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| Established in 1963 through the efforts of forward-thinking citizens concerned about preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks has grown to a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, sensitive river corridors, urban parks and a network of regional trails and bikeways. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages, and diverse natural habitats are protected and cared for today to assure their future existence.
All this is made possible by Montgomery County citizen support of a property tax levy that provides the majority of MetroParks’ annual budget. One of our four strategic goals as an organization is to be recognized as a responsible steward of the Montgomery County taxpayers’ dollars and as returning a value for those dollars.
Brief history of MetroParks Funding:
- In 1965, to ensure adequate and consistent funding, Montgomery County voters passed a 0.3 mill, 10-year levy on the May ballot.
- In 1974, voters renewed the existing levy (0.3 mill) with an addition of 0.2 mills. The majority of this money was used for land acquisition.
- In the 1970s, inflation brought the park district (MetroParks) to a financial pinch. A fundraising campaign set a goal of raising $500,000 a year beyond the levy income. Most of this came from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund administered by the state. The rest was provided by donations, income from trust funds and the local government fund.
- In May 1984, voters renewed the 0.5 mill levy was for another 10 years .
- In 1988, the MetroParks passed a 0.7 mill, 10-year increase levy, canceling the then-current 0.5 mill levy.
- In 1994, Montgomery County voters approved a 10-year, 1.2 mill levy. The purpose of the levy was to provide additional funds needed to implement a plan to protect and enhance the area's major river corridors while continuing to provide a high level of services at existing park sites.
- In 2000, the citizens of Montgomery County showed overwhelming support of "Parks 21" by passing a new 1.8 mill, 10-year levy (to replace the 1.2 mill levy) with a 65 percent vote in favor of the levy.
- In November 2009, in spite of a recession, citizens soundly chose to “protect our parks” by passing a replacement 1.8 mill, 10-year levy. Their approval by nearly 71 percent demonstrates the Miami Valley’s commitment to high quality, low-cost educational and recreational opportunities as well as their understanding of the need to preserve and protect green spaces for future generations.
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RiverScape Fountain of Lights |
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| Conservation Efforts |
At the core of our mission is the protection and stewardship of the Miami Valley’s natural and cultural heritage.
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| Job Opportunities |
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Five Rivers MetroParks offers a broad range of employment opportunities including
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