About Great Parks
Established in 1930, Great Parks is dedicated to preserving and protecting natural resources and providing outdoor recreation and education to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations. Managing 22 parks and conservation areas and spanning over 18,000 acres, Great Parks serves as a vital steward of Hamilton County’s greenspace. As a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, it is governed by a Board of Park Commissioners. Five board members are appointed by the Hamilton County Probate Court Judge and serve without compensation.
About the Levies
Hamilton County voters last approved 10-year levies in 2016 and 2021 to support day-to-day operations and capital improvements across the park district.
The 2016 1 mill levy generates approximately $2.58 million per year for capital projects. Outside funding through our recreational revenue streams, Motor Vehicle Permit sales, State and Federal grants, and philanthropic support through private donations offset the gap in funding.
On May 15, 2025, the Board of Park Commissioners for Great Parks unanimously approved a resolution to place a renewal of the 1-mill levy on the November 4, 2025, general election ballot in Hamilton County for another 10-year term. Renewing this levy will not increase taxes and will continue the current level of support for the 22 parks and conservation areas of the 18,000+ acres in the Great Parks system.
The 2021 0.95 mill levy funds approximately 76% of critical infrastructure needs ($101 million) and approximately 56% of the planned park improvements ($124 million) identified through the Great Parks Master Plan. Outside funding through our recreational revenue streams, Motor Vehicle Permit sales, State and Federal grants, and our philanthropic support through donations, including the Go Big! $50 million capital campaign to help offset the gap in funding.
Why does Great Parks need local funding? Local funding is essential to maintaining and improving Great Parks of Hamilton County. While the park system generates revenue through grants, fees and donations, these sources alone do not cover the full cost of operations, maintenance, and future improvements. The community’s investment through local levies ensures that Great Parks can continue to preserve greenspace, protect natural resources, resolve critical infrastructure issues, and improve parks and facilities. This levy keeps our parks safe, clean, and accessible while maintaining trails, facilities, and conservation areas. Without it, there will be significant reductions in maintenance and programming, and it will limit access to numerous facilities and amenities. .
What does the 2016 levy funding support? The 1-mill levy provides funding for essential operations, staffing and capital improvements, including:
- Upgrade, improve, enhance existing facilities and increase accessibility
- Protect, preserve and restore natural resources and wildlife habitat
- Improve the water quality and enhance the recreational use of Sharon Lake
- Upgrades and improvements to paved and natural surface trails
- Continue to lead the region in planning for current and future shared-use trails
- Playground upgrades and enhancements
- Upgrading nature education and interpretive exhibits
- Improvement and upgrades to infrastructure including roadways, parking lots, bridges, dams, building and park utilities
What does the additional funding of the 2021 levy support? Approximately 76% of existing critical infrastructure needs including:
- Natural resource management and restoration
- Building repairs and renovations
- Paved roads, trails, golf cart paths, and parking lots
- Dam and bridge maintenance
- Playground improvements
- Recreational facilities
- Property boundary surveys
- Nature center exhibits
- Signage improvements
- Utilities – water, electric, technology, wastewater treatment, and stormwater
Approximately 56% of new park and facility master plan priorities including:
- New trails
- New regional trails
- Blueways
- Revitalized harbors
- New camping experiences
- Improved disc golf courses
- Improved play experiences
- New major buildings
- Restored habitat
- Green stormwater retrofits
- Mature forests management
- Werk Road Property improvements
The master plan priorities represent one-third of the total projects that resulted from the public input process.
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