News & Alerts

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Butler County Commissioners Honored as Great Miami Riverway Corridor Champions

Apr 14, 2023, 19:38 PM by Katie Ely

 

The Butler County Commissioners and Butler County Administrator Judi Boyko were honored as the Great Miami Riverway Corridor Champions of the Year on April 14. Great Miami Riverway Director Dan Foley and MetroParks' Executive Director Jackie O'Connell presented Commission President T.C. Rogers with the award at the Great Miami Riverway Summit in Sidney.


In 2022, the Butler County Commissioners allocated $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to MetroParks to help connect the cities of Middletown and Hamilton via the Great Miami River Trail (GMRT). Butler County is home to the only remaining GMRT gaps between Fairfield and Piqua. Once the remaining gaps are complete, the trail will stretch nearly 90 contiguous miles and will fuel community connectivity and economic growth regionally.

Ms. O'Connell said at the summit "The (Commissioners) financial support and commitment to the trail is important for several reasons. The economic value of connecting the two communities in their downtown cores will lead to additional development in both cities-including more housing, restaurants and retail." She added "Additionally, the more miles of connected paved trails we add, the stronger it makes our entire region. Every mile of trail makes previous trail investments more valuable." A study by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission estimated that the GMRT has a $13 million annual economic impact to the region. 

For more information about MetroParks' ARPA award and additional GMRT projects, click here.

Thank you to the Butler County Commissioners and all MetroParks' trail advocates for their help with this important project.

  • Voice of America MetroPark Closures: 8/2-8/3

    Jul 25, 2025, 20:00 PM

    The USA Triathlon Youth and Jr. Championships will be hosted at Voice of America MetroPark 8/1-8/3/25. Park facilities will be closed on 8/2-8/3. Visit our News page for more information.

  • Bilstein Blvd. lot closed for construction

    Jun 11, 2025, 10:00 AM

    The Bilstein Blvd. parking lot of Gilmore Ponds MetroPark is currently closed to facilitate nearby construction.

  • Elk Creek Rd. Closure

    Jun 4, 2025, 15:12 PM

    Please be advised that due to road construction on Elk Creek Rd., Sebald MetroParks is only accessible via northbound Elk Creek Rd.

  • Mill Race Preserve MetroPark Closure

    May 27, 2025, 09:29 AM

    Beginning May 27th, restoration work on the Black Covered Bridge will close the entrance to Mill Race Preserve MetroPark. The park can be accessed via the Oxford Area Trail System to the east.

  • Sebald MetroPark Closures

    May 12, 2025, 09:52 AM

    From May 12th to July 31st, the Highlands and Dry Run Trails will be closed and portions of the Foothills and Ridge Trails will be closed at Sebald MetroPark to facilitate construction of the Sebald Connector Road.

  • Voice of America MetroPark Cross Country Trail Closures

    Nov 12, 2024, 11:08 AM

    Portions of the Voice of America MetroPark Cross Country Trails will be closed for trail rerouting work. Trail closures will be marked with signs and barricades.