acquired the plot of land along Social Row Road in southwest Centerville from Divided Ridge, Ltd. It is currently an undeveloped field. While the district is still in the preliminary stages of development, the land shows a lot of potential, said Carol Kennard, director of the district.

“The features are still up in the air. We just recently acquired the property, but we’re in the process of drawing up the master plan for the park,” she said.

Shortly after finding the land, the city was approached by a longtime Washington Township resident, Robert Mays, who made a donation to help develop the land. In his honor, the new facility will be named Robert F. Mays Park.

Kennard noted an open house will be held once a draft plan has been created, so that the public can give input about what the park needs. She noted no community park is located in southwest Centerville, making the land an ideal opportunity.

“We’re always keeping an eye on undeveloped land in the community. One of the original ideas was a park in every neighborhood so everyone has a park in walking distance of home,” she said. “We have nature parks, neighborhood parks and community parks, which are the larger ones developed for large, organized group activities.”

Among plans currently being considered, the park will have athletic fields, shelter house facilities for rental, and a playground. Encouraged by area non-profit Washington Township Trails, Inc., the park will also create a multi-use trail along Social Row Road that connects to surrounding neighborhoods.