The City of Dayton is making a significant investment in its parks, with multiple improvement projects now underway across the community.
Chris Jarmon, director of economic development for the City of Dayton, said the effort reflects a priority shared by both the Dayton Economic Development Corporation and the Dayton City Council to improve public spaces and address concerns raised by residents.
One of the first projects focuses on Henderson Day Family Memorial Park on Luke Street.
“We’re putting in new lighting at Henderson Park,” Jarmon said. “What I’ve been hearing from residents is that there was a safety concern.”
The project will light the parking lot from Luke Street to the back of the cul-de-sac and add lighting around the basketball court. Jarmon said the goal is to make the park safer and more accessible, especially during evening hours.
City officials are also reviewing park hours and rules, but Jarmon said the immediate focus is on safety.
Henderson Park serves a wide range of residents, including those with special needs. The lighting project is expected to cost about $70,000 and is being funded by the Dayton Economic Development Corporation with approval from the city council.
At Sawmill Park on Sawmill Road, a larger project is underway to support the growing demand for youth sports.
“What we’re going to do there is light up five sports fields,” Jarmon said. “They can be used for soccer, but also other sports. It doesn’t have to be exclusively for soccer.”
According to Jarmon, Sawmill Park has become a hub for local leagues, including the New Generations Soccer League, while the Dayton Youth Sports Association also uses the fields for football. Jarmon said the city wants to ensure the improvements benefit all organizations fairly.
The new lighting system will include both timers and manual controls, allowing flexibility for practices, games, and tournaments.
“We can put them on timers, but we can also override that if we need it for particular events,” Jarmon said.
The Sawmill Park project is budgeted at $370,000. Jarmon said the investment is overdue, noting the park has received less funding in the past compared to others in the city.
“With the growth of soccer in the community, the board wanted to get behind the sport and show support,” he said.
Improvements are also coming to Parker Park on N. Winfree St., where some playground equipment will be replaced and updated. The project is expected to cost about $34,000, with installation planned for May. New wood fiber will also be added around the play structures.
Lighting projects are currently underway through a contract with National LED, which is installing energy-efficient systems at the parks.
Additional improvements are planned for Sawmill Park, including new signage. That project is expected to cost about $13,000 and will be funded separately through the Dayton Economic Development Corporation.
In total, the city is investing approximately $470,000 in park improvements, with additional funding planned for signage.
Jarmon said the focus on parks has been clear since he arrived in Dayton in August 2025.
“One of the first things the DEDC board told me is they wanted to do something at the parks,” he said. “That was a priority.”
He said residents can expect to see continued improvements in the future.
“This is really just the beginning,” Jarmon said. “We plan to continue investing in our parks as we move into the next fiscal year.”