Published April 23, 2020
Discover A New Park In The Dayton Region
Heads up! This article was published 4 years ago.
Notice crowds in your favorite MetroPark? The wealth of natural spaces, trails, paved trails, riverways and park districts in our region ensures there’s plenty of greenspace to go around.
With numerous closures due to COVID-19, families have headed to parks and trails in large numbers. In fact, Ohio has a seen a 117% increase in park visitation since the state’s stay-at-home order began. Large crowds at parks make it challenging to maintain the CDC’s recommended 6-foot social distancing guidelines, which are critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19.
If you pull into your favorite MetroPark, neighborhood or city park and the lot is full or you see crowds, be flexible and consider visiting a different park destination. Doing this will help keep fellow parkgoers and park staff safe.
BEFORE YOU GO
Many park districts and municipalities have closed specific parks, trails and amenities, such as restrooms, water fountains, playground equipment and more. You may need to carry out all your trash, including dog waste. Before you visit, call or visit each park’s website to ensure your destination is open and learn how to prepare for your visit.
If you’re heading to a “lesser-visited” Five Rivers MetroPark, plan ahead by visiting metroparks.org/COVID-19.
REGIONAL STATE PARKS
Hours for *most parks are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and parking is limited.
Public restrooms, cabins, campgrounds, playgrounds, golf courses and more are closed. Additionally, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center (Erie County), Hocking Hills State Park and the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area are closed. To learn more, visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ operations page.
- Caesar Creek State Park: 9000 Center Rd., Wilimington. 513-897-3005. View the interactive trail map.
- John Bryan State Park: 3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs. 937-322-5284. View the interactive trail map. *Note: open during daylight hours.
- Sycamore State Park: 4675 N. Diamond Mill Rd., Trotwood. 513-523-6347. View the interactive trail map.
- Buck Creek State Park: 1976 Buck Creek Ln., Springfield. 937-322-5284. View the interactive trail map.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARKS
Phone: 937-225-4661. Open during daylight hours.
- Art Van Atta Park: 3180 Benchwood Rd., Vandalia
- Arthur O. Fisher: 5661 Dayton-Liberty Rd., Jefferson Township
- Madison Lakes: 581 Olive Rd., Trotwood
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BARK PARK: 6794 Webster St.
Phone: 937-898-4457. Open during daylight hours.
This six-plus acre off-leash dog park is located next to Montgomery County’s Animal Resource Center, at the corner of Webster Street and Wyse Road. Review the Bark Park rules before visiting.
GREENE COUNTY PARKS & TRAILS
Phone: 937-562-6440. Hours of parks vary; visit each park page for additional information.
All restrooms, playgrounds and campsites are closed. Some sites, such as Narrows Reserve, are closed. View a full list of closures.
- Twin Towers Park: 501 Yellow Springs Fairfield Rd., Yellow Springs
- Indian Mound Reserve: 2750 US-42, Cedarville
- Hobson Freedom Park: 2910 Trebein Rd., Fairborn. *Note: fitness trail is closed.
- Koogler Wetland Prairie Reserve: 2735-2779 Beaver Valley Rd., Dayton
- Russ Nature Reserve: 2380 Kemp Rd., Beavercreek. *Note: playscape is closed.
- Karohl Park: 2940 Hohl Dr., Beavercreek. *Note: Parking is limited.
- Creekside Reserve: 761 Factory Rd., Beavercreek
- Phillips Park: 2090 Dayton Xenia Rd., Beavercreek
- Pierce Park: 651 Dayton Xenia Rd., Xenia. *Note: Dog park is closed.
- James Ranch Park: 177 Fairground Rd., Xenia
- Old Town Reserve: 1360 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia
- Kinsey Road Mound: 965 Mound Court, Xenia
- Spring Lakes Park: 2191 Ferry Rd., Sugarcreek Township
- Caesar Ford Park: 520 S. Stringtown Rd., Xenia
- Frank Seaman Park: 4730 Cottonville Rd., Jamestown
CITY OF DAYTON PARKS
Phone: 937-333-8400. Parks are open during daylight hours.
Playgrounds and basketball courts are closed. Prepare for limited access to public restrooms and water fountains. Learn more about guidelines for using the city of Dayton’s parks here.
- DeWeese Park: 2600 DeWeese Parkway
- Triangle Park: 2500 Ridge Ave.
- Belmont Park: 957 Lynhurst Ave.
- Burkham Park: 679 S. Broadway St.
- Burns Jackson Park: 552 Buckeye St.
- Cleveland Park: 3200 Cleveland Ave.
- Cottage Hill Park: 3222 Harvard Blvd.
- Dayton View Park: 600 Edgewood Ave.
- Five Oaks Park: 300 Five Oaks Ave.
- Highview Hills Park: 3610 Palmerston Ave.
- Jane Newcom Park: 1198 Tudor Rd.
- Kettering Field: 444 N. Bend Blvd.
- MacIntosh Park: Edwin C. Moses Boulevard at West Riverview Avenue
- Mallory Park: Germantown Street at Burwood Avenue
- McCabe Park: 3200 Home Ave.
- Nordale Park: Nordale Avenue at Enterprise Avenue
- Walnut Hills Park: 2361 Wayne Ave.
- Welcome Park: 801 Hopeland St.
HUBER HEIGHTS PARKS
Phone: 937-237-5836. Parks are open during daylight hours.
- Belle Plain Park: 7715 Belle Plain Dr.
- Kittyhawk/Menlo Dog Park: 5210 Sabra Ave. *Note: This is an off-leash dog park.
- Rip Rap Park: 6281 Rip Rap Rd.
- Thomas A. Cloud Park: 4707 Brandt Pike
VANDALIA PARKS
Phone: 937-890-7709. Parks are open during daylight hours.
The Vandalia Recreation and Senior Centers and playgrounds are closed. Learn more about additional closures.
- Art Park: 256 E. Alkaline Springs Rd.
- Ashbury Farms Park: 1701 Ashworth Dr.
- Brown School Road Park: 792 Hunter’s Chase
- Copperfield Park: Accessible from Greystone Circle and Middlefield Court
- Jeffers Park/Community Gardens: 407 Halcyon Ave.
- Helke Park: Accessible from Randler Avenue
- Robinette Park: Accessible from Enola Court
- Victory Park: Accessible from Cyril Court, Clyde and Attica Streets
- Warner Park: 405 Allenhurst Ave.
ENGLEWOOD PARKS
Phone: 937-836-5929. Hours vary, but most parks are open during daylight hours.
The city offices are closed. Playgrounds, restrooms and recreation centers, such as the Kleptz YMCA, may be closed. View the city of Englewood’s Bikeways and Recreation brochure.
- Bruin Park: 201 N. Main St.
- Centennial Park: 321 Union Rd. near North Water Tower
- Doctor Bowers Park: Access is limited to those on foot or bicycle via the Englewood Reserve Bikeway
- Englewood Reserve Bikeway: 4361 W. National Rd., Dayton
- Gazebo Park: 210 S. Main St.
- Jake Grossnickle Memorial Park: 137 Heathcliff Rd.
RIVERSIDE CITY PARKS
Playgrounds, playscapes, shelters, restrooms and water fountains may be closed. Hours at parks vary. Visit the city of Riverside’s website for more information.
- Shellabarger Park: 5875 Bayside Dr.
- Rohrer Park: 720 Rohrer Blvd.
- Drennen Park: 5731 Penn Ave.
CENTERVILLE-WASHINGTON PARK DISTRICT
Phone: 937-433-5155. Parks and trails are open during daylight hours.
Parks are open for walking, running and cycling. Playgrounds, basketball courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, the sand volleyball court, the skate park, the dog park, outdoor fitness equipment and restrooms (including portables) are closed.
View a complete list of Centerville-Washington Park District locations.
Parks with walkable trails:
- Beechwood Springs: 1141 Quiet Brook Trail
- Big Bend: 1328 Spring Ash Dr.
- Bill Yeck: Multiple entrances
- Black Oak: 1552 Ambridge Rd. or 7766 Bigger Rd.
- Black Oak East: 7835 John Elwood Dr.
- Brittany Hills: 5825 Batsford Dr.
- Donnybrook: 6161 Donnybrooke Dr. or 6161 Millbrook Dr.
- Forest Walk: 7570 Forest Brook Blvd.
- Grant: Multiple entrances. *Note: A section of Grant Park’s yellow trail has been temporarily closed.
- Greene Line: 6774 Crossbrook Dr. or 2170 Briggs Dr.
- Nutt Woods: 10188 Ashpark Ct.
- Oak Creek South: 790 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. (State Rt. 725)
- Quail Run: 1180 Timberhawk Trail or 9561 Quailwood Trail
- Watkins Glen: 825 Watkins Glen Dr.
- Willowbrook: Multiple entrances
- Woodbourne Springs: 220 W. Whipp Rd.
CITY OF KETTERING PARKS
Phone: 937-296-2400. Parks are open during daylight hours.
All playgrounds, basketball courts, pickleball courts at J.F. Kennedy Park, tennis courts at Ernst Park, the BMX track and sand volleyball courts at Delco Park, and the Rob Dyrdek/DC Skate Plaza in Indian Riffle Park are closed. For more information on the city of Kettering’s closures click here. For an interactive map of the city of Kettering’s parks and amenities click here.
CITY OF MIAMISBURG PARKS
Phone: 937-866-8999. Parks are open during daylight hours.
The skate park, playgrounds and play equipment are closed. For more information on closures, click here. For a map and complete list of trails and amenities in Miamisburg click here.
- Meadow Lane Park: 2025 Old Central Ave.
- Sycamore Trails Community Park: 400 S. Heincke Rd.
- Sycamore Trails Park: 214 S. Heincke at State Rt. 725
BELLBROOK SUGARCREEK PARKS DISTRICT
Phone: 937-848-3535. Parks are open during daylight hours.
Playgrounds, restrooms, tennis courts and basketball courts are closed. For more information, click here.
- Bellbrock Park: 57 N. Main St.
- Magee Park: 1820 Little Sugarcreek Rd.
- Petrikis Park: 3771 W. Franklin St.
- Ron Kehl Park: 1730 Sonoma Ct.
- Robert E. Gooding Addition: 2751 Washington Mill Rd.
- Sackett-Wright Park/Barnett Addition: 3371 State Rt. 725
- Sweet Arrow Reserve: 789 Little Sugarcreek Rd.
- Washington Mill Park: 3311 Washington Mill Rd.
- Morris Reserve: 3151 Lower Bellbrook Rd.
BRUKNER NATURE CENTER: 5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Troy
Phone: 937-698-6493. Brukner Nature Center’s trails are open during daylight hours.
The Interpretive Building is closed. No pets are allowed. View Brukner Nature Center’s trail map.
WOODLAND CEMETERY & ARBORETUM: 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton
Phone: 937-228-3221. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The mausoleum is locked during the week to people who aren’t there to visit loved ones and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more about connecting with nature at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum.
PARKS WITHOUT PLAYGROUNDS
Families with young children may be challenged with keeping them away from playgrounds while they are closed. For a complete list of area parks without playgrounds, visit this Dayton Parent Magazine blog.
Did we miss one of your favorite local parks? Let us know by contacting marketing@metroparks.org.
Always follow the CDC’s recommendations, such as social distancing, when spending time outdoors. For more information and to learn how you can safely use area parks and trails, visit metroparks.org/COVID-19. Stay up-to-date on alerts, closures and ways to get outside by following MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
