MIAMI TOWNSHIP — A park being excavated from what was once a field of clover might be available for parking by next spring for people wanting to use the nearby Little Miami Bike Trail.

        Miami Riverview Park, when it is completed in spring 2003, will be the township's fourth park built in the last 10 years.

        Township officials say the key to buying the property — about 35 acres — was its proximity to the bike trail, which stretches for about 60 miles from Yellow Springs to Milford, following the Little Miami River and an old railroad line.

        They also say the new park's location in the northern section of the township, which is not served by a park, was key. The park is located off Branch Hill-Loveland Road, which runs along the Little Miami River.

        “It's a thrill to see a park serving more of the northern part of the township,” said Trustee Mary Makley Wolff. “It had been a little more difficult to find land there. And what I really love about it will be the access to the bike trail.”

        Walt Fischer, the township's service director, said the park will have four baseball fields, two soccer fields, and eventually a basketball court and tennis courts.

        A restroom facility will be built over the winter, and a playground will be constructed next year.

        When a parking lot is completed, at the latest next spring, bicyclists wanting to use the bike trail will be able to use the parking lot and gain access to the trail, said Mr. Fischer.

        “Right now there is parking for that in Loveland, but it gets very crowded,” said Mr. Fischer.

        The playing fields in the $800,000 project will not be ready until fall 2002, or, more likely, spring 2003.

        “The fields really need to set a year before you start playing on them,” said Mr. Fischer. “The grass needs to get established.”

        Ms. Wolff said parks and recreation are important contributions to a community's quality of life.

        “It is among the factors that attract people to a community,” said Ms. Wolff. “... Recreation is a place to play, a place to relax, a place to be a family.”

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