Pondview Park reopens to public

KETTERING — Pondview Park, Ohio’s first self-guided environmental park designed to help people of all abilities experience nature, hosted a grand opening Friday, April 30.

Pondview has been part of the Kettering Parks system for years. The renovation was made possible by a $426,000 Access to Recreation Initiative grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to The Dayton Foundation, to enhance access and educational experiences for individuals with disabilities.

The city of Kettering provided $334,000 in matching funds towards the new Pondview Park Environmental Learning Center, which encourages families, schools and those with disabilities to learn about and restore nature where they live.

The park, at 2320 Pondview Drive, has an accessible trail system consisting of six learning pods, scenic overlooks and observation points for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, canes and strollers.

A forest-growth learning site, prairie restoration programs and a butterfly garden are part of the outdoor learning experience.

“Kettering is very proud to be associated with this project,” said Kettering Mayor Don Patterson. “The Parks Recreation and Cultural Arts Department is dedicated to making all of our parks and facilities accessible to everyone. This project is an example of the progressive thinking and the innovative approach we take with our park projects.”