Great Parks Surpasses 18,000 Acres of Protected Land

Great Parks has acquired an additional 240 acres of land near Miami Whitewater Forest.

(Hamilton County, Oh.) - Great Parks has acquired an additional 240 acres of land near Miami Whitewater Forest to expand its total land holdings beyond 18,000 acres, or more than 28 square miles, building on its position as the largest landowner in Hamilton County. Great Parks purchased this property from the James L. Lake and Carolyn H. Lake Trust.

“We are thrilled to reach this milestone and grateful to the Lake family for working with us to preserve this natural space,” said Todd Palmeter, Great Parks CEO. “Great Parks continues to receive strong public support for the conservation and preservation of greenspace. This land is nearly surrounded by Miami Whitewater Forest, adding to what is already the largest park in the county.”

The wooded property is adjacent to Miami Whitewater Forest to the north, east and west, and lies across state Route 128 from the Miami Whitewater Forest soccer complex and Simmonds Family Dog Park. 

Great Parks will focus on restoring the land to its natural state, including reforestation and removing invasive species such as honeysuckle. Great Parks will also evaluate the property for the potential addition of walking or biking trails.

The numbers show just how significant the Big Lands are within Great Parks:

• Great Parks land accounts for one-third of Hamilton County’s total open space.
• 84 percent of Great Parks land is preserved as natural areas.
• 10,000 acres under Great Parks management exists as forests and wetlands.

The agency adheres to an 80/20 policy through which 80 percent of total land holdings are maintained in a natural state and managed for ecological benefits.

Great Parks secured all funding for the acquisition, including a $3 million grant from the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program, funds from a private donor and Great Parks levy funds.