Montgomery Park Study presented to commission

The Montgomery Parks and Recreation Commission has received a copy of the Park Study, and the findings are generally positive.

The study was commissioned by the City of Montgomery in an effort to assess the current condition of its parks and to recommend future upgrades as part of a ten-year Parks Master Plan.

It found that the city's parks were generally in good condition, and well-financed, with $117 spent per resident compared to $216 for Sharonville, $46 for Loveland and $21 for Madeira.

It also found that every Montgomery citizen is within a five-minute drive or walk from a park, and that the system's trail network is "the envy of other communities".

Five recommendations emerged:

* Think regionally and work with neighboring communities
* Find opportunities to add park or recreation space in the downtown area
* Prioritize maintenance
* Add green technologies wherever possible
* Pursue alternative funding sources, including grants, partnerships or a parks foundation

Specific recommendations were also made for improvement projects at each of the city's parks, with an estimated total cost of $6.1 million.

An implementation subcommittee, which will consist of representatives of City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and city staff, will soon be formed to review the study and to make long-term recommendations that the city can consider for adoption.

Leisure Services Management and Human Nature prepared the study, with the assistance of public input.

Read the Park Study (PDF)