Parks & Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Division oversees and maintains Riverside Cemetery and all City Parks including the upkeep of all the athletic fields, swimming pool, Splash Park, and facilities within these parks. The Division head is supported by an Administrative Assistant and three full time parks maintenance employees. During the spring and summer months, several temporary part-time employees are hired to supplement the permanent staff. These temporary employees help out with the additional landscaping duties and city pool needs. Applications for these positions are available beginning in March.
Annual Clean Up Your Parks Day
Along with its regular maintenance duties, the Parks Division also provides a variety of annual activities for the community. One event held every April is "Clean Up Your Parks Day", in which an estimated 300 volunteers show up with their garden tools to aid in cleaning up the winter debris at their favorite park. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Find more information in the Clean Up Day flyer (PDF)! Get details on Werlor Free Disposal Day (PDF).
Other Events
Other events held in the City Parks are:
- Art in the Park
- Music in the Parks
- Children's Lunch Program
- Jazz Festival
- July 4th Fireworks Celebration
- DASH Walk
- Triathlon at the Reservoir
- Alzheimer Walk
- Defiance County Heartwalk
- Hispanic Awareness
- Morbapaloosa (movies shown on Saturdays during the summer months)
Shelter houses can be reserved through the Parks and Recreation Department (419-784-2745, Monday through Friday) for citizen use.
Every August, volunteers from the Defiance College (freshman service day) help with painting, cleaning, and general yard work. The Master Gardeners volunteer their time to plant flowers and maintain the floral landscaping of several areas.
Park Board
Vital to the operation and policy-making of the parks system is the Park Board.
Park Services
Shelter House Rental Information
Reservations may be made the first working day of the New Year, and can be made over the telephone 419-784-2745 or at:
Parks Office at City Hall
631 Perry Street
Defiance, OH 43512
Payment may be mailed in or paid during the working hours of Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Shelter house rental fees are $50. Checks should be made payable to "Defiance City Parks". Fees must be paid in full at least two weeks in advance. The reservation is not confirmed until the fee is paid.
Shelter house rentals are on a "first-come, first-served basis" unless they are reserved.