Park Amenities
RecPlex
The Anderson Parks RecPlex is home to the park district’s Recreation Department. The facility features a gym, patio and classroom space for many of the APD’s year-round, indoor activities including summer camps, adult and youth sports leagues, programs and special events.
The RecPlex offers reservable spaces to host practices, parties, meetings and more!
Athletic Fields
Beech Acres Park offers two competition level ball diamonds with grass infields.
In the fall, the park offers up to five soccer fields of varying sizes within the outfields of the park’s ball diamonds.
Playground and Water Play
Water Play operating hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Scheduled to be turned on by Memorial Day Weekend and turned off after Labor Day weekend.
This playground is like no other playground in the park district, with a stimulating layout that encourages both active and imaginative play. The most important aspect of the playground’s design is its level of accessibility. Each section features play opportunities for children of varying physical abilities.
Playground Features
Ages 0-5: Tot-lot complete with a train and train station, swings, sand play area, mini-mountain, playhouse, arched bridge, walking paths, shaded pergolas and unique surfacing tie together the river and village them
Ages 2-5: Slides, rock climbing component, bridge, and bongos
Ages 5-12: Sasquatch-tall climbing boulders and a massive, fort-like play unit
All Ages: Riverboat Shelter, Water Play area and Sway-Fun
Funding the playground
Financial assistance has been provided by:
- – The H.G., H.F. & L.T. Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Stan Koller, Co-Trustees in the amount of $100,000.
- The Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation contributed $200,000 to the Anderson Park District for the construction of the inclusive playground.
- Funds have also been raised from the Jack McClure Memorial Fund, the yearly Run to Remember 5K, the annual Greater Anderson Days celebration, and numerous contributions.
- A section of the playground was built in memory of Marcus Fiesel due to the outpouring of requests from residents for a tangible memorial within our community. WLWT- TV Channel 5, Darryl Parks & 700 WLW- The Big One, with Jim Scott leading the charge, organized a fundraiser in the name of Marcus Fiesel, which raised a combined $77,945. This included donations from over 1,100 businesses and individuals around the greater Cincinnati area.
- In addition to monetary donations, the Starbucks “Make your Mark” initiative helped with the opening of phase two of the playground. Starbucks employees and patrons contributed 120 hours of work landscaping and cleaning the playground in order to get it ready for the June 23rd 2007 grand opening.
- The Anderson Township Trustees contributed $50,000 to Beech Acres Park for necessary infrastructure improvements that make Anderson more “Active-Friendly”.
Shelter #1
Located on the south portion of the oval path, this large, circular shelter is the ideal spot for outdoor gatherings.
Features:
- Seats 68 (plus 4 ADA accessible spots)
- 12 hexagonal picnic tables (including 4 ADA accessible tables)
- Electric
- Shelter lights
- Shelter does not have a grill
Shelter #2
Better known as “Belle of the Beech”, this shelter is located next to the water play area in the Beech Acres Park All-Children’s Playground. Shaped like a riverboat, this shelter is perfect for birthday parties and special gatherings.
Features:
- Seats 32 (plus 2 ADA accessible spots)
- 6 hexagonal picnic tables (including 2 ADA tables)
- Electric
- Shelter lights
- For safety reasons, grills are not permitted
Hike/Bike Trail
1.27 miles of paved trail. Travel in and around the entire park by foot, bike, or rollerblade on this paved path that allows easy access to all areas of the park. Dogs are permitted on the trail and must be on a 6′ leash at all times.
Skatepark
The 12,000 square foot Skatepark is made of reinforced concrete consisting of a bowl design for what is known as vert skating with “streetscape” elements to accommodate the dual preferences of skaters. The Skatepark is designed for use by skateboarders, rollerbladers and bmx bikers and is open during the park’s operating hours (dawn to dusk). Use of the Skatepark is free.
Within the 12,000 square foot concrete park is a Fun Box, an 8′ deep bowl that transitions from a 5′ half-pipe, and a multitude of ramps, stairs, and edges.
Basketball Court
This full-size court a backboard at both ends is perfect for a pick-up game of hoops with family and friends! It is located on the southeast portion of the park near the Skatepark.
The court is available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain an “exclusive use” permit for this court, call (513) 474-0003.
Volleyball Courts
Located on the south side of the park near the basketball court, this volleyball area offers the perfect opportunity for a pick-up game in the sand.
Serve, set, and spike on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain an “exclusive use” permit, call (513) 474-0003.
Amphitheater
This venue provides the musical focal point for a variety of other park district programs and events such as Concerts in the Park and Greater Anderson Days. Patrons are invited to bring their own seating, or to take advantage of the two rows of concrete bench seating and a handful of picnic tables sprinkled throughout the area.
The amphitheater is available for rental.
Firefighters Memorial
The focal point of the Memorial is a seven foot tall bronze statue of a firefighter in full gear cradling a child. Standing tall in front of three flagpoles, this statue pays tribute to those who have served the Department, and honors the firefighters who died in the line of duty (or from a duty-related injury or illness) since the Anderson fire department was formed in 1941.
GAPP Peace Pole Garden
Inscribed on six stone monoliths surrounding a smooth 9-ft. granite pole, Greater Anderson Promotes Peace (GAPP) Garden includes 12 different translations of “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. The surrounding landscape makes creative use of simple elements, yielding a fresh and functional space that serves as a symbol of Anderson’s commitment to celebrating diversity.
