Spring House Park

Funding for Phase One Development

The City of Beavercreek has been awarded a $1 million grant from Ohio’s House Bill 2 One-time Strategic Community Investment Program to kickstart the development of Spring House Park. This funding will cover the design and construction of the ADA-accessible playground, entrance drive, and paved parking lot. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025. The grant fully covers the costs of the parking lot and playground, meaning no funds from the city’s general fund or park levy will be used for this development project. 

Looking Ahead – Phase One Development

The full phase one development plan includes additional playground equipment, a splash pad, an outdoor fitness area, shelters, restrooms, and expanded paved parking. The total estimated cost for phase one is $4.3 million. While the city has secured a $1 million grant, additional funding is still needed.

The parks division is actively applying for grants and exploring alternative funding opportunities, prioritizing projects with minimal operational costs. The $1 million grant is a significant milestone toward creating a family-friendly, accessible park for the Beavercreek community to enjoy for years to come.

Spring House Park Master Plan

Spring House Park is a 148-acre park designed to provide a variety of recreational opportunities, many that are not available at the city’s other two community parks (Rotary Park and Dominick Lofino Park). The master plan (pictured at the bottom of this webpage) includes natural areas, unpaved and paved hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a splash pad, a dog park, disc golf, pickleball courts, multi-sport fields, basketball courts, an outdoor fitness area, an archery range, an overlook shelter with a fire pit, an event space, a fishing dock at the retention pond, and restrooms. Additionally, the park will connect and expand the city's recreational trails and include a spring house shelter, which ties into the park’s namesake.

Community Input and Survey Results

Public input has played a vital role in shaping the park’s 10-year master plan. In 2019, as part of this planning process, several citywide surveys, open houses, and focus groups revealed a strong desire for a large community park. After the land for this new park was acquired, additional community feedback was gathered to inform the development of the Spring House Park master plan.

In 2023, two open houses and an online survey collected input from more than 2,100 residents. The survey results indicated that the most requested amenities included natural areas, unpaved hiking trails, an all-access playground, picnic shelters, a splash pad, paved trails, a dog park, disc golf, an outdoor stage, and sports fields.

Funding Challenges and Opportunities

The total estimated cost to fully develop Spring House Park is $36 million, with $17 million allocated for infrastructure. However, full funding has not yet been secured. In November 2023, a 1.93-mill parks levy that would have fully funded the park was proposed but was not approved by residents.

The city originally purchased the 148-acre property in 2022 after securing a $738,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which required a dollar-for-dollar match covered by local park fees. These funds, however, are restricted to parkland acquisition and cannot be used for development or maintenance.

The city’s existing 1.2-mill parks levy, which was passed in 2019, does not provide sufficient funding for both the development and long-term maintenance of Spring House Park once it is fully developed. Parks staff are actively working to ensure that the upcoming grant-funded development includes amenities designed to minimize operational costs and staffing requirements, while maximizing benefits to the community.

Commitment to Parks and Recreation

The City of Beavercreek remains dedicated to expanding and maintaining its parks and recreational spaces. Since 2015, the parks division has secured more than $6.1 million in grants, funding key projects and improvements. However, grant funding presents challenges as most grants focus on new projects, not maintenance of existing parks, and many grants cannot be used for ongoing operational costs. Despite these obstacles, the city continues to seek funding solutions to enhance and sustain its parks.

Why "Spring House Park"?

The name Spring House Park was chosen to honor a natural spring and historic spring house located on the property. In fall 2022, the city invited the community to submit park name suggestions, receiving nearly 250 submissions. The city’s park board narrowed the options to three finalists: Shakertown Park, Deerfield Park, and Spring House Park. Beavercreek City Council ultimately selected Spring House Park, recognizing its historical and natural significance.

Grange Hall Road Sidepath Project

The Grange Hall Road Sidepath project will add a new sidepath/multiuse trail along the west side of Grange Hall Road, connecting Dominick Lofino Park to Research Boulevard. The project is divided into three main segments: from Dominick Lofino Park to Shakertown Road, through Spring House Park between Shakertown Road and Patterson Road, and from Patterson Road to Research Boulevard. It also includes the installation of curbs and ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections.

Segment 1: Dominick Lofino Park to Shakertown Road

This approximately 1,500-foot-long section will feature a new 8-foot-wide sidewalk along the west side of Grange Hall Road. Crosswalks will be restriped as needed, and rapid flashing beacons will be installed to enhance pedestrian safety at the Dominick Lofino Park crossing.

Segment 2: Spring House Park (Shakertown Road to Patterson Road)

A paved multiuse path—approximately 1.1 miles in length—will be constructed along the east side of Spring House Park, consistent with the park’s master plan. This segment will also include a spur sidewalk with a crossing to Rockfield Drive, enhanced with a rapid flashing beacon for increased safety.

Segment 3: Patterson Road to Research Boulevard

This approximately 1,350-foot-long section will include a new 8-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of the roadway. The existing bridge over Little Beaver Creek will be widened to accommodate the sidewalk.

Funding and Schedule 

The project is funded by a federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant, covering 80 percent of costs, with a 20 percent local match. The current total project estimate is $1,628,000. The project is in the design phase, with preliminary plans expected to be completed in May. Following this, the City will host a public involvement open house to gather input on the proposed layout. This meeting is anticipated to take place in 2025; the date and time will be announced through letters to adjacent property owners and public media outlets, including the City’s website and social media platforms. Right-of-way acquisition is scheduled for 2025, with construction planned to begin in 2026.