MIAMI TOWNSHIP — A skate park will open sometime this summer, and a brand-new park will open by spring 2003, so it made sense for this Clermont County township to hire a full-time recreation director.

        Beth Salazar, who has 23 years of experience working for YMCAs across the country, began work in February and has already scheduled a number of events, including summer camps, softball and basketball programs, yoga classes and arts programs.

        The township is also working in collaboration with Milford schools and using their gymnasiums for camps and some youth basketball programs.

        “I wanted to see what we could get going in the community, indoors as well as outdoors,” said Ms. Salazar. “We'll be using Miami Meadows Park for camp, the Lemming House (at Community Park, off Buckwheat Road) for camp. Almost all of the camps are new.”

        The skate park is expected to open by June at Miami Meadows, where two new outdoor basketball courts have also gone in. And Mi ami Riverview Park, located off Branch Hill-Loveland Road, is scheduled to open in spring 2003.

        That 35-acre site nestles up to the Little Miami River and the bike trail that runs along it. Visitors will be able to leave their cars at the park and gain access to the trail. There will be baseball and soccer fields and, eventually, basketball and tennis courts at the park.

        Trustee Mary Makley Wolff said the board of trustees wanted a full-time recreation director to serve a population that has grown by close to 30 percent over the past 10 years to more than 36,000 residents.

        “The residents want quality recreation and programs,” said Ms. Wolff of both the decision to hire a recreation director and build a new park. “What Beth brings to the table is a wealth of experience in programming. I know as a mom it's nice to have some other options for the kids in summer other than sitting in front of a television or computer. What she's doing is ambitious.”

        For more information about the programs, Ms. Salazar can be reached at 248-3725, extension 116.

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