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But that’s not nearly enough to handle the thousands that organizers are anticipating daily during the eight-day celebration that includes more than 100 hours of events, activities and entertainment marking Miamisburg’s 200th birthday.
To help keep parking and traffic hassles to a minimum, free shuttles will run at least 12 hours daily. The route will begin at Mound Business Park, where there are several hundred free parking spaces, and loop through Miamisburg, stopping at a handful of parking lots with Central Avenue and Main Street two of the key points.
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“With obvious limitations around Riverfront Park, it only made sense to create a shuttle system for the convenience of visitors,” said Kimm Mote, a member of the bicentennial committee. The “business park offers acres of parking and was an easy pick for to locate the hub.”
Operation hours for the free shuttles will be as follows: Saturday, June 16, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday through Friday, June 17-22, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, June 23, 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
They will department from the Mound Business Park about every 20 minutes and include six other stops on the loop, Mote said.
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They include: the Miamisburg branch of the Dayton Metro Public Library, the Miamisburg Community Center; the Ferry Street parking lot; the Linden Avenue and Main Street parking lot; Heritage Village; and the community parking lot, organizers said.
A block west of Main Street, Riverfront Park is on the banks of the Great Miami River, with the regional bike trail in between. Streets that border the park will generally be open only to those with a role in the events/activities, such as vendors, according to Miamisburg police.
Police are urging people to park legally, as penalties for parking violations will not be treated any different than at other times of the year.
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“It’s going to be an active week, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that our visitors have a great time in a safe family atmosphere,” according to Miamisburg Police Chief John Sedlak. “When it comes to traffic and parking, I would just urge motorists to be patient.”
During the celebration the city will have some road closures. Two include parades on Central Avenue (Ohio 725) from 12th to Main streets on opening day and closing day.
They “will be temporary, intermittent closures for events, but we’re trying to minimize these,” according to Gary Giles, Miamisburg Public Information Officer.
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Those wanting to avoid road traffic and automobile parking may choose another option: bicycling. The regional bike trail runs along the Great Miami River and spots to park bikes are located in and around the park, as well as some areas of downtown.
“All along the bike way, several of the businesses – several places downtown – we’ve placed these,” said Miamisburg City Manager Keith Johnson.
“If we’re going to get more visitors in tied to the event, we’re capable of bringing in other parking facilities for them,” he added.
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