Welcome to South Park, a historic urban neighborhood in Dayton, Ohio.
“Community is not found easily these days. So when you find even a little, life seems richer.”
Houses with Character in a Friendly Community
Friendly, unassuming neighborhoods aren’t simply relics of the past. For many of us, they are the future. In Dayton’s South Park, the architecture is inviting and the community spirit is alive and well. The streets are quiet, but a brisk walk can take to you to a child’s playdate, a neighbor’s porch party, a bar or café, churches and shops, parks and seasonal festivals—and the disproportionate amount of arts and culture available to the diverse 150,000 inhabitants of the city of Dayton.
Every Kind of People
The energy of South Park comes from people in all walks of life—blue and white collar, young and old, newcomers and long-time residents. Among the 1,200 neighborhood families you’ll find a diverse socioeconomic mix:
- Engineers
- Factory workers
- Musicians
- Doctors and lawyers
- Professional military
- Retirees
- City employees
- Store owners
- Retail workers
- Firefighters
- Business people
- Laborers and handymen
- Artists and writers
- Teachers and professors
- Medical professionals
- Designers and architects
Take a Walk or Ride Your Bike
A ten-minute walk from South Park can take you to the shady hills of historic Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, the Great Miami River Recreation Trail, the beautiful campus of the University of Dayton and its nearby shops and cafes, Carillon History Park, to an appointment at the Miami Valley Hospital or to the lively arts and entertainment scene of the Oregon District. Bike along the bike trail, walk or take the free Flyer shuttle to the downtown events at the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre, Levitt Pavilion, Riverscape, a Dayton Dragons game or 2nd Street Market—and when you do need the car, you’ll have quick access to major highways and thoroughfares.
A Fascinating Blend of Grand Victorians and Quaint Cottages
A century ago, South Park was laid out as a mixed income community, which it is to this day. Many first-time home buyers find South Park affordable. There are a good number of house rentals, too, an ideal way to experience the neighborhood if you are not considering an immediate home purchase.
Recycling a century-old home is the ultimate green
South Park has experienced steady improvement in the last 20 years, and there are still promising unrestored homes waiting for adoption. You’ll find a revived distinctive home on every block and a renovation project on every street. While exteriors are guided by historic standards, home interiors can be redone as energy efficient and crisply modern. You can reuse, renovate and restore in a healthy urban neighborhood.
In 2008, Historic South Park was chosen by Neighborhoods, USA as “Neighborhood of the Year for Physical Revitalization.” NUSA is a national non-profit organization committed to building and strengthening neighborhood organizations.
Everybody says “Hi.”
The best way to find out if you’ll be happy in a new neighborhood is to get to know the people. We’d like to introduce ourselves. If you see us walking the dog or sitting on the porch, say hello. You can also attend one of our regular social events or a monthly meeting. See our calendar of events and contact information.