“In recent years, the city of around 800,000 has seen a surprising — and popular —revitalization of its urban green spaces, which welcomed some 3.3 million visitors in 2018. On a per-capita basis, this makes Dayton’s parks more popular than New York’s Central Park, the United States’ most-visited,” according to the article.
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The article highlights the work of Five Rivers Metroparks in improving Dayton’s recreational amenities, including the addition of River Run as a kayaking destination on the Great Miami River near RiverScape.
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The article also highlights the bike trail network that spans more than 340 miles and connects the Dayton region to bikeways around the state, as well as conservation initiatives.
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The article also highlights the role Metroparks play in volunteerism and community connectivity.
“Its impressive community involvement also sets it apart. For the past decade, Five Rivers has offered locals everything from backpacking and horticulture classes to an annual outdoor festival and license-free fishing in trout-stocked ponds. In 2018, Five Rivers programs attracted more than a quarter million participants and locals contributed nearly a million dollars’ worth of volunteer hours,” according to the article.
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