Huber Heights plans next level parks and recreation changes
City planning new multi-use trail system, festivals and more.
Huber Heights has become recognized as a regional stop for entertainment and recreation within its variety of parks and amenities.
Whether it is a local youth sports game, family picnic, nature walks, regional sports tournament, local fair, internationally rated music performance or water park fun, Huber Heights has your recreational needs covered.
Over the past few years, the city has placed a high focus on park improvements to create more recreational opportunities and outings for its residents. Mainly as a result of the success of the Stuart and Mimi Rose Music Center, the city has been able to use the recreational profits to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into park and recreation improvements including shelters, grounds improvements, capital investments into park amenities, and new playground equipment such as Thomas Cloud Park’s certified National Demonstration Site for the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design.
All this and more without having a dedicated parks and recreation levy or additional taxes on the community.
The city plans to take its recreational and park activities to the next level starting in 2020 with a host of new and enhanced events and activities. To start, the city will renew its partnership with Kroger for naming rights and sponsorship of the Kroger Aquatic Center at The Heights going into the amenity’s ninth season of operation with some expanded events and activities.
In addition, the city was successful in obtaining a grant and partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for restoration and resurfacing of 12 tennis courts within Thomas Cloud Park. These improvements allow for expanded use of the facility to include a summer instructional tennis camp, association tournaments, a regional high school tournament and continued use by Carroll High School as their home courts.
Cultural, entertainment and recreational events are also at the next level for Huber Heights this coming season. The city will launch its first The Heights Summer Music Series, which will include a number of performances from May to September. The series will host around 10 performances from local and regional artists covering a number of genres.
The series is planned to partner with the Dayton Food Truck Association and will provide a few hours of enjoyable music and food in the park landscape of the Eichelberger Amphitheater. In addition to music, the city will host a number of community movies nights at the parks for a picnic style evening of fun.
The city will continue the tradition of the Marigold Festival in the fall and hopes to launch an annual multicultural festival to bring unity and cultural awareness to the community and region.
In addition to activities, Huber Heights is planning significant investment into more regional destination facilities within its parks. These plans include the Veterans Memorial, which will be located at Thomas Cloud Park. The memorial is designed to be a destination to provide recognition of the service by our veterans, reflection in memoriam of those who sacrificed for our freedom, and a walk-through educational experience to learn about the U.S. military and its wars and conflicts.
In addition, the city is planning for the installation of a multi-use trail system for hiking, biking and sport related events within a currently underused wooded and challenging terrain area. Finally, construction was completed on the new dog park, which will have its grand opening in the spring. The park features multiple exercise and play areas for dogs of all sizes including shade and a doggie spray ground.
The city recognizes enhancing recreation and things for residents to do strengthens the sense of community and heightens the quality of life. The 2020 parks season will continue to make Huber Heights a great place to live and play.