Opinion: Great Parks levy is good for our community
The past year has been difficult for our corner of Ohio, and our nation as a whole. Too many people have struggled economically and emotionally. However, it’s in moments like this, moments of trial, that we realize who’s really there for us. For us, and for so many others, Great Parks of Hamilton County stepped up in a big way to provide a place to escape to and cope with the tough times we have all experienced.
Many of us likely take our Great Parks for granted. That’s something we need to change. Over the past few years, we’ve had the chance to work closely with the leadership at Great Parks, and we have learned a lot.
Great Parks is a leader in conservation right here in our community. Maintaining over 17,700 acres of protected greenspace and 78 miles of trails is critical to the environmental health and mental wellness of our county. It’s a great responsibility to do the necessary work to preserve all this for our kids and grandkids.
Great Parks are excellent stewards of taxpayer dollars. Many people don’t know, but three different funding sources support Great Parks. They receive funding from philanthropy, including private donors, sponsors and grants; earned revenue, including camping, fishing/boating, golf and events; and property taxes from Hamilton County homeowners. Over the past decade, Great Parks has continuously been recognized by the Ohio Auditor for being fiscally responsible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Not only do they provide a valuable service to our community by giving us access to beautiful parks and conserving greenspace, but they do so in a way where our tax dollars aren’t wasted. In fact, over the past three levy cycles dating back 33 years, Great Parks has operated the park district utilizing the same 1 mill levy amount. However, sustaining this amount has been difficult as your preserved park land continues to grow and the demand for regional trails and other amenities increases.
Through all this, Great Parks also cares deeply about public input. In the past year alone, they have engaged in a process of collecting thousands of comments and opinions from residents of Hamilton County to determine what they want out of their Great Parks. Ultimately, these are our parks and it’s up to us to provide the support they need to remain great.
Great Parks is a critical Hamilton County asset. As state legislators, we will continue to do what we can to support our Great Parks. They’ve been there for us when we’ve needed them most, and it’s time for us to be there for them. We encourage you to learn more about Great Parks, visit your local park and provide input on what you want Great Parks to look like in the future!
The upcoming Great Parks levy will ensure these local spaces are here for all people and families to enjoy for years to come. We personally will be supporting the upcoming Great Parks levy and encourage you to do the same.
The column is cosigned by several members of Ohio's legislative delegation, including: State Rep. Brigid Kelly; State Rep. Cindy Abrams; State Rep. Sedrick Denson; State Rep. Catherine D. Ingram; State Rep. Jessica E. Miranda; State Rep. Bill Seitz; State Sen. Louis W. Blessing III; State Sen. Cecil Thomas; and State Sen. Steve Wilson