40. Community Need Five Rivers MetroParks is the Dayton region’s conservation leader. The purpose of the organization is to protect natural areas, parks, and river corridors and to promote the conservation and use of these lands and waterways for the ongoing benefit of the people in the region. In the early 1990s, MetroParks recognized two foundational strategies: first, to succeed in our conservation goals, the agency must focus on our region’s waterways; and second, that MetroParks must provide opportunities for people in the urban environment to connect to nature.
To accomplish this, MetroParks took over management of seven poorly maintained City of Dayton parks along the four waterways that converge in the city. Focusing on their relationship to the rivers and amenities that would attract urban dwellers that were more unaccustomed to natural environments, MetroParks invested heavily in these parks. Island MetroPark, a 43-acre gem located a mile north of downtown at the confluence of the Great Miami and Stillwater rivers, was reopened after full renovation in 1997. The park quickly became one of Dayton’s most popular destinations.

Twenty years later, more than 3,000 members of the Dayton community came together to create a vision for their riverfronts as a more connected, activated, and healthier resource for the future. Downtown Dayton lies at the center of the riverfront planning area and expands out three miles in four directions. The Dayton Riverfront Plan includes an overall framework for the greater downtown area and river corridors as well as conceptual designs to improve ten riverfront parks, including Island MetroPark.

The site plan for Island MetroPark proposes broad improvements to the park. Key improvements include replacement of the popular 25-year-old splash pad and playground which has reached the end of their useful life. Due to the age of these amenities, costly repairs are increasingly needed, causing prolonged periods of time when they are inoperable and unavailable to the public. Additionally, the original design of the band shell has left it in a challenging condition. The utilities, restrooms, and operational storage are in a basement beneath the stage. Given the proximity to the river, these underground spaces have deteriorated to the point that the band shell can no longer be used effectively. With this handicap, activity has nearly ceased, and the structure and surrounding amenities have continued to deteriorate. The only remaining event is the African American Cultural Festival held throughout the park, which continues because the group elders insist that the natural setting of the park feels so authentic to their community that it’s worth the inconvenience, limitations, and extra effort. The Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation is currently fundraising aggressively for these projects.

Approximately 80 percent of Five Rivers MetroParks’ funding comes from a property tax levy supported by Montgomery County taxpayers which helps the agency protect and maintain local greenspaces and waterways, as well as provide clean, safe parks and opportunities for residents from across the region to enjoy the outdoors. The elimination of the tangible personal property tax funding and the reduction of local government funding has resulted in a loss of over $2 million per year in funding for the agency. This has significantly reduced available funding for capital repairs and replacement, as well as new capital investments for maintaining and improving the region’s MetroParks.