The City of Beavercreek has been awarded a $1 million grant from Ohio’s House Bill 2 One-time Strategic Community Investment Program to kickstart the development of Spring House Park, located along Grange Hall Road between East Patterson Road and Shakertown Road. The funding will support phase one of the park’s construction, beginning in the northeast corner, and will cover design services and construction costs for an ADA-accessible playground, an entrance drive, and a paved parking lot.
To gather community input on the project, Beavercreek Parks, Recreation & Culture will host an open house on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the great room at the Beavercreek Senior Center, 3868 Research Park Drive. Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the phase one amenities and view renderings of potential designs and layouts. If you are unable to attend, a survey will be available on the city’s website in the days following the open house.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant and to begin the exciting development at Spring House Park,” said Zach Wike, Beavercreek’s parks director. “The initial construction will provide an immediate enhancement for the Beavercreek community, while ensuring minimal impact on the park’s daily operations and maintenance.”
Design work is already in progress, with construction on the parking lot and playground expected to begin in late 2025. The grant fully covers the costs for the parking lot and playground, meaning no funds from the city’s general fund or park levy fund will be used.
Funding Challenges and Opportunities
The total cost to develop Spring House Park, as outlined in its master plan, is estimated at $36 million, with $17 million allocated for infrastructure. The city does not yet have full funding for the park’s development. A 1.93-mill parks levy proposed in November 2023, which would have funded the project in its entirety, was not approved by residents.
“According to a 2019 community-wide survey conducted by the parks division, residents have expressed a strong desire for a large, community park,” Wike said. “This interest was further reinforced through valuable input gathered during the development of the park’s master plan. We also recognize that residents are concerned about additional financial burdens, which is why city staff are actively exploring alternative funding solutions to bring this vision to life, but it’s going to take some time.”
The city purchased the 148-acre parkland in 2022 after securing a $738,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, facilitated by the United States National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant required a dollar-for-dollar match, which the city provided using park fees collected from local developments. These funds are restricted to parkland purchases.
Looking Ahead
The full phase one development plan includes additional playground equipment, a splash pad, an outdoor fitness area, shelters, restrooms, and expanded paved parking. The total estimated cost for phase one is $4.3 million. While the city has not yet secured full funding to complete the phase, parks staff have applied for additional grants and continue to explore other funding opportunities. The division remains committed to prioritizing projects with minimal or no operational costs.
The $1 million grant marks a significant step toward realizing the vision for Spring House Park, creating accessible, family-friendly amenities for the Beavercreek community to enjoy for years to come.
Commitment to Parks and Recreation
The city remains dedicated to pursuing funding opportunities to enhance its parks and recreational spaces. Since 2015, the parks division has obtained more than $6.1 million in grants, driving key projects and improvements. While grant funding is crucial for advancing new initiatives, obtaining grants for existing parks and structures, such as playgrounds, presents unique challenges. Additionally, park grants cannot be utilized for ongoing operations. Despite these obstacles, the parks division continues to seek funding solutions to maintain and enhance the city’s recreational amenities.
Visit beavercreekohio.gov/parks for more information about Spring House Park and other city parks and facilities.