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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > February > 15 > Entry
Park permits are now fee-free
While MetroParks of Butler County still require a permit to access the parks system, they are free for county residents.
Last week the parks district announced the fee-free park permits for county residents are now available. The fee-free permits are because of the passage of the November levy.
Until March 31, county residents will be permitted to access the parks by simply showing proof of residency — valid driver’s license, state ID or vehicle registration — without a permit. After April 1, all cars will be required to display the annual resident permit, or current vehicle permit.
There are a number of locations for residents 16 and older to obtain a permit:
In Hamilton: MetroPark Administrative Headquarters, 2051 Timberman Road. Call (513) 867-5835. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In Oxford (after Feb. 21): Oxford Parks and Recreation office, 6025 Fairfield Rd. Call (513) 523-6314. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
West Chester Twp. area: Butler County Visitor’s Bureau, 8750 Union Centre Blvd. Call (513) 860-4193. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Liberty Twp. area: Bait Shop at Voice of America Park (after March 12), 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Twp. Call (513) 755-4402. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week, weather permitting.
Fairfield area: Fairfield Community Arts, 411 Wessel Drive. Call (513) 867-5348. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Okeana/Morgan Twp. area: Morgan Twp. Administration Hall (After Feb. 21), 3141 Chapel Rd., Okeana. Call (513) 738-3600. Call Charlotte Lahmann to make an appointment to pick up.
Any entrance booth when staffed at Sebald, Voice of America and Rentschler Forest parks.
If county residents purchased a 2011 permit, they’ll be able to get a refund in “MetroBucks.” Feb. 28 is the last day to file paperwork, however.
“Our goal was to be user-friendly so that no one would have to drive more than 15 minutes to get their free resident permit,” said MetroParks’ spokeswoman Susan Stretch. “We have been working to develop a program that would make it easy for everyone to get out and enjoy their parks.”
Non-residents will still be required to purchase a permit at $10 for an annual hangtag or $5 for a daily permit.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, MetroParks
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By nullgerm
February 15, 2011 9:48 PM | Link to this
What are we in Middletown? No place to get a permit. Same ole, same ole sh**.
By MetroParks
February 16, 2011 9:34 AM | Link to this
There are 2 locations in Middletown that will be distributing fee-free Resident permits… after 2/21 (possibly sooner!) pick your resident permit up at the Middletown Library location at the Middletown and Trenton locations! Also, with the weather getting warmer, look for a MetroParks’ staff member at the Sebald Park booth also located in Middletown! Check MetroParks’ website at www.metroparksofbutlercounty.org for a complete listing of locations and other important permit information. Hope to see everyone enjoying the parks soon!
By null
February 16, 2011 2:25 PM | Link to this
What about Monroe?
By Hamiltonian
February 16, 2011 2:32 PM | Link to this
@ nullgerm: You need to understand that the Journal News reporter’s within the Dayton Daily News have no desire to report anything positive about Middletown or Hamilton. Only negativity from afar.
By Bill
February 17, 2011 8:15 AM | Link to this
So everyone now gets to pay for the parks so those that actually use them can use them without a minor fee that they paid in the past? Is this right?
By Hamiltonian
February 17, 2011 3:55 PM | Link to this
@Bill: Yes & No. If you are a butler county resident you get free use. If you are not a county resident you pay to use.
By Jon Bell
February 18, 2011 7:36 AM | Link to this
@Hamiltonian: It is not free for anyone. If you live in Butler county you are required to pay via your property taxes. “It will cost homeowners $15 a year for every $100,000 of home value, while generating $3.8 million a year for MetroParks” So if you own a home worth 100k you will actually be paying MORE than a non-resident. Isn’t math fun?