Beavercreek awarded 500K federal grant to buy land for new park

BEAVERCREEK — The City of Beavercreek announced Monday it has been awarded with a half million-dollar federal grant, which will be used to secure land to develop the city’s largest park.

Through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the United States National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) awarded the city $503,000, according to a release.

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The city says it has plans to use the money to purchase 100-acres of land from Miami Valley Research Park Foundation, located along Grange Hall Road, between Patterson and Shakertown Roads.

In total, the city says it plans to acquire 148 acres of land for the new park, making it more than two times larger than the city’s current largest park, Rotary Park.

The city says it conducted a community survey in 2019 and asked residents about the city’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Division. According to the city, sixty percent of households reported “a need for large community parks.”

“Resident feedback is critical in moving the City of Beavercreek in the right direction,” said City Manager, Pete Landrum. “The purchase of this land allows the city to protect Beavercreek’s natural resources, prevents commercial and residential development, and preserves green space for future generations to enjoy.”

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The city says the plan will consist of two phases. City leaders will request an additional $235,000 in grants from the same fund in November 2021 to secure the remaining 48 acres, according to the release.

The city says it will also match the LWCF grant dollar-for-dollar and use funding from park fees, money the city has collected from developers in Beavercreek.

“Park fees can only be used to purchase land for parks,” said Landrum. “Not a single taxpayer or levy dollar will be used for the city’s local match to purchase this land.”

Once all funding is received and the purchase of land is finalized, the city says it will create a master plan for the use of park space.

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