Five Rivers MetroParks is a regional public park system consisting of conservatories and outdoor recreation and education facilities that serve the Dayton metropolitan area. The name Five Rivers MetroParks comes from five major waterways that converge in Dayton. These waterways are the Great Miami River, Mad River, Stillwater River, Wolf Creek, and Twin Creek. Five Rivers MetroParks comprises more than and 25 facilities with a number of amenities and features. These include hiking trails, a mountain bike area (MoMBA) at Huffman MetroPark, horse bridle trails, a disc golf course, a whitewater feature at Eastwood MetroPark, and a large butterfly house at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Five Rivers MetroParks provides year-round recreation, education and conservation opportunities to the Greater Dayton community.
The fountain at RiverScape Metropark shoots of water per minute toward the center of the river. The central geyser of the fountain rises from the jets 200 ft (60 m) in the air. Covering 395,000 square feet (36,700 square meters) across an 800 ft (244 m) diameter, the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights is one of the largest fountains in the world.
Five Rivers MetroParks also operates the 2nd Street Market, a public market located on East Second Street near downtown Dayton. More than 200,000 people visit the market year-round. Local merchants sell produce, flowers, baked goods, as well as homemade food and craft items. Entertainment includes local musicians, singers and dancers.
Metropark facilities
The Metropark's 19 facilities are:
Aullwood Garden MetroPark, Englewood
Carriage Hill MetroPark, Huber Heights
Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark, Dayton
Deeds Point MetroPark, Dayton
Eastwood MetroPark, Dayton
Englewood MetroPark, Englewood
Germantown MetroPark, Germantown
Hills & Dales MetroPark, Kettering
Huffman MetroPark, Fairborn
Island MetroPark, Dayton
Possum Creek MetroPark, Dayton
RiverScape MetroPark, Dayton
2nd Street Market, Dayton
Sugarcreek MetroPark, Sugarcreek Township
Sunrise MetroPark, Dayton
Taylorsville MetroPark, Vandalia
Twin Creek MetroPark, Germantown
Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Dayton
Wesleyan MetroPark, Dayton
The Metropark's 8 conservation area's include:
Dull Woods Conservation Area
Medlar Conservation Area (added December 2010) Needmore Conservation Area Pigeye Conservation Area Sandridge Prairie Conservation Area Shiloh Woods Conservation Area Twin Valley Conservation Area Woodman Fen Conservation Area