Indian Creek park re-opens in Reily Township | News

REILY TOWNSHIP, OH (FOX19) - MetroParks of Butler County announced on Monday the re-opening of the Springfield Road Area of Indian Creek MetroPark (formerly known as Upper Indian Creek Preserve) to the general public on a daily basis from 8am to dark. The park area is located just outside the village of Reilly and will be open for the first time in four years during the winter months. Many believe it contains the most scenic hiking trails in the park system which wind through pine forest and hardwoods along Indian Creek. It also boasts an amazing display of wildflowers in the spring. This is the final park to be re-opened after funding was drastically cut to the park system two years ago forcing the closure of many park areas. "We know how important this park area was to visitors," said Jonathan Granville Executive Director for MetroParks. "The Park Board of Commissioners dedicated portions of the levy funding towards getting the park areas re-opened as promised last fall during the campaign. It is exciting to see it come to fruition as the final park area opens on schedule."

Some of the improvements made to the area include a new parking lot and re-paved access drive which was paid for by ODOT funding. Due to a lack of funding, the access drive had fallen into a severe state of disrepair making it difficult for people to access this park area. The hiking trails have been cleared and marked and general maintenance that had been deferred for several years was completed to make the area ready once again for visitors. "New grills have also been installed and the shelter was improved to give visitors many reasons to visit this popular park area," Granville said.