RICK McGIVERN
Metro Parks Finance Director & Treasurer
The 2025 Budget was recently approved by our Board of Park Commissioners at the December 2 meeting. This approval launches another year of our work toward clean, safe parks. Download our Annual Report and Budget document for all the numbers, plus detailed information about every park and Metro Parks department, with stunning photos from the parks.
In 2024, Metro Parks saw tremendous attendance at the Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk and at our own special events such as Bark Bash and Scioto Fest.
Environmental improvements included: land acquisition, the planting of thousands of trees, battling invasive species and restoring flood plains. Also, major cleanup efforts of waterways at Scioto Audubon, Great Southern, Scioto Grove and Three Creeks improved both water quality and park beauty.
Access to parks was also a major effort as we built a new inclusive playground at Blendon Woods for those with disabilities, extended trails at Sharon Woods, improved both the breezeway and cart paths at the Blacklick Woods Golf Course, and added canoe access docks at Battelle Darby Creek and Prairie Oaks.
Metro Parks did all of this at a very competitive price. As compared to other large Ohio park districts, Metro Parks has both the lowest voted millage and lowest effective millage. Metro Parks also has no debt, which allows for the investment of tax revenues rather than the fees and interest costs of debt financing. Investment income of approximately $1.5 million was more than enough to pay for all vehicle and equipment purchases in 2024. These assets will likely last for several years and include the trucks, tractors, and other machinery and equipment needed to keep the parks in great shape.
The Vision of Metro Parks is to: Change Lives… Naturally. The 2025 budget provides the blueprint for achieving that vision while acting as a careful steward of taxpayer funds.