Marr Park
Hamilton Township was fortunate to receive a large, 135 acre land donation from the estate of Kathryn S. Marr. The township now has the responsibility of creating a first class park from Mrs. Marr’s gift by establishing amenities for sporting groups, recreational users and establishing natural open spaces.
In September 2009 the Hamilton Township Trustees commissioned KKG to create a Master Plan for the Marr Property. The plan includes opportunities for sporting fields, walking trails, nature trails, playgrounds, restrooms, concessions, buffers, parking and access roads. The township trustees established a steering committee from township residents to work with the consultant during the planning process and provide input from their different personal and professional experiences.
Marr Park Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Hamilton Township Trustees formally approved the Master Plan for Marr Park on January 6th, 2010. Additional details for the new Marr Park on Nunner Road can be found below. The Township will now begin development of construction drawings for future grading on the property tentatively scheduled to begin in the late spring/early summer. If you have comments or questions about the plans please contact Gary Boeres at (513) 683-8520 or by email: gary.boeres@hamilton-township.org
Approved Draft for Marr Park (January 2010)
January 20, 2010 Trustees Worksession Presentation
Aerial (Marr Farm, October 2009)
Concept A (November 2009)
Concept B (November 2009)
Marr Homestead (October 2009)
Marr Homestead B (October 2009)
Marr Site Analysis (October 2009)
Marr Site Analysis B (October 2009)
Bob Weis - Park Supervisor
Hamilton Township purchased the first land for it's parks in August 1975 . The area was a 23.5 Acre parcel of land along Loveland-Maineville RD. which was purchased from Ed Stotler on a 3 year land contract. The 23.5 Acres was laid out to include a park area for ball-fields, a toddler play lot for the smaller kids, and a portion in the back was set aside for cemetery land.
The trustees serving at that time were Tony Arbino, Al Hylton, and O.T. Bishop and the clerk was George Terwilleger. There were state grants that were obtained to improve the park for use by the residents and with the help of the Scouts, Athletic Association, and various residents of the township there was a lot of work done so the land could be used as what it is today.
From the purchase of the land for park use in 1975 until 1979 there was so much going on in the park that it seemed to be a problem for the residents to use it and the trustees felt that they needed a park board to do the scheduling and oversee what goes on with various activities. This was done at the September 5, 1979 meeting and to this time there are seven members on the park board. It was set up in order to cover all the areas with a member representing such groups as Businesses, P.T.A., Scouts, Residents Assoc., Village, Police, one member at large.
There was a request from a group of residents to have a ball-field named for William "Bill" Testerman who was clerk of the township just prior to the purchase of the park land, and this was done in his memory. This is how the park has received his name as Hamilton Township "Testerman" Park.
The park is busy during the winter months but it is constantly being used by ball teams such as soccer, baseball, football, and there is also a basketball court . Tournaments are held in all the ball categories. There is a tennis court, horseshoe court, and a rollie poley court. The tot lot is fenced off in order to protect the young kids from the older rougher one's.
Over the years there has been more land added to the park for parking and more ball fields, which brings the total area currently to approximately 32 acres and it is all being used daily.
The concession stand is leased out each year and those leasing maintain the services for the games played in regard to food. There are shelter houses with grills and picnic tables. There is a walking trail that surrounds the park and is very much used for exercise.
There are no pets allowed in the park as they tend to pose problems with the games, not to mention the problem that they cause for the kids playing out on the grass when their droppings are left and not properly taken care of by the owners.
Hamilton Township is proud of it's park system and is continually working to open more park area for the residents. The township has approximately 300 acres of park land set aside for it's residents and at this point only Testerman Park area is developed for use. It is hard to develop other park areas when there is so much damage being done to the area that is open for use to the township residents.
With growth comes problems and the park is not exempt from those problems. The current problems within the park is the skate boards ripping the picnic tables to pieces and tearing up the restroom facilities as well as the very nice gazebo that was placed in the park last summer. There is a large concern of residents using the park as a dumpsite for their garbage, old furniture and the like.
The trustees are working toward being able to open the 263 acres on Stubbs-Mill Road to allow fishing and limited boating as well as other activities.
The land along Stubbs-Mill Road is adjacent to the ODNR bike trail and the Little Miami River. It is an extension of the Mounts Park where the first settlers south of the Little Miami River gathered in 1795 and built their cabins in a circle around a spring just west of what is known as Mount's Station. There were five families among this settlement. Mount's Park is a state recognized area in the township and will soon become a much larger park with various activities.
This land was purchased from Dravo Gravel Company on a land contract in 1984, in the amount of $200,000.00. The land was leased to Morrow Gravel Company for approximately 8 years for gravel extraction. The gravel that was taken from the land paid the township back a little more than 600,000.00 over that time, which more than paid for the initial purchase and also helped the improvements for the 28 acre park on Loveland-Maineville RD. Which is called Hamilton Township "Testerman" Park.
Trustees in office at the time of the land purchase were O.T. Bishop, Clyde Baston, and Fred Oeder, clerk at that time was Jackie Terwilleger.
There are several beaver in this area and they are trying to work around them in order to get things accomplished. This area is adjoining the over 13 mile of bike trail that runs through the township. When done it is hoped that it will be an asset to the township. This too has been a long time project and will be for at least another year or possibly two.
This was a good move for the township and with dreams coming true, someday the park will be a place that the residents will be proud to visit with their families and friends.
Hamilton Township now has a park for walking your dog or just taking him out to let him run for exercise. This park is located on the corner of Morrow-Cozaddale Road and East US 22 & 3 just across from the Little Miami High school. It consists of 6.5873 Acres of land donated to the township by J.P.S. Development, LLC.
The park is fenced and has the necessary tools for you to clean up from your pet with plastic bags, trash cans and the like.
There are two fenced off areas one with a little over two acres and one with a little over one acre for the large and small animals. There are two benches for resting while your pet is playing, and the parking is at the veterinarian parking lot adjacent to the park as well as the high school parking lot just across the road. "Please under no circumstances park at the adjoining Ms. Michelle's Day Care facility. The owner has concerns regarding the safety of her children and the use of the daycare parking lot for the loading and unloading of animals."
This park has been built totally by donations from many pet lovers in the area.
If you would be interested in donating to this project we are located at;
7780 South State Route 48 P.O. Box 699
Maineville, Ohio 45039
Visit the park anytime.
Testerman Park Orienteering Course Instructions- Click here
Spring
Easter Egg Hunt
The Township has an Easter Egg hunt every year on the Saturday before Easter. The Boy Scouts of the area takes care of hiding the eggs and there are several volunteers that color the 150 dozen of eggs for them to hide.
There are age groups that are set up between the ages of toddler through 11 years old. Special eggs are marked for prizes for each participant. There is something for everyone involved.
Again this event takes place at 1:00pm on the Saturday before Easter at Hamilton Township (Testerman Park) located on 8373 Maineville Rd. Maineville, Ohio
Summer
Independence Day Holiday Parade
Fall
Halloween will be observed October 31, from 6PM until 8PM
Winter
The Annual Township Christmas Party will be held on the First Friday of December every year starting at 6:30 with a Parade of Lights and Santa will arrive at the Fire House at 7:00 p.m....
The Fire House is located at 69 W. Foster-Maineville RD. , Maineville, Ohio
There will be cookies and hot chocolate and the Boy Scouts will be having hot dogs and snacks for everyone to enjoy. There will be Christmas music to either sing along with or just listen to. Join us for a fun filled evening!
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