West Chester Township maintains more than 400 acres of recreational space catering to active and passive park enthusiasts and, also benefits from the services of MetroParks of Butler County maintaining the 430-acre VOA Park. Ohio Revised Code says that any township in Ohio MAY have parks, but it is not required. We are fortunate in West Chester to have over 800 acres of parks that adds to our quality of life, making us one of the best places to live in America.
Parks in the community are also sites of programming for all ages including concerts, festivals and classes for young people.
Beckett Park located at 8682 and 8630 Beckett Road, West Chester, OH 45069
Beckett Park is a 150-acre property in the Union Centre area, Beckett Park is situated both to the east and west of Beckett Road at the foot of Beckett Ridge and to the west of Union Centre Blvd with the West Chester Baseball Complex.
Amenities include:
• Boundless playground: a pioneer-themed playground that is accessible to children of all abilities with a nearby shelter and restroom facility.
• Two fishing ponds: located on the west side of Beckett Road, these ponds are stocked naturally and are open to free, catch-and-release fishing.
• Natural playground: a small area utilizing natural features of the terrain for children to climb and play on the west side of Beckett park.
• Ice Rink: the concrete water basin that provides a tranquil setting in warm weather is designed to freeze naturally for use as an ice rink in the winter months. The rink relies on outdoor temperature for freezing and skating is “at your own risk”.
• West Chester Baseball Complex: The West Chester Baseball Complex features four tournament quality fields that attract some of the finest youth baseball players. Tournaments offer residents an opportunity to enjoy exceptional youth baseball and the general public is encouraged to stop in and cheer on the teams.
• Muhlhauser Barn: A restored 1881 timber-frame barn is located in Beckett Park and is available to rent April 1-Nov. 15 each year. The barn features traditional beam construction and was once part of the Muhlhauser family farm. The Muhlhauser Barn is a beautiful facility for weddings, reunions and other celebrations. The barn was once a part of the Muhlhauser-Windish Brewing Company. It previously stood on the grounds of Ohio Casualty in Fairfield and was re-constructed and restored at Beckett Park in the Township thanks to the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty and the Muhlhauser Family.
The barn is available to rent through West Chester Township April-early November each year. The barn does not have air conditioning or heat and temperatures cannot be controlled.
Keehner Park located at 7211 and 7411 Barret Road, West Chester, OH 45069
Keehner Park is a 123-acre property nestled along the east fork of the Mill Creek, offering active and passive recreational opportunities including:
• Creekside, wooded trails
• Two playgrounds
• NEW! Pickleball courts
• Tennis courts
• Basketball courts
• Picnic shelters available for rent
• The Cabin in the Clearing: an 1800’s log cabin open for special events
• Amphitheatre: Home to the Keehner Park Concert Series on select summer Saturdays, plus Labor Day. The 2020 Concert Schedule is every Saturday in the summer starting June 6 through August 29 except for July4 and August 8. All bands have yet to be determined. Be sure to mark your calendars for June 27 for the annual ICE CREAM SOCIAL! West Chester Symphony Orchestra will be playing after the social
• West Chester Township permit is required for use of fire circles and fireplace.
Square @ Union Centre located at 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester, OH 45069
The Square @ Union Centre is a fun, high-energy gathering space. Located in the heart of West Chester’s downtown, The Square features the First Financial Bank clock tower, is home to the The Takeover concert series presented by First Financial Bank and the West Chester Farmers’ Market.
During the summer, the weekend starts on Thursday in West Chester, Ohio! Party local at The Takeover.
The Takeover is an admission-free, outdoor summer concert series hosted on The Square @ Union Centre. Free concerts are 6 to 9 p.m. at the clock tower in West Chester every Thursday in June, July and August.
Each night offers free live music, craft beer from local brewers DogBerry and Grainworks, and dinner options from some of the area’s tastiest food trucks.
Please don’t bring alcohol to the park. Beer sales at the event benefit the event & alcohol brought into the park is in violation of the State of Ohio Liquor Permit.
Also, at the Square, every Saturday in the summer starting in May, visit the Farmers Market from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Guaranteed local, guaranteed fresh!
Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor Port Union Historic Canal Trail located off Firebird Drive, West Chester, OH 45069
A passive wetland park following the Mill Creek and the former Miami Erie Canal, the Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor is made possible by the Clean Ohio Fund with support from many agencies and corporate partners. The Corridor protects the Mill Creek’s floodplain, enhances water condition and reduces flooding concerns.
Amenities: The Corridor offers an excellent location for bird-watching, nature exploration, and quiet reflection. A paved 3-mile Port Union Canal Trail passes the ruins of a canal aqueduct, waste weir and the foundation of an ice-house and ice ponds, along with a variety of flora and fauna.
Voice of America Park and Ronald Reagan Lodge located at 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester, OH 45069, (513) 867-5835 or 1-877-PARKFUN, YourMetroParks.net
Originally part of the historic Voice of America Bethany Relay Station, this 430-acre park was conveyed to the community through the Federal Lands to Parks program and is operated by MetroParks of Butler County. The park is open 8am to dark every day, and admission is free to Butler County residents! The VOA Museum, with access off Tylersville Rd, is maintained by West Chester Township and is open Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Amenities: Stocked 55-acre lake circled by a 1.4 mile paved multi-purpose path; Wiggly Field dog park; hiking trails; row and pedal boat rental and personal kayak launching; The Ronald Reagan Lodge and Boathouse; Soccer fields and the UC Health Fieldhouse.
