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MetroParks motor vehicle permit hang tags will again be available free to all Butler County residents beginning Dec. 15. MetroParks began giving free permits to county residents after narrowly passing a levy in November of 2010.

According to a release from the park system, MetroParks of Butler County will be issuing hang tags that are valid for two years versus the current one-year tag due to suggestions from park customers for increased convenience.

New hang tags will be valid for the 2013 and 2014 calendar years.

Current 2012 hang tags will be honored at all MetroParks through Jan. 31.

This policy change was approved by the Board of Park Commissioners during their regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Oct. 17.

To obtain a free hang tag, residents must provide proof of residency and fill out a form, available on MetroParks website, www.YourMetroParks.net, under “Get a Vehicle Permit” or at all permit distribution locations.

A valid driver’s license, state ID, vehicle registration or license plate will be accepted as proof of residency. One permit is permitted per Butler County resident.

Butler County resident hang tags are available at the following locations:

MetroPark Administrative Offices
2051 Timberman Road
Hamilton, OH 45013
513.867.5835
Hours: 9am-4pm (M-F)

Butler County Visitor’s Bureau
8756 Union Centre Boulevard
West Chester, OH 45069
513.860.4194
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm (M-F) Hours vary

Fairfield Community Arts Center
411 Wessel Drive
Fairfield, OH 45014
513.867.5348
Hours: 8am-8pm (M-F) and 9am-1pm (Sat)

Beginning Dec. 15: Entrance booths at Sebald Park, Voice of America MetroPark and Rentschler Forest MetroPark (Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

After March 2013: The Baitshop at Voice of America MetroPark

Non-Residents can still access all parks and support MetroParks by purchasing an annual permit for $10 or $5 for a daily permit.

Hang tags for non-residents can be purchased online or at MetroParks Administrative Headquarters, Voice of America MetroPark Baitshop, as well as Sebald Park, Voice of America MetroPark or Rentschler Forest MetroPark park entrance locations when staffed.

Last year, Butler Count residents, who received an annual hang tag in 2011, were asked to hold on to their tags for the new year. Upon completion of a form and proof of residency, they received an orange sticker to be placed on top of the old permit to update their tag.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: MetroParks, MetroParks 2011 permits, MetroParks 2012 permits, MetroParks of Butler County, MetroParks permits, permits

Residents of Butler County will again be able to bring motor vehicles into MetroParks at no charge for 2012. MetroParks began giving free permits to county residents after narrowly passing a levy in November of 2010.

Butler Count residents, who received an annual hang tag in 2011, are being asked to hold on to their tags for the new year. Upon completion of a brief form and proof of residency, they will receive an orange sticker to be placed on top of the old permit to update their tag.

If residents have misplaced their old hang tags or did not receive one in the previous year, they can still fill out a brief form and provide proof of residency to receive a tag at no charge for 2012.

Currently, stickers or tags for 2012 are available at the MetroParks administrative offices in Ross Township just outside of Hamilton on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the Voice of America baitshop, which is open daily.

Permits can also be obtained at any park booth when staffed at Voice of America MetroPark, Sebald Park and Rentschler Forest MetroPark.

Partner distribution locations will include:

• Butler County Visitors Bureau in West Chester
• Middletown Libraries in West Chester and Trenton
• Morgan Township administrative offices
• The Fairfield Arts Center
• The Lane Public Libraries in Oxford, Hamilton and Fairfield

Hours for these locations vary so please consult the location for their normal business hours.

Non-residents can also still support MetroParks by purchasing motor vehicle permits at the same prices as last year-$10/annual or $5/daily permit. More information can be found on the website at www.YourMetroParks.net or by calling 513-867-5835.

Hamilton and Butler partnership - Residents of Butler County are now be able to purchase an annual motor vehicle permit for the Hamilton County Park District at select MetroPark locations thanks to a recently formed partnership between the two park systems. The $10 permits for HCPD can now be purchased at the administrative offices just west of Hamilton or at the Voice of America MetroPark baitshop in West Chester during normal business hours. Meanwhile, Hamilton County residents are also able to purchase annual permits for MetroParks of Butler County for $10 at its Winton Woods office and at the Sharon Woods Visitor Center.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: MetroParks, MetroParks 2011 permits, MetroParks 2012 permits, MetroParks of Butler County, MetroParks permits, permits

After narrowly passing a levy in Nov. 2010, MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners kept their promise and didn’t charge Butler County residents vehicle permit fees in 2011.

Again, in 2012, county residents will be able to bring motor vehicles into MetroParks at no charge.

Residents, who received an annual hangtag in 2011, are being asked to hold on to their tags for the 2012. Upon completion of a brief form and proof of residency, those residents will receive an orange sticker to be placed on top of the old permit to update their tag.

If residents have misplaced their old hang tags or did not receive one in the previous year, they can still fill out a brief form and provide proof of residency to receive a tag at no charge for 2012.

“By re-using as many tags as possible from last year, we are able to reduce expenses,” said Board President Cynamon Trokhan.

“We were pleased to see that so many residents took advantage of the fee-free tags and spent time in their parks last year. We hope that even more people will attend the special events, educational programming and recreational opportunities offered at the parks during the upcoming year.”

Currently, stickers or tags for 2012 are available at the Administrative Offices in Ross Township just outside of Hamilton on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Permits can also be obtained at any park booth when staffed at Voice of America MetroPark, Sebald Park and Rentschler Forest MetroPark.

After Jan. 1, residents will also be able to get their stickers or hangtags at convenient locations throughout the county. Partner distribution locations will include:

• Butler County Visitors Bureau in West Chester
• Middletown Libraries in West Chester and Trenton
• Morgan Township Administrative Offices
• The Fairfield Arts Center
• The Lane Public Libraries in Oxford, Hamilton and Fairfield

Hours for these locations vary so please consult the location for their normal business hours.

Non-county residents can also still support MetroParks by purchasing motor vehicle permits at the same prices as last year – $10 annual or $5 daily permit. More information can be found at www.YourMetroParks.net or by calling 513-867-5835.

Posted in: News |

Tags: Tags: MetroParks, MetroParks 2011 permits, MetroParks 2012 permits, MetroParks of Butler County, MetroParks permits, permits

According to MetroParks of Butler County, there is some confusion among county residents regarding the free resident motor vehicle permits. MetroParks would like to remind those residents that there is no deadline to obtain their free permit.

Currently, Butler County residents can show proof of residency by either showing a valid driver’s license, state ID or vehicle registration to enter the park areas without displaying a permit.

However, after April 1, all cars will be required to display either an annual resident permit or current motor vehicle permit.

MetroParks has recruited assistance at numerous locations to distribute the permits. Park users, who live in the West Chester and Liberty Township area, are being encouraged to visit one of the following locations to obtain their permit.

West Chester/Liberty area:
Butler County Visitor’s Bureau
8750 Union Centre Boulevard
513-860-4193
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (M-F)

West Chester/Liberty area: AFTER 3/12/11
Bait Shop at Voice of America Park
7850 VOA Park Drive
513-755-4402
Open all week (weather permitting) 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

“Our goal was to be user-friendly so that no one would have to drive more than 15 minutes to get their free resident permit,” MetroParks’ spokesperson Susan Stretch said in a release. “We have been working to develop a program that would make it easy for everyone to get out and enjoy their parks.”

Park visitors, who don’t live in Butler County, will still be required to purchase a permit at $10 for an annual hangtag or $5 for a daily permit.

For more information, visit the MetroParks of Butler County website.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: MetroParks, MetroParks of Butler County, permits

The MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners promised if its levy passed in November that it would do away with required vehicle permit fees for county residents in 2011. As promised, Butler County residents will be able to enter the parks for free this year. However, after April 1, all cars will be required to display either an annual resident permit or current motor vehicle permit.

Prior to April 1, Butler County residents will be permitted to show proof of residency by either showing a valid driver’s license, state ID or vehicle registration to enter the park areas without displaying a permit.

MetroParks has recruited assistance at numerous locations to distribute the permits. Park users, who live in the West Chester and Liberty Township area, are being encouraged to visit one of the following locations to obtain their permit.

West Chester/Liberty area: AFTER 2/15/11
Butler County Visitor’s Bureau
8750 Union Centre Boulevard
513-860-4193
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm (M-F)

West Chester/Liberty area: AFTER 3/12/11
Bait Shop at Voice of America Park
7850 VOA Park Drive
513-755-4402
Open all week (weather permitting) 8am-8pm

“Our goal was to be user-friendly so that no one would have to drive more than 15 minutes to get their free resident permit,” MetroParks’ spokesperson Susan Stretch said in a release. “We have been working to develop a program that would make it easy for everyone to get out and enjoy their parks.”

Park visitors, who don’t live in Butler County, will still be required to purchase a permit at $10 for an annual hangtag or $5 for a daily permit.

For more information, visit the MetroParks of Butler County website.

Posted in: Government, News |

Tags: Tags: levy, MetroParks, MetroParks levy, MetroParks of Butler County, permits, Susan Stretch