MetroParks Honored with First Place Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Award for Marketing Innovation

Nov 18, 2025, 16:30 PM by Katie Ely-Wood

Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence winners, and a number of local agencies have been recognized.

Locally, MetroParks of Butler County won a 1^st place award in the Marketing Innovation category for the MetroParks and Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board (MHARS) Suicide Prevention Campaign project. This inter-agency collaboration highlights MetroParks’ commitment to ensuring that parks are safe, welcoming and supportive spaces for all. The Suicide Prevention Sign Campaign is a vital public health initiative that uses the power of place to reach people when they may need it most. Receiving a 1^st place OPRA award for this effort, the first in agency history, highlights the significance of this work and the impact it has already had across Butler County.

“MetroParks is honored to be recognized for this important project,” said Executive Director Jackie O’Connell. “Our partnership with MHARS demonstrates how parks can play a meaningful role in promoting mental health and offering hope. We are grateful for this acknowledgement and remain committed to serving our community with compassion, innovation, and purpose.”

The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 3, 2026 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first-place award winner will be presented with the 2025 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in-show” award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the agency winner.

“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”

The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.

Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 2,600 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio's natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.

December 2025 Park Closures

Dec 2, 2025, 08:57 AM

Sycamore Bluffs MetroPark and the Great Miami River Trail trailheads are currently closed due to snow.
MetroParks Cashless Beginning 1/1/26

Nov 26, 2025, 10:44 AM

MetroParks is keeping it cashless beginning 1/1/26. Credit and debit cards are welcome at MetroParks' Administrative Office and Voice of America MetroPark Welcome Center. Cash will still be accepted for on-site program registration.
2025-2026 Seasonal Park Closures

Nov 10, 2025, 10:34 AM

The following parks and facilities will be closed for the 2025-2026 winter season: -Pioneer Church -Flush restrooms at Rentschler Forest and Meadow Ridge MetroParks -Sebald MetroPark Equestrian Trails (November 15-April 14)
Salamander Run MetroPark Trail Closures

Sep 24, 2025, 15:16 PM

A portion of the Redback Salamander Trail is closed 9/25/25-2/3/26 to facilitate controlled bowhunting. Visit https://www.yourmetroparks.net/news-alerts/article/2025/09/24/salamander-run-metropark-trail-closures for a trail map.
Tylersville Trail Closures 9/2-11/26

Aug 29, 2025, 15:18 PM

Voice of America MetroParks' Tylersville Trail will be closed west of Field 20 to Crosley Boulevard September 2nd - November 26th to facilitate USS Cincinnati construction.
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

The Ridge Trail at Sebald MetroParks is closed due to trail rerouting work.
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.

Metropark Alerts

December 2025 Park Closures

Sycamore Bluffs MetroPark and the Great Miami River Trail trailheads are currently closed due to snow.

MetroParks Cashless Beginning 1/1/26

MetroParks is keeping it cashless beginning 1/1/26. Credit and debit cards are welcome at MetroParks' Administrative Office and Voice of America MetroPark Welcome Center. Cash will still be accepted for on-site program registration.

2025-2026 Seasonal Park Closures

The following parks and facilities will be closed for the 2025-2026 winter season: -Pioneer Church -Flush restrooms at Rentschler Forest and Meadow Ridge MetroParks -Sebald MetroPark Equestrian Trails (November 15-April 14)

Salamander Run MetroPark Trail Closures

A portion of the Redback Salamander Trail is closed 9/25/25-2/3/26 to facilitate controlled bowhunting. Visit https://www.yourmetroparks.net/news-alerts/article/2025/09/24/salamander-run-metropark-trail-closures for a trail map.

Tylersville Trail Closures 9/2-11/26

Voice of America MetroParks' Tylersville Trail will be closed west of Field 20 to Crosley Boulevard September 2nd - November 26th to facilitate USS Cincinnati construction.

Mill Race Preserve MetroPark Closure

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

The Ridge Trail at Sebald MetroParks is closed due to trail rerouting work.

Voice of America MetroPark Cross Country Trail Closures

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.

News & Alerts