XENIA, OH -- Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine toured Ohio’s newest state park, Great Council State Park, just days ahead of the official ribbon-cutting and opening on Friday, June 7. Great Council, the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s 76^th state park, celebrates Ohio’s Shawnee and pioneer past.  

The architectural design of the 12,000-square-foot interpretative center is modeled after a traditional Shawnee longhouse. Inside, it features interactive exhibits, gallery spaces, a small theater, and a living stream with native aquatic life. Outside, visitors can explore a native plant prairie and a half-mile trail leading to the Little Miami River.

“Fran and I are so pleased to see Great Council State Park open this week, so that Ohioans can learn more about the history of this special place in Greene County,” said Governor DeWine. “We invite Ohioans and people from around the country to learn more about the Shawnee people, the early settlers of this region, and what life was like in the 1770s.” 

Great Council State Park will officially open to the public on June 7 with a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.

Governor's soundbites from the preview

B-roll of tour