A four-agency deal to fix severe erosion along Dicks Creek in Monroe will clear the way for a new stretch of the Great Miami River Trail, bringing the 86-mile paved route one step closer to closing its remaining gaps in Butler County. The project also advances a broader regional trail network of more than 350 miles that connects communities across southwest Ohio, including Liberty Township.
MetroParks of Butler County announced Wednesday, July 9, that it has formalized the partnership with the Miami Conservancy District, the Monroe Area Community Improvement Corporation, and the City of Monroe. Together, the parties have committed between $672,500 and $822,500 to stabilize roughly 800 linear feet of the creek, depending on final MetroParks contributions.
"MetroParks saw an opportunity to bring the right partners together and finally move this project forward after years of challenges," said Jackie O'Connell, executive director of MetroParks of Butler County. She credited the Butler County Commissioners' investment of American Rescue Plan Act funding for making the agreement possible.
Who's paying what
Under the agreement, MetroParks will contribute between $375,000 and $525,000 in ARPA dollars originally awarded by the Butler County Commissioners. The Miami Conservancy District will put in $225,000 and donate approximately 33.6 acres of land to the City of Monroe. Monroe will cover up to $72,500 for project administration and inspection.
All funds will flow through a dedicated account managed by the Monroe Area Community Improvement Corporation, which will also serve as the contracting entity for the work.
Why it matters locally
The Great Miami River Trail is planned to run approximately 86 miles from Piqua to Fairfield. MetroParks currently manages about 10 miles of the trail in Middletown and Fairfield Township and has secured $3.8 million in ARPA and OKI funding to close 4.5 miles of remaining gaps in Fairfield, Liberty, and Lemon townships. That work, planned for 2026 through 2030, includes a 3.1-mile segment in the Lemon-Liberty-Fairfield Township corridor that directly affects trail access for residents who use Voice of America MetroPark.
Once the Dicks Creek banks are stabilized, Monroe can build its own trail segment, closing one of the remaining gaps in Butler County's portion of the network.
Environmental and infrastructure benefits
The erosion along Dicks Creek has threatened adjacent land, dumped sediment into the waterway, degraded aquatic habitat, and complicated plans for public infrastructure in the corridor, according to MetroParks.
Gary Morton, Monroe's public works director, said the project also creates conditions needed to begin repairs at Bicentennial Commons, a city park along the creek corridor, so the space can safely reopen.
Larry Lester, Monroe's city manager, called the agreement a step toward "a real solution" for a long-standing challenge.
After construction, Monroe will take ownership and long-term maintenance of both the creek stabilization improvements and the trail infrastructure.
What's next
No construction start date has been announced. MetroParks said the stabilization must be completed before Monroe can begin trail construction. Residents can follow project updates at yourmetroparks.net.
