Grants & Development

The Washington Township RecPlex was awarded two grants totaling $1,339,289 through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund for the rehabilitation of Turtle and Heron Pond portion at Countryside Park. These grants funded approximately 75% of the project costs, supporting efforts to restore water quality, improve aquatic habitats, and enhance recreational opportunities for the community. In addition, the Noon Optimist Club committed $20,000 toward the installation of a fishing pier/boardwalk on Turtle Pond.
Years of uncontrolled stormwater runoff caused significant sediment buildup in Turtle Pond and severe erosion in the channel connecting Turtle & Heron Ponds.  The conditions negatively impacted water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and public access.  The Countryside Park Master Plan addressed these challenges by restoring both ponds, reducing future sedimentation and erosion, and improving accessibility and recreational use for visitors of all ages and abilities.
 Project improvements included dredging, sediment and erosion control measures, streambank stabilization, wetland restoration, bridge replacement and enhanced public access. Key accomplishments included:
• The creation of one half-acre of natural wetlands.
• Constructed of accessible fishing platforms
• Reduction of invasive aquatic plant species while improving the habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
• Installation of a new pedestrian bridge over Heron Pond.

This project was successfully completed in July 2026, with the installation of educational signs serving as the final phase.  This achievement was made possible through the generous support of the Ohio Public Works Commission, whose grant funding helped bring the vision to life. Their involvement and interest in our project and willingness to work with us to achieve our goals while meeting the needs of this grant program ensured that the project exceeded everyone’s expectations. Today, the revitalized Turtle and Heron Ponds provide improved fishing, wildlife habitat, and public access while restoring the natural beauty of these long-valued community resources.  The project demonstrates how strategic conservation and recreation investments can create lasting environmental and community benefits for generations to come.

Please visit the Countryside Park Master Plan page for more information about projects and grant funding.

Washington Township RecPlex is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $230,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the full replacement of six rooftop HVAC units at the Joyce Young Center.  Funding for this project was provided through an accelerated funding cycle coordinated by the Montgomery County Community and Economic Development Department.
The existing HVAC units at the Joyce Young Center are nearing or have exceeded their expected service life and have become increasingly unreliable as identified by the department’s preventive maintenance contractor.   These HVAC units support the facility’s primary social, educational, and exercise spaces, which serve hundreds of seniors each week.  
Installation of modern, energy-efficient HVAC systems will help maintain safe and consistent indoor temperatures, support uninterrupted programming, and enhance the overall health, safety, and well-being of the senior community year-round.
The total estimated cost for this project is $250,000.  Through the awarded grant, CDBG funding will cover $230,000 of the total project, with the Township contributing the remaining $20,000, which has already been budgeted for in the FY2026 Budget.

Renovations for Town Hall included replacement of seating, refurbishing floors and carpeting, and replacing stage draperies, curtains, etc. It also included installation of a wheelchair lift to provide full access to the stage and upgraded handicapped seating. These improvements enhanced our abilities to expand programming options at the venue, including senior enrichment programs, community events, and rentals, in addition to our core youth theatre programming.

Centerville Noon Optimist Club Donation
To replace the theatre's seats, the Township launched a fundraising campaign to cover much of the cost of the renovation. Seat naming rights were available for any business, club, or individual who wanted to do their part to preserve this piece of local history. The Centerville Noon Optimist Club provided a $20,000 donation toward the renovation. With this donation, the first two rows of seats in the auditorium are named in honor of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club as generations of young people continue to enjoy and benefit from the arts in our community for years to come.

Centerville-Washington Foundation Grant
Town Hall also received a $3,000 grant from the Centerville-Washington Foundation to help fund renovations in the Town Hall auditorium. This grant was combined with $6,500 in private donations and a generous $86,445 Community Block grant.

A dual port electric vehicle charging station at the Washington Township RecPlex was made possible with a $15,000 grant from the Ohio EPA. The two ports are in the RecPlex East parking lot, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road.

Although not a super-fast charging station, each port charges at a maximum rate of 25 RPH (miles of range per hour), and the cost is $1/hour to partially offset the operational cost. There are several payment options including a ChargePoint mobile app synced to an account; credit and debit cards; and Apple and Android Pay. Directions and a toll-free number are clearly displayed at the station.