Existing Plans

City of Monroe Comprehensive Housing Study

The City of Monroe completed a comprehensive housing study in 2018, with assistance from the University of Cincinnati Economics Center, that was adopted in February of 2019. This study was to provide community leaders, stakeholders, and community members with an analysis of the City to help guide public policy and drive development of residential housing. This report presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of housing growth within Monroe and a look into the socioeconomic conditions that might influence trends within the City and surrounding areas in the coming years.

Sample communities were used to compare trends that Monroe was experiencing. These sample communities are Hamilton City, Lebanon, Mason, Middletown, Springboro, Trenton, and West Chester. The sample communities were based on two primary criteria categories and how well they satisfied them. One of the criteria was that the socioeconomic, demographic, employment, and/or housing profiles are similar to Monroe’s and the second criteria was that the sample community had to be within a 30-minute drive of Monroe. This suggests that residents of the sample communities might work in other areas than which they live, replicating similarities to Monroe residents traveling to other communities for work as well.

The document provides in-depth analysis of the community over time and for the future, and outlines opportunities and challenges facing the City. Data was collected from multiple sources including Census data and estimates, City departments and county auditors in both Butler and Warren counties. Key takeaways are also addressed from all synthesized information and identified and discusses different growth strategies for Monroe.

City of Monroe Comprehensive Housing Study

Park Master Plans

Monroe has many existing and future plans for park facilities. Throughout a series of documents, Monroe has been developing master plans for the existing parks to explore opportunities for development and address the needs and concerns of residents in Monroe.

Baker Park

This project started following the completion of the Monroe Parks and Recreation Master Plan in April 2016. During the public input of that project, Monroe residents supported more improvements for existing parks including Baker Park. Baker Park, located north of the downtown along Cincinnati Dayton Road near the railroads, was supposed to be used for recreational purposes, specifically sports fields, but its location in a floodplain makes this an unsuitable site for development. Instead, recommendations for the park include a dog park, trails, nature restoration, a nature playground, community gardens, a disc golf course, and improvements to the entrance road and parking, as well as utilities such as water and electric services be provided. Additional features to address later after the master plan is complete include signage at the entrance and for wayfinding, picnic shelters and restrooms to encourage visitors to stay longer.

Monroe Bicentennial Commons

A future planned park that is currently under construction, Monroe Bicentennial Commons is located at the old LeSourdsville Amusement Park site along the east side of the Great Miami River. During the planning and development process, public input was collected to help guide the plan. The most common comment received by community member stated they wanted the lake that used to be on the site to come back. The accepted proposal for the new park incorporates many of the old elements from the amusement park, as well as newer elements such as water based recreation, new playground equipment, an extension of the Great Miami River Valley Recreation Bike Trail, an amphitheater and lawn, and the reconstruction of 7.5 acres of the LeSourdsville Pond.

Community Park

Published in June of 2018, this plan discusses the scope and future steps for park improvements of Community Park located south of downtown. This plan was created after the Monroe Parks and Recreation Master Plan was completed in April of 2016. This master plan shows the current conditions of Community Park and the future plans for development including layout that shows the location of a splash pad (sprayground), playground, outdoor fitness equipment space, baseball fields and complex, trails, parking areas, and access points.