Eighty years ago during World War II stood a building and a piece of land owned by the United States government known as the Voice of America Bethany Relay Station. It was here that voices of truth were transmitted by shortwave radio and heard across the world. While families secretly listened to these radio messages broadcast by what Adolf Hitler would dub “the Cincinnati Liars”, all that was heard back at the Bethany Relay Station was the loud hum of the large broadcasting towers, the noises of a few employees working at the facility and farm animals off in the distance. The Voice of America broadcast once played a vital role in worldwide communication and was so important that it was equipped with a direct line to the President at the White House. Years passed, and technology became more advanced with the development of satellites. Eventually, use of the Bethany Relay Station was no longer needed and it faded into history.

For nearly 50 years, no one was permitted on the 600 acres surrounding the Bethany Relay Station without permission. In 1994, the facility was decommissioned and the large radio towers and an array of antenna structures were brought down. The property was split into different parcels that became the Voice of America Shopping Center, the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center and Voice of America MetroPark.

Fast forward to 2024 and the “Voices of America” can certainly still be heard at Voice of America MetroPark (VOA). The 435-acre suburban park is much different than other parks within the MetroParks of Butler County system, and is one of the busiest parks in the Greater Cincinnati area.  Where there was once open farmland, the property is now surrounded by retail shopping, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and homes. VOA is like its own little island among all the suburban activity surrounding it. It serves as a place where visitors can come and enjoy time away from their busy schedules to take a walk, ride a bike, go fishing, have a picnic, or just sit on a park bench doing nothing at all. 

I’m often asked, “What’s going on at VOA?”  Truthfully, there’s a different answer every time I’m asked, but I always say we’re hosting a party every weekend. From the middle of February 2024 to the end of November 2024, only two weekends have no scheduled events. Those two weekends were held for large event set-up, though! Voice of America MetroParks is full of the hum and buzz of life happening all around it. You may hear the song of an artist and the roar of the crowd at the Voices of America Country Music Concert, or fireworks going off during the Fourth of July Taps, Taste and Tunes event, both held at the original broadcast facility what is now the Voice of America Museum. You may hear spectators cheering and whistles blowing as teams battle it out on one of our 30 fields at the Voice of America MetroPark Athletic Complex. The rumbling sound of footsteps at a 5K or charity walk, or as cross-country runners start a race at the sound of the gun. You may hear water splashing as triathletes swim across the 35-acre lake or the sound of kids sledding on Chill Hill during a snow day. 

No matter what event might be happening, VOA still has nature and animals to observe in the quietest of moments. Listen to the sounds of nighttime insects and the birds that awake in song as the morning sun rises. Visit the park and hear the screeching calls of a hawk or bald eagle flying by, or the hoot of an owl in the darkness of the night. Check out the picture below of the owl I spied at VOA while I was in the park.

If you sit long enough and just take a minute to listen, VOA is still sending a clear message. It’s a message of our freedom and ability we have to enjoy all VOA has to offer. The thousands of voices that come from the guests who travel to VOA from across the nation each year can be heard enjoying this great MetroPark. It’s in the sounds of cheering, laughter and conversation that memories are being made. Though it may not be broadcast by radio, it’s through these experiences that the park’s stories will be retold in to the future. So come listen for yourself and visit Voice of America MetroPark. There’s a bench waiting just for you!

About the Author:

Troy Simpson is Voice of America MetroParks’ Senior Park Manager.