Gentile Park Project
The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department will be moving forward with the construction of Gentile Park in 2023.
Design work associated with the park is expected to be completed by early 2023 with plans to begin construction in late spring or summer. Plans include removing the mounds on the property and replacing every tree removed during construction with two new trees, which will bolster Kettering’s urban canopy.
The naturalized neighborhood park also will include:
- Playground areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12
- One-half mile walking path
- Open lawn green space
- Bike connection to path off Wiltshire Boulevard
- Historical recognition of Major Don Gentile
- 10-15 parking spots and street access nearby
View the flyover video rendering of the park and read the project plans below for more information.
Thank you for your feedback and patience with this project. If you have any questions regarding Gentile Park, please contact Park Superintendent Gary Schussler at gary.schussler@ketteringoh.org or PRCA Director Mary Beth O’Dell at marybeth.odell@ketteringoh.org. You may also leave comments or questions in the form at the bottom of this page.
About Major Don Gentile
Dominic Salvatore "Don" Gentile (December 6, 1920 – January 28, 1951) was also known as "Ace of Aces." Gentile was a World War II USAAF pilot who surpassed Eddie Rickenbacker's World War I record of 26 downed aircraft. He later served in the post-war U.S. Air Force.
Gentile was born in Piqua, Ohio and was buried with full military honors in Saint Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio. Gentile Air Force Station in Kettering was named in his honor in 1962. The installation closed in 1996. Gentile AFS was also the site of the Defense Electronics Supply Center (DESC) and is the future site of Gentile Park!