West Chester, OH

This township of nearly 56,000 residents can attribute much of its growth to the construction of Interstate 75 in the early 1950s, which made West Chester easily accessible to large neighboring communities such as Dayton and Cincinnati. Since then, the economic growth of West Chester has been steady. Of the city's 22,000 acres, 72 percent is zoned for residential property, while only 23 percent is used for industrial purposes. A highly educated community, the city also prides itself on its exceptional public school system. The percentage of adults with a college education in West Chester is almost 30 percent above the national average among all U.S. cities. West Chester was ranked as one of the 100 Best Places to Live by Money magazine in 2005.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Some of West Chester's notable residential neighborhoods include:

• Olde West Chester: This newer suburban community contains mostly single-family homes with three to four bedrooms. There are some row houses and apartment buildings throughout. This quiet neighborhood has a wide range of age groups.
• Pisgah: This quiet, established community consists of midsize, single-family homes occupied mainly by families with children.
• Cincinnati Columbus Road/Butler Warren Road: These medium-sized, single-family houses are mostly owned by families with children. The neighborhood was built in from 1970 to 1994 and remains a quiet area.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

West Chester offers organizations that enrich the culture of both the participant and the audience:

• West Chester Symphony, founded in 1997, is the community orchestra. The orchestra plays at community-wide events such as the opening of the Keehner Park Amphitheater.
• Children's Performing Arts of Lakota offers children the opportunity to take drama and music lessons and to perform for the community.

FOR VISITORS

The Square at Union Centre: An outdoor gathering place for events and family entertainment, the Square has been known to host everything from large political gatherings to a local outdoor concert series. The Square is also the site of the community farmers market.

Brookside Union Township Cemetery: This cemetery covers 12 acres of land. It was started in the 1800s as a family cemetery by James Cummins but became a community cemetery when Cummins began selling off plots of land to local families. Important historical notes about the cemetery include:

• The "chapel" on the land was built in the late 1870s and was used for funerals during times of bad weather.
• The second flagpole was installed to commemorate seven unknown soldiers from World War I. Memorial Day celebrations in West Chester take place at this spot every year.
• The cemetery has a "Potters Field" that was designated for families that could not afford to bury their loved one's body.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

West Chester is predominantly a white-collar town. More than 86% of the community's population is in a sales, office, or management job.

COMMUNITIES

RASKALS: Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors began in West Chester in 1996 and has since expanded into neighboring Mason, Ohio. Volunteers spend Saturday afternoons helping area senior citizens with jobs around the house. The only requirement to become a volunteer is to be more than ten years old.

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty: This nonprofit organization is designed to improve the quality of life of residents of West Chester and Liberty Township. The organization receives funding through donation and charitable events.

Reach Out Lakota: This nonprofit organization provides qualifying families with clothing, food, personal care products, household products, and other necessities, helping area residents who need an extra boost. More than 18,000 pounds of food and 1,000 articles of clothing are given away each month.

Lakota Optimist Club: Designed to recognize the area's youth and support them through activities and financial support, the organization provides opportunities for self-growth and service to the community.

West Chester Connections: This community initiative is working to develop walking/biking paths that join neighborhoods, parks, and businesses.

FAMILY FUN

The community offers many areas to enjoy and appreciate West Chester's beautiful land along the Ohio River:

• Beckett Park, 150 acres in the middle of the Union Centre business district. The park is home to the West Chester Baseball Complex, a state-of-the-art facility that has a press box, dugouts, and a concession stand. The park also offers walking trails and a restored barn that is available for rent for special events.
• Keehner Park, 123 acres of property set on Mill Creek. Athletic fields, playground equipment, picnic shelters, and a bike trail make Keehner a destination for the whole family. A newly built amphitheater presents musical and theatrical performances to the community.
• Station Road Schoolhouse, a renovated 1900s schoolhouse that sits on three acres of land, is available for community and family events.
• Upper Mill Creek Conservation Corridor, a wetland park complete with a three-mile paved path that accommodates walkers, joggers, cyclists, and roller-bladers. The wetland is a site to enjoy bird watching and nature exploration.