From Fairways to Fair Play

A Golf Course Becomes an Inclusive Park
by MSP Design - Photos: Cory Klein Photography

Part of the Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area, Deerfield Township promotes itself as having a first-rate park system, which now includes a nearly 100-acre addition. Developed on the site of a former golf course, Kingswood Park was envisioned as a signature destination that would draw visitors from throughout the wider region to enjoy its recreational and social benefits. Local landscape architecture firm MSP Design was part of the team that delivered this new asset to the community. A highlight of the park is a central space with play structures, shaded areas, picnic tables, and other amenities. It has become a popular place for community events, a farmers market, and a summer camp.

Three playground areas accommodate different age groups. For 2 to 5-year-olds (middle), the equipment is close to the ground. The play structure behind it includes cargo nets, ropes, ladder steps, and monkey bars to increase the challenge for 5 to 12-year-olds. A FitCore?,,? Extreme "ninja-style" fitness course (top right) appeals to teenagers and adults. All play equipment was provided by Landscape Structures, Inc. To facilitate safety, synthetic playground turf with antistatic and antimicrobial technology was installed on top of a 3-inch layer of Safety Foam Pro, which has a 10-foot critical fall height rating.

On the western side of the Central Plaza sits a custom, shaded swing structure designed by Bryan Grome, PLA of MSP Design and manufactured by Poligon.

Foam-backed, synthetic playground turf called Playground Grass?,,? Ultra by ForeverLawn of Ohio was specified due to its low maintenance requirements and efficient water use. Patches of colorful landscaping feature Skyline Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Skycole') trees and Emerald Pink Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink'). Various light fixtures illuminate the park, like these pedestrian-scale, 12-foot-high LEO area lights placed around the playground areas.

The entry archway comprises welded steel beams anchored in columns of CMU block clad with stone veneer and capped with stone. The walking surface is custom-stamped concrete with a slate texture, radial pattern control jointing, and soldier course borders.

All pedestrian lighting, area lighting (see top left picture), loop bike racks, and Gretchen picnic tables and benches were supplied by Landscape Forms. The pathways are accompanied by Little Lime Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'), and Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst').

Stakeholders like the township's Board of Trustees, other local officials, and residents helped influence the park's design. A network of walking trails includes over three miles of paved walkways - the remnants of golf course paths - and a Pollinator Pathway created in conjunction with the Cincinnati Nature Center.

This pavilion, which hosts the Farmers Market, is a custom wood structure designed by the project's architects, KZF Design. The retaining wall for the raised bed is built with modular, dry-stacked blocks and caps.

The parking lot is illuminated with 25-foot-high LEO area lights. Existing trees include a mixture of Red and Pin Oaks (Quercus rubra, Quercus palustris) as well as some Norway Spruce (Picea abies).

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Part of the Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area, Deerfield Township promotes itself as having a first-rate park system, which now includes a nearly 100-acre addition. Developed on the site of a former golf course, Kingswood Park was envisioned as a signature destination that would draw visitors from throughout the wider region to enjoy its recreational and social benefits. Local landscape architecture firm MSP Design was part of the team that delivered this new asset to the community. A highlight of the park is a central space with play structures, shaded areas, picnic tables, and other amenities. It has become a popular place for community events, a farmers market, and a summer camp.

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Three playground areas accommodate different age groups. For 2 to 5-year-olds (middle), the equipment is close to the ground. The play structure behind it includes cargo nets, ropes, ladder steps, and monkey bars to increase the challenge for 5 to 12-year-olds. A FitCore?,,? Extreme "ninja-style" fitness course (top right) appeals to teenagers and adults. All play equipment was provided by Landscape Structures, Inc. To facilitate safety, synthetic playground turf with antistatic and antimicrobial technology was installed on top of a 3-inch layer of Safety Foam Pro, which has a 10-foot critical fall height rating.

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On the western side of the Central Plaza sits a custom, shaded swing structure designed by Bryan Grome, PLA of MSP Design and manufactured by Poligon.

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Foam-backed, synthetic playground turf called Playground Grass?,,? Ultra by ForeverLawn of Ohio was specified due to its low maintenance requirements and efficient water use. Patches of colorful landscaping feature Skyline Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Skycole') trees and Emerald Pink Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink'). Various light fixtures illuminate the park, like these pedestrian-scale, 12-foot-high LEO area lights placed around the playground areas.

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The entry archway comprises welded steel beams anchored in columns of CMU block clad with stone veneer and capped with stone. The walking surface is custom-stamped concrete with a slate texture, radial pattern control jointing, and soldier course borders.

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All pedestrian lighting, area lighting (see top left picture), loop bike racks, and Gretchen picnic tables and benches were supplied by Landscape Forms. The pathways are accompanied by Little Lime Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'), and Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst').

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Stakeholders like the township's Board of Trustees, other local officials, and residents helped influence the park's design. A network of walking trails includes over three miles of paved walkways - the remnants of golf course paths - and a Pollinator Pathway created in conjunction with the Cincinnati Nature Center.

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This pavilion, which hosts the Farmers Market, is a custom wood structure designed by the project's architects, KZF Design. The retaining wall for the raised bed is built with modular, dry-stacked blocks and caps.

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The parking lot is illuminated with 25-foot-high LEO area lights. Existing trees include a mixture of Red and Pin Oaks (Quercus rubra, Quercus palustris) as well as some Norway Spruce (Picea abies).

Nestled in the heart of Mason, Ohio twenty miles north of Cincinnati, Kingswood Park in Deerfield Township stands as a beacon of community-driven, outdoor space transformation. Once the quiet expanse of a defunct golf course, the 100-acre site has been reimagined as a vibrant public space that brings together people of all ages. This ambitious project - imagined by Deerfield Township and realized by F.D. Lawrence Electric Company, Delta Electrical, and Cincinnati-based landscape architecture firm MSP Design - showcases the potential of thoughtful landscape architecture to create meaningful connections between people, place, and nature.

An Available Resource
The park's origins trace back to the Deerfield Township Board of Trustees, who recognized the untapped potential of the former golf course. Their vision was clear: to craft a signature community hub that would be a regional destination for recreation, socializing, and a healthy connection to the outdoors. This set the stage for an extensive collaboration among township officials, residents, and MSP Design, all focused on outcomes that reflect not only the physical landscape of the area but also the collective spirit of the community it serves.

Familiar Territory
The Landscape Architects listened to the local population's desires and feedback, ensuring the park's design would resonate with those who would use it most. What emerged was a plan that seamlessly blends recreational amenities with natural beauty, offering a diverse set of spaces for relaxation, socializing, play, and other physical activity.

Rolling Out the Welcome Mat
Walking into Kingswood Park today, visitors are greeted by a central plaza that invites gatherings both large and small. This space - equipped with picnic tables, a shelter structure, and a multi-use building - is now the focal point for community events, a farmers market, and a summer camp. Around the plaza, a sprawling network of walking trails winds through the park, connecting its various features and offering opportunities for quiet reflection amidst the restored native landscape.

Recreation for Everyone

 
A standout aspect of Kingswood Park is its dedication to inclusive play and fitness. Three distinct playgrounds are thoughtfully designed to cater to different age groups, providing safe and engaging environments for children at varying developmental stages. For the youngest visitors, an area with playful, low-to-the-ground structures also includes soft synthetic turf for safe landings. Older children and pre-teens are drawn to a separate playground filled with more challenging, geometric climbing structures and interactive features like cargo nets, ropes, ladder steps, monkey bars, and an extra-wide slide.

One of the most advanced embellishments to the park is the FitCore™ Extreme "ninja-style" fitness course, which has become a favorite of teenagers and adults alike. Designed and manufactured by Landscape Structures, Inc., this course includes obstacles and agility stations like the "Unstable Bridge," "Spiderwalk," and "Quintuple Steps" that challenge users to push their physical limits in a fun, supportive setting. Clear instructions accompany each station, ensuring accessibility for all skill levels. As one of the park's most sought-after features that draws visitors from across Southwest Ohio, the ninja course promotes fitness through fun while fostering a sense of accomplishment and
camaraderie among participants.

Adding a Green Scheme
Sustainability is also woven into the fabric of Kingswood Park, reflecting the community's commitment to landscape restoration and environmental stewardship. At the entrance, a native plant garden welcomes the park's visitors, leading them through the native prairie garden and toward the Pollinator Pathway created in collaboration with the Cincinnati Nature Center. The use of permeable pavement in the farmers market area helps manage stormwater and reduce runoff. Foam-backed playground turf by ForeverLawn provides a durable, low-maintenance, water-efficient surface that minimizes ecological impact while offering a clean, inviting appearance.

Providing Continuity
Throughout the park, lighting and site furnishings from the Gretchen line and 35 Collection by Landscape Forms were carefully selected by MSP Design to enhance functionality and create a cohesive, modern ambiance. The parking lot is lit with 25-foot-high LEO area lights and the plaza and playground areas are lit with pedestrian-scale, 12-foot-high LEO area lights. Hawthorne path lights illuminate walkways at key spots in the park, like near the entrance and all through the pavilion space.

Accompanying the lighting, various site furnishings were selected for their ability to help visitors relax, connect, and enjoy views. Wooden picnic tables are located in the plaza adjacent to the multi-use building, with benches placed around the playgrounds. Loop bike racks offer cyclists a spot to store their ride. MSP Design was drawn to the aesthetics of the site elements, and working with one manufacturer simplified the specification process and ensured a similar appearance and finish across the site.

People-Approved
Local families frequently gather to enjoy the park's diversity of age-appropriate amenities, while fitness enthusiasts make great use of the trails and ninja course. The park has also become a resource for the nearby high school cross-country team, which uses the trails for training. In October 2024, Kingswood Park hosted Cincinnati UCI Cyclocross Weekend - a two-day, internationally-sanctioned bicycle racing event that brought in hundreds of riders from around the world. Such diverse use underscores how thoughtful design enhances a park's ability to meet a wide range of needs, solidifying its place as a cherished local asset and vibrant point of community connection.

For Deerfield Township Board Trustee Lelle Hedding, Kingswood Park represents more than just an outdoor recreation space - it's a point of pride and a symbol of what's possible when a community comes together. "Kingswood Park is our signature park, and [it] attracts visitors from Southwest Ohio and beyond," she described. "The park, including its state-of-the-art playgrounds and ninja course, is creating wonderful spaces and experiences for Deerfield families."

The Whole of It
Overall, the development of Kingswood Park has made a profoundly positive impact on its community. By reimagining a former golf course, the project turned underutilized land into a thriving public space that supports health and wellness, fosters connections, and celebrates the natural beauty of the region. As the park continues to grow into its role as Deerfield Township's signature public space, it stands as a reminder of the immense value of collaboration.

Through careful planning, sustainable design, and a commitment to community input, Kingswood Park serves as a shining example of how successful landscape architecture can transform an empty asset into one that fills a purpose. Kingswood Park is not just a park; it's a shared story, a communal gathering place, and a testament to the idea that the most meaningful spaces are those built with their
people in mind.

TEAM LIST
Landscape Architect: MSP Design
Client: Deerfield Township
Electrical: F.D. Lawrence Electric Company, Delta Electrical

Filed Under:LASN PARKS 2025,KINGSWOOD PARK,LANDSCAPE FORMS,MSP DESIGN,CINCINNATI, OHIO,DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, LASN