Preserve dedication

MetroParks of Butler County will hold the dedication of the Angst Nature Preserve MetroPark, the 12th park in the county-wide system. The new 84-acre Angst Nature Preserve MetroPark, located on Trenton-Oxford Road, will be the first MetroPark established in the township. The Angst Nature Preserve MetroPark was acquired by MetroParks from Three Valley Conservation Trust through a $363,900 Clean Ohio Fund Green Space Conservation grant.

Three Valley Conservation Trust secured the property in bequest from Helen Angst, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 93. Helen lived on the property her entire life, and envisioned that the land be used for public enjoyment as a nature preserve in perpetuity. After the property was transferred to MetroParks, funds were set aside to help improve and operate the land for public use through the Middletown Community Foundation.

Future planned improvements to the Angst Nature Preserve MetroPark include nature trails, a playground, restroom facilities, and the conversion of a bank barn on the property into a shelter. Improvements will be made as funds become available. Immediately, the park offers a one-mile hiking trail which traverses woods, small streams, and farm fields. The farm fields will be restored to natural meadows in the future. A trail map is available on the MetroParks website.

Unless otherwise announced, the property will be open to the public daily from 8 a.m. until dark. A MetroParks Motor Vehicle Permit (MVP) is required for all park visitors, and are available to residents of Butler County for free.

A dedication event for the Angst Nature Preserve MetroPark will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the new park. This dedication event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.YourMetroParks.net or call 513-8675835.

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