City seeks to improve Stubbs Park trails, amphitheater amenities
Centerville applying for $150K from state agency to help pay for upgrades.
The city wants to improve amenities at its largest park by expanding trails, trailhead facilities and areas near its amphitheater.
Centerville wants state funds to help pay for the upgrades at Stubbs Park and is applying for up to $150,000 from the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources.
The proposal at the 60-acre site on West Spring Valley Road would include paving and widening gravel paths, making them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the city.
“These trail improvements will improve the quality of life for Centerville residents by making trails more accessible to users of all abilities, creating a more accessible and higher quality restroom facility and by increasing and simplifying parking,” at the park, Assistant City Planner Joey O’Brien said in a statement.
Changes proposed include: ■ Constructing about 3,600 feet of paved trails to replace the gravel footpaths.
■ Redeveloping the existing trailhead/amphitheater restroom facility.
■ Redesigning the trailhead/ amphitheater parking lot.
■ Installing wayfinding signage throughout the park.
Centerville City Council approved the state application on Monday night and officials are seeking public input on the proposed upgrades.
The paved trails would be 8-feet wide, matching the widest dimension of some current ones, Centerville Communications Director Kate Bostdorff said in an email.
Some trails are 4-feet wide and most are under 7 feet, she said.
Public comments on the proposed improvements can be made through March 16 by contacting O’Brien at Jobrien@centervilleohio. gov, 937-428-4762 or at 100 W. Spring Valley Road, Centerville, OH 45458.
The upgrades are part of the Stubbs Park master plan created in 2019, according to O’Brien.
The city announced in December it had been awarded $800,000 in state capital funds for park improvements related to the master plan. That money will help fund upgrades to The Stubbs amphitheater, which draws thousands of people to summertime concerts and performances.
The funds announced last year may also be used for renovations to the band
shell, the creation of structured terrace seating and expanded ADA areas to allow greater accessibility for visitors, according to the city.
The park features a variety of amenities, including playground equipment, walking trails, a disc golf course, an
inline skating rink and a veterans memorial that hosts events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, according to the city’s website.