OPEN SPACES

Protecting land for flora, fauna, water quality and future generations

West Chester Township’s success in economic development during the past two decades has not been a secret. Private land owners and developers have made the most of their property and the community’s assets of location and access to invest in the long-term sustainability of our local economy.

What has received less attention is West Chester’s 20-year commitment to protecting valuable open space and floodplain for future generations.

“Properties acquired by West Chester Township through the Clean Ohio program don’t have soccer fields and playgrounds, but they are increasingly valuable in the protection and sustainability of our natural environment and offer passive recreational opportunities for the community,” said Township Administrator Larry Burks.

West Chester’s work on property identified two decades ago as the Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor continues to evolve and has ultimately led to a string of protected areas through the community that will continue to grow as opportunities become available.

For West Chester, the Corridor begins at its western edge off Thunderbird Lane. An approximately 30-acre property once known as Morris Farm sits between the Mill Creek and the towpath of the former Miami-Erie Canal. The property is a wetland habitat for a wide range of bird species, turtles, plants and more. A nearly-endangered Tiger Salamander was identified on the property in 2003 and naturalists visiting the property continue to find new varieties of flora and fauna that are supported by this natural wetland environment.

A multi-purpose trail, accessible from Thunderbird Lane travels 1.5 miles to the east through West Chester along the canal towpath and passes features such as the foundation of an early ice house. MetroParks of Butler County has continued to work connecting the path heading west with planned connection to Gilmore Ponds.

The latest project in the Conservation Corridor has been undertaken by the Nature Conservancy of Ohio on property owned by West Chester just off Rialto Road, known as the Rialto Marsh. The stream/wetland mitigation project will ultimately result in an environmentally sound passive area for guests to enjoy bird watching, walking and meditation, all while protecting the habitat and the stream. Accounting for about 20 acres in the busy commercial area of West Chester Township, this property will be preserved in perpetuity for conservation purposes.

Work at the Rialto Marsh is expected to be ongoing this spring/ summer.

Learn more about West Chester Township’s efforts to protect and conserve natural spaces at www.westchesteroh.org.

Making Strides in Walkability

West Chester’s National Citizen Survey results revealed our community’s interest in quality infrastructure including multi-purpose trails. So, the 2021-2022 Strategic Plan encouraged leaders to identify where the Township could have greatest impact in creating connections.

Opportunities were identified in areas where private/public partnerships could create extensions of existing paths fueling discussions with developers and other partners that could ultimately lead to greater connectivity.

Making West Chester more walkable in a balanced and financially responsible way has been the emphasis as projects are identified.

Trustees recently approved contracts to extend an existing path on Smith Road from Beckett Road to just west of State Route 747. The project will be under way this summer and will be partially funded with an OKI grant and the balance funded with Tax Increment Financing Funds.

West Chester Township will also use TIF to fund a creekside path that will connect Union Centre Boulevard to West Chester Road. This is part of a larger commercial development.

The Board of Trustees will also partner on a grant application made by MetroParks of Butler County to develop a trail along the north side of Tylersville connecting the Butler Warren intersection to the VOA Retail Centre.

Piece by piece, West Chester continues to make strides in improving walkability.