Anderson Park District introduces the APD GeoTrail (launched Fall 2015) offering a trail of caches throughout eight of our parks. This trail is an excellent way to get outside and visit all of our beautiful parks throughout the township. Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to purchase one of our custom Geocoins. Happy Caching!
W. M. Johnson Hills Park
Located at 7950 Bridle Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244, W. M. Johnson Hills Park is one of our most hidden parks. Its 140 acres currently consist of rolling hills and wooded terrain. The community is fortunate to have this land secured as a park for future generations! One unique aspect of Johnson Park is the past residence of William McNeilan Johnson and his wife, Marian B. Johnson. This beautiful historic home has a myriad of possible uses.
History of W. M. Johnson Hills Park
Prior to the acquisition, the Anderson Park District engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process. The purpose in developing this strategic plan was to embrace the community’s vision for parks and recreation services and identify critical links between customers, staff, natural resources, parks recreation facilities, programs, partners and community leaders. The Board of Park Commissioners took a very detailed look at the park district’s current facilities, services and practices; the need for future facilities and services; possible alternative revenue sources and possible partnerships. A variety of meaningful community involvement opportunities were provided to reach as many citizens and leaders as possible in order to gather information and gain their insight on how the park district should spend its resources. Information was gathered from residents through a public hearing, focus group studies, and through two surveys conducted by the APD in 1997 and 2000. The strategic plan has been designed to act as a road map to guide the APD in the near future. It’s important to note that the plan is dynamic and will continue to be a work in progress.
The plan’s findings revealed two key points regarding the future development of the APD. First, as the top priority, the residents and community stakeholders of Anderson said they would like to see Beech Acres Park redeveloped from parkland with strictly athletic fields to a park with more diverse, active recreation amenities. Second, they called for a park with more passive, nature-orientated opportunities. The APD’s Operating Levy passed on November 7, 2000. The majority of the operating levy is earmarked for existing park district programs and facilities. In addition, over 30% of the annual operating budget is supplemented with sources outside of taxes. The levy passage provided enough funding to begin routine maintenance of Johnson Park, however, development funds are primarily devoted to the Beech Acres Park Development. The majority of the development dollars for Johnson Park will come from alternative sources. To stretch the ATPD’s limited funds further, some of the construction will be performed by our full-time staff; construction equipment was purchased for the Beech Acres development and will also be used in this development.
The Johnson Park Planning Committee was formed utilizing interested citizen volunteers; the committee began its work in April of 2001. With the assistance of the APD staff and the planning firm, Human Nature, four master plan alternatives were developed in 2001. Once the construction of Beech Acres Park began, this planning was put on hold. Planning continued in 2009, and with the input of residents, the APD Board directed staff to move forward with the Master plan at the 2010 January Board meeting. For more information go to: Johnson Hills Park
APD GeoTrail:
Feel free to collect each "Codeword" on our premade passport APD GeoTrail Passport
or use your own paper.
APD: Patch O' Pines
APD: Riverside Run
APD: Locust Lane
APD: Learn Laverty
APD: Hackberry Hollow
APD: Cache of Peace
APD: Value Veterans
APD Geocoin
Upon finding each of our caches, geocachers can collect a code word from each cache. Write the code word down for each cache. Once you have found all the caches and collected all the code words, stop by the Anderson Parks RecPlex to purchase our custom GeoCoin! The Anderson Parks RecPlex is located at 6915 Beechmont Ave. and we are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (excluding holidays). The first opportunity to purchase our GeoCoin was at our Launch event on September 26th, 2015.
Anderson Park District GeoTrail Launch Event
Contact Us
If there are issues with any of our caches, you have questions/concerns or if you just want to connect with Anderson Parks. please contact us by:
Phone: (513) 388- 5082
Email: APDReg@andersonparks.com
Fax: (513) 231-4190
Website: AndersonParks.com