Opra Awards

WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICES

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL ARTS

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: BARBARA WILSON 759-7308, 304-4701 TWO WEST CHESTER PROJECTS RECEIVE AWARDS FROM STATE The Muhlhauser Barn at Beckett Park and The Square @ Union Centre were recognized this week by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. The two Township facilities were recipients of OPRA 2008 Awards of Excellence. “We are humbled by the recognition from OPRA and are grateful to all those who make projects such as these a reality,” said Township Administrator Judi Boyko. “The Square and The Barn represent who we are as a community and their success is validation of our efforts to work together with our residents and businesses to remain a great place to live, work and play.” Acknowledgement for seeing these projects through to completion goes to: The West Chester Board of Trustees, Township Administration and staff, as well project designers McGill Smith Punshon, Inc., corporate partners and private donors who all share in this success. The Muhlhauser Barn, awarded second place in facilities of $1 million to $5 million, is a reconstructed 1880s timber-frame barn that was once part of the Muhlhauser family farm. The Barn was donated to the Township by Ohio Casualty, was dismantled through contributions by the Muhlhauser family and was reconstructed at Beckett Park by West Chester Township. Reconstruction of the Barn was financed with taxes generated by private development in the Union Centre area. The integrity of the 1880 Barn is maintained with re-use of the actual timbers inside the structure and the original tile roof with the Muhlhauser name inscribed. The Barn is now available for rent for private functions and is used for community celebrations. The Square @ Union Centre made its debut this summer in the heart of the Union Centre Business District. The Square @ Union Centre was recognized with a third-place award for projects valued at $1 million to $5 million. The new downtown center for the community features the First Financial Clock Tower, fountains, green space and plenty of places to sit and relax. The Square is the site of a weeknight concert series during the summer months

and the Union Centre Boulevard Bash. The Township’s new library is being constructed adjacent to The Square to create a true civic center for the community. The Square @ Union Centre was built and is programmed through partnerships with area businesses and utilizing taxes generated by business development within the district.