Get to know your parks
MONTGOMERY PARK: The center of celebration
This is the third in our series reporting on the parks of Montgomery. In January we reported on the very active, most southern, Swaim Park with its popular playground, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball, lodge, gazebo, picnic pavilions and fishing ponds. Last month we introduced you to Weller Park in the north east corner of Montgomery. Weller is Montgomery's most active park for organized sports with league play on 3 soccer and 3 baseball fields. The 4 tennis courts and the large playground are as popular as the ones in Swaim Park.
This month we feature Montgomery Park, our most central park located at City Hall. Perhaps it is best known by the largest number of our citizens due to the location and the annual July 4th celebrations with the Blue Ash/Montgomery orchestra on July 3rd and the July 4th parade which ends with a party in the park. The landscape of Montgomery Park not only provides a natural amphitheater for the summer concert but a very popular sledding and snow boarding destination in the winter. New playground equipment was recently installed for kids ages 5 to 12. This equipment focuses on building strength, coordination and agility for this age group. This equipment and existing play equipment is ADA accessible, unique in our area with signs in braille, a platform sand digger and a swing set that relies on upper arm strength.
T-ball has been played on the baseball field for over 35 years and it is the field of choice by the Montgomery Baseball Association for their annual All-Star game. A picnic shelter can be reserved for family gatherings and the nearby basketball court has been resurfaced and painted for half count or full court play. In addition, netting has has been installed to keep balls from rolling down the hillside. Spring time brings the Easter egg hunt and summer day camp takes place in the park with science and nature activities using the stream and the back woods area provides a setting for scavenger hunts and regular play. The Annex building 
is the location for fitness classes which are offered weekly as well as other programs such as Karate, tiny tots Imaginantics and cooking classes. Scheduled programs are listed in the Recreation section of this monthly bulletin.
As with all of Montgomery parks, commemorative trees and benches are located throughout the park, provided by citizens who wish to remember and honor a friend or loved one. The Park Study that was completed in 2008 outlines plans to make the park restrooms all season and expand the walkway and add utilities to facilitate current special events and provide for greater use of the landscape offered. So after you visit Swaim Park and you are on your way to Weller Park, or the reverse, stop by City Hall and request a copy of our new publication MONTGOMERY LIGHT, Your Community Resource Guide and then take a stroll around the Montgomery Park. You'll enjoy your visit and be almost halfway on your journey to find the park or two that best suites your lifestyle. Next month we will feature the very peaceful and popular Pioneer Park.