Monday, February 22, 1999
Ball fields replace VOA relay station
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Silenced by the end of the Cold War, Voice of America's (VOA) Bethany Relay Station is being converted into what has been fittingly called Freedom Park.
“Ideologically, we're beating our weapons into swing sets and soccer goals,” said David Gully, township administrator. “A byproduct of the Cold War is playgrounds.”
Everything about the new park is big — size, concept and expectations. Township officials call it a jewel — the largest local park in Butler County.
“This park is important because it will add much-needed field space to the community,” project manager Scott Bressler said.
It's also seen by some as an economic development tool, an enticement to businesses that place value on quality-of-life issues like recreation.
The facility will cover 550 acres.
About 220 acres will be developed by Butler County as a public golf course. Its cost — $4 million to $6 million — will be paid by golf fees.
The remaining acres will become the township park.
This month, the township started advertising for consultants to create ideas. They have until March 15 to submit plans, but township officials say the people will decide what recreational facilities will be built.
Baseball and soccer will be high on the list.
In a community of about 59,000 people, there are 1,000 young soccer players and 800 to 1,000 baseball players, according to estimates by Scott Hann, owner of Scott's Award and Specialty Shop, 9044 Cincinnati-Columbus Road.
“Everybody will want his piece of the pie,” he said. “Some people are already jockeying for postion. The park should be made available for as many people as possible. I know it's a lot of space up there, but it will fill up quickly. I hope the (sports) organizations can all work together on this.”
The township has installed seven temporary baseball and seven soccer fields and a walking-jogging course, which are open to the public. Miami University-Middletown hopes to add a student learning center.
It is a jarring contrast for a
site where Cold Warriors aimed VOA radio signals into Central America and other regions. Five years ago, the government switched off the station and demolished its 300-foot towers.
Its equipment was built with technical help from Cincinnati entrepreneur Powel Crosley Jr., owner of WLW radio and creator of the Crosley automobile. The government chose the site because of its elevation — and because WLW's tower was about two miles away.
These days, the towers are gone and the only Cold War reminder is a small switching station. The building — and 10 acres around it — will be used as a “living museum,” including references to VOA history and its worldwide radio broadcasts.
Eventually, the building also will house township police and fire communications offices. “They'll be working not to achieve peace but to maintain the peace,” Mr. Gully said.
The main goal, however, is to meet the recreational needs of a rapidly growing township.
Consultants will gather opinions and develop three alternatives for the property. Later, township officials will conduct public hearings to get suggestions from residents.
“We'll have high-quality, competition-grade facilities,” Mr. Gully said. “And picnic areas and green spaces. We know it costs money, but we want to do things correctly. This will be a jewel of recreation facilities. It will serve the needs of the region.”
Although officials say they don't want to prejudge what types of facilities will be used in the park, they do envision space for football, golf, lakes, picnic areas, snack bars — and some plain green space.
“The park will serve the community for the next 50 years,” Mr. Gully said. “So we want to give people a chance to tell us what they want.
“We want to be thoughtful about how we develop the ground — thoughtful from an environmental and recreational-use standpoint.
“We want the maximum number of people to use it, of course, but we also want to be thoughtful about the businesses and residences around the site. We don't want to destroy their world in the process.”
The strategy pleases Chuck Baxter, a businessman and resident.
“Their thinking is in the right direction,” said Mr. Baxter, owner of All Star Embroidery on Cincinnati- Dayton Road. “There's a tremendous lack of fields out here. A lot of baseball fields have soccer goals in the outfield. Kids always seem to be lacking areas to practice.”
Mr. Baxter said baseball and soccer will be a park priority, judging by his customers' interest. He said the sports are Union Township's favorites.
While various recreation preferences are debated, some people will simply enjoy the park for its more practical rewards.
“Industries are looking for a total package, something well-rounded,” said Joe Hinson, president of the Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
“They want a great place to live and work,” he said. “Anytime you can keep your employees close to work, it benefits the local community and the economy. In this case, the park is good because it has exposure off the interstate and it's convenient. When you say Voice of America, people know where it is.”
When finished, the site will be one of four parks in Union Township, bringing township park land to about 585 total acres, excluding the golf course, said Judith Carter, the township's planning and zoning director.
“Construction has already started on parts of it,” Mr. Gully said. “Every year for the foreseeable future the township will invest in the park. It will be in a state of continual improvement. It represents a chance to serve the community, and that job is never finished.”
Initially, the township will pay from the general fund, and in the future possibly by user fees by forming a park district, Mr. Gully said.
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