Gentile Nature Park sits on the north end of Kettering at 915 Peach Orchard Road, a 12.9-acre space that was two decades in the making before opening in June 2024. It’s now Kettering’s 22nd park, and the first newly constructed one the city has built in several years.
The park is named for Maj. Dominic Gentile, a Piqua native who flew with the Army Air Forces in World War II. Historical displays throughout the park recognize his service, and the overall design, including the topography and playground layout, draws on aviation and flight themes.
What’s at Gentile Nature Park
The playground is the largest nature-themed setup in Kettering’s park system, with 13 pieces of equipment including slides and a climbing tower. The standout feature is a 100-foot zipline that runs from the highest point of the playground down to the lowest, with safety surfaces underneath. It’s short enough that you won’t be far off the ground, but kids tend to love it.
A bike path connects to the Dayton-Kettering Connector at Wiltshire Boulevard, which leads to the University of Dayton campus. Walking trails wind through the park, and there are picnic tables and benches if you want to hang around after the kids have burned some energy.
The park is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free to use. It’s accessible and has bike racks on site. No shelters are available for reservation.
