Owen and Harper Hodgett made use of the ice rink at Beckett Park in West Chester Thursday.
Owen and Harper Hodgett take advantage of the cold weather and became the first to ice skate at Beckett Park. Photo taken Jan. 24, 2013.
The man-made water feature has been allowed to freeze naturally for ice skating. This is the first time temperatures have permitted skating and it is uncertain how long the rink will remain open.
The water feature was part of $2.09 million upgrade of the park, which was finished in late June. The upgrade included a new shelter, a “natural” playground, a small pond that can used as an ice skating rink in the winter and a 1.25-mile trail that loops around two newly enlarged lakes.
The first development phase of Beckett Park, which was acquired by the Township through a land transfer with the National Park Service in 2000, was completed in 2005.
Approximately $2.8 million of TIF funding was used to complete that phase, which involved the building of the West Chester Baseball Complex.
The second phase, which was completed in 2008, included the re-locating of Muhlhauser Barn and the Christian Moerlein Gazebo. Both structures were donated to the Township. The rental payments for the barn, which is available to rent seasonally, exceeds the cost of its maintenance and upkeep, according to Barbara Wilson, public information officer for West Chester Township.
Beckett Park is 150 acres and straddles Beckett Road near the Union Centre Boulevard intersection.
There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Beckett Park opens its west side after $2 million upgrade
WestChesterBuzz.com will count down the area’s top 12 stories of 2012 this month, concluding with West Chester’s most discussed topic of the year on Sunday, Dec. 30.
The west side portion of Beckett Park officially reopened June 29 after a $2.09 million upgrade that included the construction of a new shelter, a “natural” playground, a small pond that can used as an ice skating rink in the winter and a 1.25-mile trail that loops around two newly enlarged lakes.
The project, which was part of phase III of the Beckett Park development, was funded through a $247,500 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and through $1.7 million of TIF funding.
In addition, a Boundless Playground that opened in early November of 2010 on the east side of the park was also part of the third phase and was funded with $135,000 worth of combined contributions from Procter & Gamble and CVS Caremark.
Prior to the completion of the playground, West Chester Township officials tentatively scheduled for the west side of the park to be open by the end of 2010. That target date was then adjusted to the spring of 2011 after the playground opened.
“In terms of the duration of the project it was an outdoor construction project, so there were weather issues and some contractor issues,” said Barbara Wilson, public information officer for West Chester Township.
“All those kind of things led up to the longer than anticipated construction time frame, but what the Township has always tried to do was make sure the tax payers were getting a quality recreational amenity and that was the end result.”
According to Wilson, the contractor issues and record rainfall totals during the spring of 2011 inhibited the third phase of the project from moving forward.
Construction of the third phase included the enlarging of the two lakes on the west side of the park, as well as the development of a paved/mowed trail that loops around the improved water space. (more…)
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
Speaker of the House John Boehner of West Chester became the 61st Speaker of the House Jan. 5, 2011. Photo taken by Michael E. Keating.
Enquirer poll: Should John Boehner keep his job?- House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester was on the hot seat last week from those worried that he will give in to President Barack Obama’s demands for higher tax rates in their negotiations to reduce the deficit.
Butler County ready to approve 2013 budget – After at least three years of slashing expenses, layoffs and stagnant pay, Butler County’s budget woes seem to be easing up, Sheila McLaughlin reported last week. Commissioners are expected to approve a 2013 general fund budget of just more than $79 million, about the same as 2012. They’ll vote Dec. 27.
On this birthday, a special number is the one-two know – John Johnston shared the story of Jack Greenlee of West Chester Township, who turned 12 on 12/12/12. Twelve-year-old birthday boys and girls everywhere have extra reason to whoop it up last week. After all, the calendar won’t show this kind of confluence of numbers again until Jan. 1, 2101, or 01/01/01.
West Chester parks to accept trees for recycling in Jan. – There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January, the Township announced last week. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park. Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Lakota East defeated school district rival, 77-73, Lakota West on Saturday, Dec. 15. Photo taken by Barb Trimble of TrimPhotoAndVideo.com. For more photos from this game, visit http://proofs.trimphotoandvideo.com/g/121512east_west
Lakota East edges Lakota West 77-73 in classic – Lakota East held off school district rival Lakota West, 77-73, Saturday night in a game that went down to the final seconds. The Thunderhawks, No. 3 in the latest Cincinnati Enquirer Division I coaches’ poll, led Lakota West, No. 2 in the same poll, by 10 points with 2:48 left in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds, however, closed the gap to one and trailed 74-73 with a minute remaining.
EnterTRAINment Junction extends hours – Due to popular demand, EnterTRAINment Junction extended its hours starting this past Saturday through Dec. 30. The West Chester model train destination will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Bill Balfour, who was the venue’s general manager before it opened in 2008, says more than 20,000 people will visit the EnterTRAINment’s free holiday train display and its Journey to the North Pole attraction before the new year.
Speaker John Boehner on the shooting in Newtown, Conn. – House Speaker John Boehner of West Chester ordered flags over the United States Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. He also issued a statement.
There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Trees will be chipped and mulch will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.
Beckett Park opens its west side after $2 million upgrade – The west side portion of Beckett Park officially reopened June 29 after a $2.09 million upgrade that included the construction of a new shelter, a “natural” playground, a small pond that can used as an ice skating rink in the winter and a 1.25-mile trail that loops around two newly enlarged lakes. Beckett Park is 150 acres and straddles Beckett Road near the Union Centre Boulevard intersection. WestChesterBuzz.com got its first look at the upgrade to the park last week.
Brad Lovell. Photo provided.
Lakota names four new principals- Lakota officials recently announced that the school district will be adding new principals to four different schools following approval by the board of education. New principals include Brad Lovell (Creekside Early Childhood), Christina French (Hopewell Elementary), Stacy Millburg (Lakota East Freshman – associate principal) and Jason Jackson (Lakota West Freshman – associate principal).
AK Steel to cut 2013 pension contribution – Bloomberg News reported last week that West Chester-based AK Steel Holding Corp., will cut its estimated 2013 pension expense by one-third, or $100 million, after passage of a transportation bill extension lowered some required contributions. The bill stabilizes the minimum annual contributions to fund defined-benefit pension plans, while raising premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., AK said.
Brennan Ryan. Photo provided.
Lakota West hires Brennan Ryan to lead wrestling program- The Lakota school district’s high school athletic department announced last Monday that it hired Brennan Ryan as its new head coach of the Lakota West wrestling program. Ryan, who has experience as a wrestling head coach at Roger Bacon and Madeira high schools, was hired to replace Tim Kessler.
Battelle for Kids honors 18 Lakota teachers – A total of 18 Lakota educators were recognized in late June for teaching excellence at the Ohio Educators Connect for Success Conference in Columbus, Lakota officials announced last Wednesday. Battelle for Kids honored the local educators as part of its “Celebrate Teaching” initiative that is used to find out what makes a teacher highly effective and how to best learn from their practices.
VOA Museum. Tony Jones/photo.
National VOA Museum gears up for tours – With the recent completion of some significant construction work, the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting announced that it will open for tours on the third Saturday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. starting July 21.
West Chester Library breaks checkout record – The West Chester location of the MidPointe Library System broke its previous record for checkouts in a month this past June. The local library announced last week that it had 136,512 items checked out last month, trumping its old record set in July of 2008 by more than 4,000 checkouts.
List: Reach Out Lakota back-to-school supply needs – Reach Out Lakota released its supply list for its annual Back to School program last Wednesday. Currently, only a small percent of the needed supplies have been donated for the more than 450 registered children in the Lakota school district.
Jay Bruce. Adam Kiefaber/photo.
Photos: Jay Bruce signing in West Chester – Less than a week from the Major League All-Star game, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce took time for an autograph session at the Sports Gallery in West Chester Sunday. Hundreds of fans packed the local sports memorabilia shop to get a glimpse and have their photo taken with the two-time MLB All-Star.
Photos: Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta in West Chester – Tony Jones of The Cincinnati Enquirer photographed one of West Chester Township’s largest outdoor events this past weekend. Additional photos from the community will be posted on WestChesterBuzz.com later this week.
The west side portion of Beckett Park officially reopened June 29 after a $2.09 million upgrade that included the construction of a new shelter, a “natural” playground, a small pond that can used as an ice skating rink in the winter and a 1.25-mile trail that loops around two newly enlarged lakes.
The project, which was part of phase III of the Beckett Park development, was funded through a $247,500 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and through $1.7 million of TIF funding.
In addition, a Boundless Playground that opened in early November of 2010 on the east side of the park was also part of the third phase and was funded with $135,000 worth of combined contributions from Procter & Gamble and CVS Caremark.
Prior to the completion of the playground, West Chester Township officials tentatively scheduled for the west side of the park to be open by the end of 2010. That target date was then adjusted to the spring of 2011 after the playground opened.
“In terms of the duration of the project it was an outdoor construction project, so there were weather issues and some contractor issues,” said Barbara Wilson, public information officer for West Chester Township.
“All those kind of things led up to the longer than anticipated construction time frame, but what the Township has always tried to do was make sure the tax payers were getting a quality recreational amenity and that was the end result.”
According to Wilson, the contractor issues and record rainfall totals during the spring of 2011 inhibited the third phase of the project from moving forward.
Construction of the third phase included the enlarging of the two lakes on the west side of the park, as well as the development of a paved/mowed trail that loops around the improved water space. (more…)
There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
There will be two areas in West Chester where the community can recycle their Christmas trees this January. Those recycling areas will be located at Keehner Park and Beckett Park.
Christmas trees will be accepted at both locations through the end of January.
Trees will be need to be cleared of all decorations and should not be wrapped in plastic. Artificial trees will not be accepted at the recycling locations.
Mulch from the trees, after chipping, will be used throughout the year in West Chester parks.
The drop-off area at Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, will be located near the tennis courts.
Beckett Park’s drop-off area will be located in the parking area just before the gate. Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road, is located off Union Centre Boulevard.
Both locations will have signs designating the correct drop-off spot.
The recycling collection is available until Jan. 31 and is only for live Christmas trees. Other yard debris will not be accepted.
Both parks are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
