10/10/2026
It's the man, the myth, Mr. MetroParks himself, Brent Anslinger. As a long-time employee of Five Rivers MetroParks, you may have read about Brent in the latest cover story of Parkways.
Anslinger has been integral to MetroParks’ role in helping Dayton become known as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. Over the years, Anslinger has considered every new outdoor recreation amenity and the growth of special events a win — especially for the community.
“Creating healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation builds momentum and legitimizes Dayton as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest,” said Anslinger. “It’s all positive — it helps change the image of Dayton, how Daytonians feel about themselves and attracts businesses and tourists.”
Indeed, outdoor recreation generates an astounding $20.1 billion in economic impact for Ohio, according to Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. Additionally, Five Rivers MetroParks generates approximately $90 million to $115 million annually in economic activity through park visitation and trail use.
Read more about Dayton's outdoor recreation hype man by following the link in our bio/comment.
