Voice of America Metro Park Lake Loop

Voice of America MetroPark is a 435-acre year-round outdoor destination in West Chester Township, Ohio — about 25 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati. Anchored by a 35-acre stocked lake and crisscrossed by paved and natural trails, it's one of the most popular parks in the Butler County MetroParks system, offering everything from lakeside walking loops and paddle sports to dog park time, cricket, and family picnics.

The park is named for the historic Voice of America Bethany Relay Station that once operated here — a Cold War-era shortwave radio broadcasting facility that transmitted VOA programming to Europe from 1944 to 1994. Today, the site's transformation into a public park honors that legacy with an interpretive area.

The Trails

• Voice of America MetroPark Lake Trail — the signature loop
  • Distance: 1.5-mile paved loop around the lake
  • Difficulty: Easy (flat, paved, stroller-friendly, ADA-accessible)
  • Best for: Walking, jogging, family strolls, wheelchairs
• Additional natural surface trails wind through open meadows and prairie areas for those wanting a longer or dirt-path outing

What You Can Do Here

• Lake Recreation — the 35-acre stocked lake supports:
  • Row boating and pedal boating (rentals available seasonally)
  • Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (bring your own — no gas motors)
  • Fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and stocked trout (permit required — see below)
• Wiggly Field Dog Park — Butler County's premier off-leash dog park with separate small/large dog areas
• Playground — the county's largest MetroParks playground for kids
• Cricket Field — a full-size cricket ground that hosts local and regional matches, reflecting West Chester's vibrant South Asian community
• Athletic Complex — multi-purpose fields for soccer, lacrosse, and other sports
• Picnicking — reservable gazebo with picnic tables, grills, and open lawn areas
• Birdwatching — grassland habitats support meadowlarks, bluebirds, and migrating songbirds

Fees & Permits

• Park entry: FREE — no admission or parking fees
• Fishing: Requires a MetroParks Fishing Permit AND an Ohio state fishing license
  • MetroParks Permits are typically free for Butler County residents and low-cost for non-residents
  • Ohio state licenses can be purchased online at wildohio.gov — around $25/year for residents
  • Permits available at MetroParks offices or online at yourmetroparks.net
• Boat rentals: Seasonal fee at the boathouse — cash or card

Hours

• Open dawn to dusk daily, year-round (typical Butler County MetroParks hours)
• Boat rentals and boathouse: Seasonal (typically May through Labor Day weekend, weekend hours in shoulder seasons)
• Playground and trails: Accessible year-round

Location & Directions

• Address: 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township, OH 45069
• From Cincinnati: ~25 min north via I-75 → Exit 21 (Tylersville Rd) → follow signs
• From Dayton: ~30 min south via I-75
• From Columbus: ~1.5 hours via I-71 S

Parking

• Multiple free lots throughout the park — one main lot near the boathouse and beach area, others near the athletic fields, playground, and dog park
• Fills on summer weekends and during cricket tournaments — arrive earlier if visiting a specific area

Amenities

• Restrooms: Available at multiple locations (main visitor area, playground, dog park)
• Drinking water: Fountains near restrooms and playground
• Picnic tables and grills: Throughout the park
• Gazebo: Reservable for groups
• Trash and recycling: On-site
• Cell service: Good throughout the park

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (April–May): Wildflowers in the meadow areas, active bird migration, mild temps
• Summer (June–August): Prime season — boat rentals open, active social scene, family-friendly. Weekends busy.
• Fall (September–October): Excellent — cooler weather, fall color in the wooded sections, quieter than summer
• Winter (November–March): Quiet, contemplative. Trails remain open. No boat rentals.

What to Bring

• Water — always
• Sun protection — the park is mostly open with limited shade on the main lake loop
• Bug spray — mosquitoes near the water in summer
• Fishing gear + valid permits if you're planning to fish
• Your own kayak or SUP if you want to paddle without renting
• A picnic + charcoal for the grills
• Leash for your dog on the main trails (off-leash only in Wiggly Field)

Who It's Best For

• Families — the playground, easy trails, boat rentals, and picnic spots are ideal for a full family day
• Casual walkers and joggers — the 1.5-mile paved lake loop is perfect for daily exercise
• Anglers — a well-stocked, accessible urban fishing lake
• Dog owners — Wiggly Field is a top-rated off-leash park
• Paddlers — a calm, no-motor lake for beginners and casual paddlers
• Cricket fans and players — one of the region's premier cricket venues
• Cyclists — smooth paved paths for a low-effort ride

Nearby Stops

Make it a full-day outing by combining VOA with:

• Beckett Ridge / Union Centre — restaurants, shops just minutes away
• Sharon Woods (Great Parks of Hamilton County) — another large lake and trail system
• The Beach Waterpark (seasonal) — nearby summer waterpark
• Downtown Cincinnati (~25 min south) — Findlay Market, riverfront, museum options
• Kings Island (~30 min northeast) — regional amusement park

A Note on the Park's History

Voice of America MetroPark occupies land that from 1944 to 1994 housed the Bethany Relay Station — a massive shortwave radio broadcasting facility that beamed Voice of America programming across the Atlantic to Europe during and after WWII and throughout the Cold War. The site's antenna towers dominated the local skyline for decades. Today, an on-site National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting (adjacent to the park) preserves the history for visitors interested in Cold War-era communications and broadcasting.

If you're intrigued by the history, the museum is a worthwhile 30-45 minute stop before or after your park visit.

Why It's Worth the Trip

For anyone in the Cincinnati / Dayton area looking for a genuinely well-rounded outdoor destination — with something for hikers, paddlers, anglers, families, cricket players, and dog owners — Voice of America MetroPark delivers more variety in one place than nearly any other park in southwestern Ohio. Best of all, entry is free, the amenities are excellent, and you're only 25 minutes from downtown Cincinnati.