BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Trustees and Kings Local School District leaders are contemplating the joint purchase and development of 37 acres near the Little Miami River.
The King Avenue land sits between the Riverwalk subdivision and the river, and could go a long way toward addressing mutual needs of the township and the district, officials said.
Tentative plans call for the township to receive 19 acres for development into park space. The remaining 18 acres would go to Kings for park space and possibly a new building that would combine Kings Mills and South Lebanon elementary schools.
Acquiring the land would cost the district and the township about $250,000 each.
Trustee President Larry Backus is excited about the deal.
"I think this is a great project that fits in with the goals and objectives of everyone," he said. "This seems like almost the perfect partnership in that we both have an overlapping need for active play fields."
Board members and trustees met Thursday to discuss the possible deal, but a decision was not made.
"The prospect of working with the township is just one possibility that the board is considering at this time," school board President Janet Noble said. "We are interested in working with the township trustees if that is what the community feels we should do."
School board officials have scheduled three public meetings in September so residents can offer their thoughts. The 7 p.m. meetings will be Sept. 14 in the South Lebanon Elementary School cafeteria; Sept. 16 in the Kings Mills Elementary cafeteria; and Sept. 17 in the J.F. Burns Elementary cafeteria.
"We could really do some exciting things that could be of real benefit and importance to the district," Mrs. Noble said. "But we can't move forward with any options without the support of the community."
The township has obtained the right to buy the 37-acre tract. Trustees also have the right of first refusal on another 63 acres of the property. Mr. Backus said trustees have agreed to delay finalizing the purchase until they have a firm idea of the school board's intentions. Whether the real estate deal will move forward should be known by late September, officials said.
Township leaders support the deal because it could provide a much-needed expansion to Deerfield's park space. With its population eclipsing 19,000 residents, the township has less than 50 acres of developed parkland.
But some aggressive moves over the past few months have put the township in a position to acquire some prime real estate. Trustees want to add 250 to 300 acres of parks to the township's 19 square miles over the next 12 months.
Trustees have been negotiating with the owner to buy portions of his 100-acre farm in Kings Mill for months, Mr. Backus said. The property is the location of the Ahimaaz King Mansion, one of the village's many most historic landmarks.
Mr. Backus said trustees will also have a chance to preserve the property's historical value.
"The late 18th century Victorian mansion is the home of one of the founders of Kings Mills," Mr. Backus said. "This entire 100-acre plot will be the crown jewel of the township's park system at some point in the future."
