Five Rivers MetroParks

What Five Rivers MetroParks does

Five Rivers MetroParks is an independent political subdivision of the state of Ohio under Ohio Revised Code 1545, founded in 1963 to preserve green space in the Dayton region. The organization manages nearly 16,000 acres across 35 locations in Montgomery County, including 18 parks, 11 conservation areas, the 2nd Street Market, and portions of six regional recreation trails, with a network exceeding 340 miles of paved trail (the largest such network in the United States) and over 150 miles of additional hiking and water trails. It serves an estimated 530,000 Montgomery County residents plus regional visitors with free park access, while operating a 30+ person Ranger Division that provides 24-hour law enforcement and public safety coverage across 25 facilities.

The organization's product portfolio spans free public park access, fee-based educational programs (Trails Challenge, Birding Challenge, Passport to MetroParks), equipment and facility rentals (paddling, biking, shelters, campsites, community garden plots), heritage experiences (Carriage Hill Historical Farm living-history site and Riding Center), and a retail market venue (2nd Street Market). Digital infrastructure includes a free mobile application for iOS and Android, online reservation systems at metroparks.org, and an interactive parks map. The organization holds CAPRA national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and is ADA-compliant.

Five Rivers MetroParks is funded primarily (approximately 93% as of 2025) through voter-approved property tax levies, with two levies currently in force: the 2018 Issue 6 levy (1.8 mills + 0.2 mill increase) funding operations through 2028, and the November 2024 Issue 35 levy (1.0 mill, 10-year) addressing a $58 million repair and replacement backlog. Alternative revenue sources including grants, corporate sponsorships, vendor fees, program fees, and equipment rentals contribute approximately $1 million annually. The affiliated Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation (established September 2014) supplements this through philanthropic channels including the Champions recurring donation program, adopt-an-animal, corporate giving (Dorothy Lane Market, Kroger Community Rewards, Combined Federal Campaign #14501), and land endowments. The organization is governed by a three-member volunteer Board of Park Commissioners appointed by the Montgomery County Probate Judge, with Karen L. Hesser serving as CEO since 2023.

Name

Five Rivers MetroParks

Legal name

Five Rivers MetroParks

Website

https://metroparks.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Five Rivers MetroParks is a public park district managing nearly 16,000 acres across 35 locations in Montgomery County, Ohio, serving 530,000 residents with free outdoor recreation, conservation, and educational programming, funded primarily by voter-approved property tax levies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Levies: Approximately 93% of funding comes from two property tax levies. The 2018 levy (1.8 mills + 0.2 increase) funds operations through 2028. A new 1.0 mill, 10-year levy approved in 2024 addresses $58 million backlog in repair and replacement projects.
2. Philanthropic Support: Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation (established September 2014) raises funds through individual donations, Champions recurring donation program, tribute donations, adopt-an-animal program, planned giving, land endowments, and corporate sponsorships
3. User Fees and Programs: Fees for fee-based programs, camps, equipment rentals, shelter reservations, campsite rentals, and special event permits that offset costs and supplement tax funding
4. Alternative Revenue Sources: Grants, sponsorships, vendor fees at 2nd Street Market, and other partnerships have generated nearly $1 million in new annual revenue in recent years

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Five Rivers MetroParks is a public park district that operates 18 parks, 11 conservation areas, the 2nd Street Market, and portions of six regional recreation trails spanning nearly 16,000 acres across Montgomery County, Ohio. It provides free public access to parks, trails, and natural areas, and offers fee-based programs, equipment rentals, facility reservations, heritage attractions, and nature education for residents and visitors.

Product overview

Five Rivers MetroParks is a parks and recreation organization operating 18 parks, 11 conservation areas, the 2nd Street Market, and portions of six regional recreation trails across nearly 16,000 acres in Montgomery County, Ohio. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of products and services including park facilities and amenities, educational programs (Trails Challenge, Birding Challenge, Passport to MetroParks), equipment rentals (paddling, biking, camping gear, education kits), facility reservations (shelters, campsites, event venues), heritage attractions (Carriage Hill Historical Farm, Historical Farm activities), recreational facilities (Riding Center), community garden plots, a mobile app for park visitors, and financial assistance programs. The parks and facilities are free to enter for residents, with fees applied for specialized programs, equipment rentals, and exclusive facility use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Five Rivers MetroParks Mobile App A free mobile application for iPhone and Android that gives visitors access to park information and trail maps from their mobile devices.
• 2nd Street Market A farmers market and artisanal goods venue located at 600 E. Second St., Dayton, featuring local growers, bakers, culinary specialists, and artisans in a historic freight house setting.
• MetroParks Trails Challenge An annual challenge program featuring hiking, walking, cycling, paddling, mountain biking, and horseback riding adventures across MetroParks trails.
• MetroParks Birding Challenge A citizen science program inviting participants to engage in birding activities and contribute to bird observation data collection.
• Passport to MetroParks An interactive outdoor experience program at RiverScape MetroPark offering activities for families and visitors.
• RiverScape Paddling Rentals Kayak and canoe rental services at RiverScape MetroPark for water recreation on the Great Miami River.
• RiverScape Bike Hub Bicycle rental facility at RiverScape MetroPark providing cycling equipment for trail exploration.
• Weekend Equipment Rentals Equipment rental service offering various outdoor recreation gear for visitor use on weekends.
• Community Garden Plots Garden plot rentals at MetroParks for community members to grow their own produce and plants.
• Shelter Reservations Reservation service for 44 shelters across the park district for events, gatherings, and celebrations.
• Campsite Reservations Overnight camping site reservations at designated MetroParks locations for frontcountry camping experiences.
• Carriage Hill Historical Farm Living history museum recreating 1880s farm life with period demonstrations, a blacksmith shop, woodshop, historic house and barn, and heirloom animals.
• Carriage Hill Riding Center Horseback riding facility offering trail rides, pony rides, summer horse camps, and riding lessons.
• Adopt-An-Animal Program Donation program supporting care of animals at Carriage Hill Riding Center, Historical Farm, and Wildlife Ambassador animals through symbolic adoption contributions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of funding from property tax levies
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miami Conservancy DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-manages portions of the six regional bikeways and paved trail network with Miami Conservancy District. The district owns and operates various parts of the paved trail network throughout Montgomery County, working collaboratively with MetroParks on trail management and maintenance.
• Dorothy Lane MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDLM Good Neighbor program supporter - local grocery retailer participating in community partnership initiatives with Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program (#TH964) - local grocery chain partnership supporting Five Rivers MetroParks through community reward programs
• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal employee giving program (CFC #14501) allowing federal employees to contribute to Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation through workplace giving
• Decoding Nature/Decoding DaytonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Decoding Nature video series exploring history, conservation, and outdoor recreation in the Dayton region, including episodes on 1913 flood, Arthur Morgan's vision, habitat conservation, and regional trail development
• Adventure Cycling AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnection to Adventure Cycling Route Network through the nation's largest paved trail network, enabling bicycle tourism and adventure cycling routes through Miami Valley
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroParks CEO Karen Hesser serves on NRPA Maintenance Management School faculty as Regent Emeritus; organization holds CAPRA accreditation through NRPA; access to NRPA resources, best practices, and professional development networks

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Metroparks: Ohio metroparks district operating 18,000+ acres of reservations across Greater Cleveland with a similar voter-approved property tax funding model and comparable park district structure to Five Rivers MetroParks.
• East Bay Regional Park District: California regional park district operating 73 parks across 1.75 million residents with voter-approved funding, trail networks, and conservation focus comparable to Five Rivers' metroparks structure.
• Chicago Park District: Large municipal park district operating 600+ parks, trails, and cultural centers under property-tax-style public funding, with comparable free public access and programming scope.
• Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority: Michigan regional Metroparks system operating 13 parks across five counties with property tax funding and a portfolio of trails, nature centers, and educational programming — a structural peer in size and operating approach.
• Cincinnati Parks: Cincinnati's municipally funded park system offering free public park access across multiple sites with educational programming and event venues closely mirroring Five Rivers' operating model.
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: Bi-county Maryland parks agency managing parks, trails, conservation areas, and recreational facilities funded through property taxes with comparable scale and programming mix.
• Metro Parks (Columbus Recreation and Parks): Ohio municipal parks system serving the Columbus region with a similar blend of urban parks, trails, recreation facilities, and nature education programs operating under public funding.
• Nashville Metro Parks and Recreation: Tennessee metro parks system operating parks, nature centers, golf, and trails serving a similarly-sized urban population with a comparable tax-funded free-access model.
• Forest Preserves of Cook County: Large Illinois conservation district managing 70,000+ acres of forest preserves with property-tax funding, conservation programs, and visitor amenities that parallel Five Rivers' conservation-led park model.

Others

• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): National industry association for parks and recreation agencies; relevant as the umbrella body issuing CAPRA accreditation that Five Rivers holds and as the network through which the CEO maintains professional leadership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/metroparkstweet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/fiveriversmetroparks
• Facebookfacebook.com/fiveriversmetroparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/five-rivers-metroparks
• Instagraminstagram.com/metroparks
• TikToktiktok.com/@fiveriversmetroparks

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Five Rivers MetroParks