Park District Seeks Public Comment About Minard Park
Deerfield Township, OH — 10/08/26 — As part of its ongoing implementation of the 2025 Strategic Plan, Warren County Park District is evaluating how its existing properties align with its county-wide role and long-term priorities. That review includes studying the potential closure of Minard Park, a 5.87-acre park located at 3460 Fields Ertel Road in Deerfield Township, near the Hamilton County line. Click here for a park map.
Minard Park was acquired by the Park District in 1999 and includes one soccer field, a parking area, picnic shelter, drinking fountain, and playground. Much of the park’s infrastructure is more than 25 years old and would require significant investment to replace aging facilities and bring them up to current standards.
The Park District’s 2025 Strategic Plan calls for a county-wide approach focused on preserving regionally significant green space, complementing (rather than duplicating) services provided by municipal and township park systems, and making efficient use of public resources. It also calls for evaluating aging facilities and making deliberate choices about where continued maintenance, replacement, and investment are appropriate.
As the Park District works to put that direction into practice, it is taking a broader look at whether some of its smaller properties are well aligned with the role it intends to serve in the future. Land acquisition criteria adopted by the Board of Park Commissioners in 2018 establish 25 acres as the minimum desired size for Park District properties, reflecting an emphasis on regionally significant parks, natural areas, and trail connections.
“Our Strategic Plan gives us a clearer picture of the role the Park District should play across Warren County, and part of implementing that plan is taking a thoughtful look at the properties we already manage,” said Matt Latham, Executive Director. “Our responsibility is not simply to preserve the status quo, but to make sure our parks and investments are aligned with where the Park District can provide the greatest long-term value.”
The Park District has limited financial and staffing resources to maintain and improve parks throughout Warren County. Investments made in one property can limit what is possible elsewhere, making it necessary to carefully prioritize those resources.
No final decision has been made regarding the closure of Minard Park. Before determining how to proceed, the Board of Park Commissioners would like to hear from residents about how they currently use Minard Park. Interested community members are invited to comment using the Park District’s online comment form:
Comments will be accepted through November 11, 2026, and will be shared with the Board of Park Commissioners as it considers next steps.
About Warren County Park District: Warren County Park District is a county-wide park and green space provider, managing 1,716 acres across 12 parks and six conservation areas. The Park District’s mission is to enhance the community’s well-being by preserving quality natural spaces where all are invited to discover and experience the great outdoors.
