News
Vultures Are Here To Stay
It’s November, and Ohio’s migratory summer-breeding birds have left the state. That list of migrants includes the turkey vulture, which, as recently as a few decades ago, was southwest Ohio’s only vulture species.
Katy Lucas Receives 2025 Ohio Project WILD Facilitator of the Year Award
Since 2017, Katy Lucas, Environmental Education Supervisor at the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD), has been a driving force in advancing environmental education across the region.
Winter Program Registration
Online registration for winter programs begins Monday, November 10 at 10:00 a.m. for Centerville and Washington Township residents.
Carve Out Some Fun with CWPD Pumpkin Templates
Show off your park pride this Halloween! We’ve created two free pumpkin carving templates featuring our favorite feathered friend, Owlexander, and the Centerville-Washington Park District tree logo.
The Terrific, Radiant, Humble Garden Spider
It’s probably fair to say that, despite our fondness and admiration for the title character from Charlotte’s Web, most people are happy to keep spiders at a distance for most of the year.
Centerville Noon Optimist Club Donation Funds Universal Changing Table at Oak Grove Park
Thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from the Centerville Noon Optimist Club, the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) has installed a universal changing table in the family restroom at Oak Grove Park’s Noon Optimist Shelter.
Predator-pray: The Carolina Mantis
There’s no mistaking a praying mantis! Praying mantises are named for the front-facing, folded forelegs that give the appearance of an animal in prayer.
New Pickleball Courts Open at Yankee Park
Game on! The Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) has added two new pickleball courts at Yankee Park, meeting growing community demand for the fast-paced, social sport.
Plants without photosynthesis: trading greenery for thievery
Flowering plants (angiosperms; as opposed to other land plants like evergreens, ferns, and mosses) are characterized by flowers that produce seeds encapsulated within a fruit.
Grant Park Bridges Dedicated
On Tuesday, July 16, 2025, the Centerville-Washington Park District held a dedication ceremony to recognize the completion of two new bridges at Grant Park.
One Picture, So Many Questions
This is a pair of stream bluet damselflies, Enallagma exsulans, a common species found in every Ohio county.
New Communication Boards Promote Inclusion in Community Parks
The Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) is proud to announce the installation of three new communication boards at playgrounds across the district, all made possible through generous support from community partners.
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Pollinators Strike Gold(enrod)
For a lot of gardeners, the definition of a weed — any plant that grows where it’s not wanted — applies perfectly to goldenrods.
Adapted Action Day Returns to Activity Center Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: The Centerville-Washington Park District invites the community to Adapted Action Day on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Activity Center Park, 221 N.
Truck or Treat
Join us at Oak Grove Park on Saturday, October 17 for a fall family favorite! From 10:00 a.m. until noon, explore a lineup of awesome trucks and community vehicles while collecting treats and giveaways along the way.
Halloween Hop and Howl Returns to Forest Field Park for its 6th Year
CENTERVILLE, OH: Join the Centerville-Washington Park District and local businesses on Thursday, October 1 and/or October 8 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. for a festive, family-friendly stroll!
GLOW-tastic! Fun Run / Walk
A special glow-in-the-dark fun run and walk at Schoolhouse Park! We will kick off the event on Friday, October 9 with an approximately 0.5-mile paved trail lined with colorful lights and glow-in-the-dark decor for you to explore
CWPD Hosting Movie Party in the Park at Oak Creek South Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Hear ye, hear ye! Join the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) at Oak Creek South Park on Friday, September 18 for a journey back in time for games and activities inspired by the Renaissance period.
The Fairy and Gnome Home Festival Returns to Bill Yeck Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Celebrate your child’s imagination and creativity with the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD)!
Eastern Hornet Fly: A Master Mimic
Within the insect order Diptera—the flies—the family Syrphidae is one of the largest groups, with more than 6,000 species described worldwide.
Halloween Hop and Howl
Join the Centerville-Washington Park District and local businesses on Thursday, October 1 and/or October 8 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. for a festive, family-friendly stroll!
Movie Night in the Park: How to Train Your Dragon
Hear ye, hear ye! Join us at Oak Creek South Park on Friday, September 18 for a journey back in time for games and activities inspired by the renaissance period.
Over the Rainbow Bridge Memorial
At the Centerville-Washington Park District, your losses are ours as well. This National Pet Memorial Day, we invite our community members to honor pets who have passed by adding their photos to the temporary Rainbow Bridge memorial.
Thank You, Hike for Your Health Volunteers!
Hike for Your Health is one of the Centerville-Washington Park District’s most popular year-round programs, and we have a dedicated team of volunteers to thank for it!
Fairy and Gnome Home Festival
Celebrate your child’s imagination and creativity with CWPD! On Saturday, September 12 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m., build a fairy and gnome home out of natural materials for our woodland residents.
YoGlow
Ommmmm … Method Yoga‘s Megan Lees will lead this outdoor yoga class from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4 in the peaceful Forest Field Park setting.
Business and Civic Leader Breakfast
Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. David L. Goldstein, Emeritus Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University
Discover Everyday Strategies for Healthy Aging and Independence
CENTERVILLE, OH: Join the Centerville-Washington Park District on Friday, August 14, for an interactive presentation at the Activity Center Park Community Room focused on practical strategies to help older adults stay strong
My Swallowtail Teachers
Ohio’s half-dozen swallowtail butterfly species — black, giant, pipevine, spicebush, tiger, and zebra — are large, showy, and beautiful.
Fall Newsletter and Registration Information
For Centerville and Washington Township residents, online registration opens Monday, August 10, at 10 a.m.
Free Movie Party Lights UP Forest Field Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Movie Party in the Park is back at Forest Field Park on Saturday, August 1, with an exciting outdoor screening of UP!
10th Annual BIG Backyard Party returns to Oak Grove Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: The 10th annual BIG Backyard Party returns to Oak Grove Park on Saturday, July 25!
A Box of Tree Swallows
In the famous opening scene of Forrest Gump, a mostly-white feather floats down from the sky to land at Forrest’s feet.
Free Tie-Dye Picnic Returns to Activity Center Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Join the Centerville-Washington Park District and the Washington-Centerville Public Library on Saturday, July 11, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. for the second annual free tie-dye event: Splash of Color Picnic!
Centerville-Washington Park District Invites Community to Help Shape Future of Pickleball Courts at Activity Center Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: The Centerville-Washington Park District and the Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks invite the community to attend The Big Dink, an open-house-style event focused on the future of pickleball at Activity
Finding Unique Ways to Explore Ohio’s Natural Resources
The Centerville-Washington Park District’s mission is to deliver fun, healthy, and outstanding park experiences that connect the community with the outdoors.
Sunday Sundaes Offering Free Ice Cream Sundaes at Bill Yeck Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Kick off red, white and blue week on Sunday, June 28, with a free sundae at the Smith House at Bill Yeck Park!
Family Fun Tennis Day returns to Schoolhouse Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Join the Centerville-Washington Park District at the Schoolhouse Park tennis courts on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. until noon for a free fun-filled morning enjoying tennis!
The Big Dink: A Summer Court Social at Activity Center Park
The Centerville-Washington Park District and Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks are teaming up for an evening of dinks, drinks* and BIG designs on Wednesday, July 1, from 6 – 8 pm!
Scattered Reflections on How to be Purple
Violet, lilac, lavender, orchid, mauve: all names for shades of the color purple, and all named for flowers (mauve from the French word for mallow).
Connecting Literacy with Nature in Your CWPD Parks
With 51 parks, the Centerville-Washington Park District is your opportunity to explore your community’s BIG backyard and all the amenities offered throughout your township.
Are You Up to the Challenge?
Our Summer Pop-Up Park Challenge is here! We’ll post challenges on our Facebook page throughout the summer months.
Activity Center Park Sprayground Opening Day
The sprayground will open for the 2026 season on Friday, May 22! The sprayground is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Integrated Transition Options Program (ITOP)
The Integrated Transition Options Program (ITOP) is an educational partnership between Centerville City Schools, Bethany Village and local businesses.
Activity Center Park Playground Survey
Thank you to those who attended the May 13 public input open house for the 2027 Activity Center Park playground update!
5-6-2026: The Great Garden Race Debuts at Oak Creek South Park
The Great Garden Race Debuts at Oak Creek South Park
CWPD Receives Ohio Success Award
The Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) has been recognized as a 2026 Ohio Success Award winner in the government category by Ohio Business Magazine.
Summer Program Registration
Online registration for summer programs begins Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. for Centerville and Washington Township residents.
On Catalpas; A Rhapsody
From the spring beauties of March through the asters of November, our woods and meadows progress through a wonderful cycle of herbaceous (non-woody) wildflowers.
Preserving Ohio’s History of Transportation in Your Parks
Among the Centerville-Washington Park District’s 1,060 acres, a unique nod to Ohio’s history of transportation lies among the trails!
4-30-2026: Get Outta the Swamp and into the Park for a Shrek Movie Party!
CENTERVILLE, OH: Even an ogre would have fun! The Centerville-Washington Park District is hosting a spring Movie Party in the Park on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Activity Center Community Input Open House
In 2007, Activity Center Park was the first Centerville-Washington Park District location to feature an all-access playground.
4-28-2026: Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend with Flowers, Music and Memories at Bill Yeck Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: The Centerville-Washington Park District will be celebrating mothers of all kinds on Friday, May 8, 2026.
4-9-2026: Color Fun Run Returns to Forest Field Park
CENTERVILLE, OH: Get ready to run, dash, and get splashed with color at the Cue the Hue! Color Fun Run, happening Saturday, April 18 at Forest Field Park.
Rosewood Park Updates
Thanks to multiple grant funding sources, the Centerville-Washington Park District has completed a major restoration of the one-acre pond at Rosewood Park and will soon add a new playground for families to enjoy.
4-2-2026: Teddy Bear Picnic Returns to Bill Yeck Park for a Sweet Spring Evening
Teddy Bear Picnic Returns to Bill Yeck Park for a Sweet Spring Evening
Bee? Fly? Bee fly!
You hear a buzz. You see a fuzzy insect heading for a flower. Naturally, you think, “bee.” But something’s not quite right.
We’re off To See the Bloodroot
Poppies! Just the scent of them famously sent Dorothy and her Wizard of Oz companions into a deep slumber.
2025 CWPD Highlights
From unforgettable events to exciting park upgrades, there’s much to celebrate about your community’s BIG backyard!
Bringing Lifesaving Technology through Ohio Innovation & Industry
Centerville-Washington Park District’s (CWPD) mission is to deliver fun, healthy, and outstanding park experiences that connect the community with the outdoors.
Now Hiring!
The Centerville-Washington Park District is currently accepting applications for temporary seasonal employees in operations and programming!
Summer Camp Registration
Centerville-Washington Park District 2026 summer camp registration begins on Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. for residents of Centerville and Washington Township.
Pileated Woodpeckers: Large and in Charge
Pileated woodpeckers never fail to impress. The first sign of their presence usually is auditory—the wild, laugh-like call, or the heavy jackhammering on a trunk.
Highlighting Ohio’s First & Originals within CWPD
Connecting the community with unique park experiences and the greater outdoors, the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) provides innumerable resources for learning and discovering Ohio’s impact on the past.
Spring Program Registration
Online registration for Centerville-Washington Park District’s 2026 spring programs begins Monday, February 9, at 10 a.m. for Centerville and Washington Township residents.
Public Notice: Request for Qualifications
Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) requests professional design firms interested in providing professional design services that will cost less than $50,000 to submit a Statement of Qualification (SOQ) pursuant to Ohio
Wandering and wondering: Looking back on a year chasing bugs!
Edwin Way Teale, one of the mid-20th century’s preeminent nature writers, repeatedly traversed the US and chronicled his observations and reflections in his “American Seasons” books.
2026 Shelter Reservations
Perfect for birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions and more, large group shelters are available in eight of the Centerville-Washington Park District community parks.
Leaves of Three, Birds Eat Free
Parents sending their kids out to explore the meadows and woods of Greene and Montgomery Counties can take comfort that we don’t have alligators, mountain lions, or poisonous snakes.
Recycle Your Holiday Lights
Don’t let broken or unwanted lights dim your holiday spirit–participate in the Cohen Holiday Lights Recycling Drive!
CWPD Wins First-Place Statewide Award for Natural Resources & Conservation
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence, and the Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) has been honored with a first-place award in the Natural Resources and
Who Needs Lungs Anyhow?
There’s no more relaxing way to spend a summer day than creekin’. Wander down a local creek and you’re sure to scare up a variety of critters: minnows and darters swim off to undisturbed waters, crayfish skitter under the nearest
Are You up to the Challenge?
We’ll post challenges on our Facebook page throughout the summer months. Complete eight out of ten posted pop-up park challenges and win a $20 Whit’s Frozen Custard gift card!
New Park Commissioner Appointed
Gregory Stephens has been appointed to serve a three-year term on the Board of Park Commissioners of the Centerville-Washington Park District.
Kind of Blue
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue….INDIGO. What is that color, the “I” in ROYGBIV? According to Wikipedia, ”indigo” might refer to a number of hues in the range from blue to violet.
New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Partnership with MVRPC
Two new Level II electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed at Centerville-Washington Park District’s Forest Field and Oak Grove Parks, expanding public access to sustainable transportation infrastructure in the region.
CWPD Community Needs Assessment Survey
Your opinion matters to us! We are serious about providing the park experiences you want. The more we hear about what is important to the community, the better we can serve.
Bats in the Beech Tree
With the arrival of April, lots of animal migrants are returning north to Ohio from their wintering grounds.
Blackbirds Announce Spring!
Waiting for this moment: blackbirds announce spring
Highlights from 2024 in the CWPD Annual Report
The Centerville-Washington Park District’s 2024 Annual Report is available. From unforgettable events to park upgrades, there’s much to celebrate!
Punctuating winter—with butterflies!
It’s midwinter and, as I write this, temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing for the January week ahead.
Become a Park Commissioner
The Park Board will seat a new commissioner in May 2025. Commissioner Jason Riley will step down after completing a three-year term.
Lessons on Aging
As time goes by: Lessons on aging from the birds and the bees