When I first moved to Butler County in the early 1980’s I would drive down I-75 and notice the tall broadcasting towers of the Bethany Relay Station of Voice of America (VOA) Broadcasting, never dreaming I would one day work for MetroParks of Butler County at Voice of America MetroPark. I hope you enjoy a brief overview of the history of this interesting place.
Let’s go back to its beginning. In 1942, a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Crosley Corporation of Cincinnati was commissioned by the federal government to engineer a radio communications system powerful enough to reach a global audience.
By 1944, the first Voice of America radio station capable of reaching a world-wide audience opened in West Chester Township, Ohio (then Union Township) and became known as Bethany Relay Station. The station kept broadcasting long after the war and was finally decommissioned on November 11, 1995. Through the Federal Lands to Parks Program, the Voice of America Bethany Station building was given to the care of West Chester Township for historic preservation purposes and the 640 acres were divided as such:
• The building and 22 associated acres – West Chester Township for historic preservation (now The National VOA Museum of Broadcasting)
• 320 acres – West Chester Township for park use
• 200 acres – Butler County MetroParks (now MetroParks of Butler County) for park use
• 20 acres – Miami University for an educational center
• 75 acres – Sold by the federal government to pay for dismantling the 24 antennae array, etc. That parcel’s now the VOA Retail Center.
The deed for MetroParks’ 200 acres was finalized in February 2000 and specified that the property must remain for a public park and recreational use in perpetuity. The original name for the MetroPark was Freedom’s Voice Reserve since West Chester had already named their section Voice of America Park. After a lengthy development phase that explored using the area for a golf course, the current 30-acre VOA Lake was created in 2002 by connecting three existing small ponds. The excavated dirt was used to create the 65-foot-high sledding feature known as Chill Hill. A parking lot with entry off Hamilton-Mason Road (now Liberty Way) gave access to the picnic area and perimeter trail around the property.
During the Phase I construction period the park was closed to the public and reopened in July 2004. MetroParks officially dedicated their portion named Ronald Reagan Voice of Freedom Park on October 5, 2004. The name was chosen to honor our 40th President who had died earlier that year. Catch-and-release fishing was allowed around VOA Lake beginning in 2005. Phase II construction began in 2005 and included the Ronald Reagan Lodge. The ribbon cutting for the new indoor facility was held on July 13, 2006. The Boathouse Retail area located across from the Lodge also opened and included a shop with fishing paraphernalia and gifts. Visitors could also find food at a snack bar open during weekends and special events. In 2008 the park more than doubled in size when 257 acres were transferred from West Chester Township to MetroParks and the expanded park was renamed Voice of America MetroPark.
There have been many new additions and multiple changes to the park over the years since. Playgrounds were added in 2011 and 2014 then resurfaced in 2023. The original Boathouse Retail shop was converted to a meeting room and Welcome Center in 2013. The Athletic Complex began with 9 ball diamonds, then shifted to 22 grass multi-purpose fields in 2008, expanding to 25 fields by 2022 including the 2 artificial turf fields completed in 2015. Construction for the UC Fieldhouse began in 2017 and was completed in 2018. Wiggly Field dog park has been upgraded over the years with improved fencing, a drainage system and a water fountain. VOA Lake was expanded in 2009 by a little more than an acre and the excavated dirt was added to Chill Hill to create a steeper slope at the top. The lake is stocked with game fish each spring for fishing enthusiasts to enjoy. An adaptive kayak launch was added to the lake in 2021 and a self-service kayak rental locker in 2023. There have also been a wide variety of events at the park, from concerts to athletic tournaments, 5K runs, triathlons and cross country meets.
Voice of America MetroPark continues to serve Butler County and the surrounding area with a quality indoor event venue, exceptional outdoor trails, outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities, and a top-notch athletic complex. The park’s come a long way in the 20th century: from radio towers that served both our country and the world to a bright future fulfilling the mission of MetroParks of Butler County to improve the community’s quality of life through conservation, education, and recreation.
P.S. I strongly recommend a visit to the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting to learn more about the history of the Bethany Relay Station, open on weekend afternoons.
About the Author:
Nancy is a Visitor and Event Services Technician with MetroParks of Butler County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Environments from Allegheny College and a Masters in Environmental Science from IES at Miami University. Nancy was Naturalist for Bull’s Run Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum in Middletown for 5 years, then 5 years as a full-time mom to 2 toddlers before working at Sunshine Preschool in Middletown for 26 years, first as a teacher and finishing as the director. Nancy began working for MetroParks in 2019 and has been a volunteer as well for Living Like a Pioneer field trips, Pioneer Life and Fun on the Farm special events, and Show and Tell on the Farm programs at Chrisholm. She continues to share her love of nature and crafts in so many ways.
Contact Nancy at: nclark@yourmetroparks.net.
