Giant Slide in Beavercreek Closes After Nearly 40 Years—Community Effort Underway to Bring It Back
For nearly 40 years, the giant metal slide at Shoup Park has been a rite of passage for Beavercreek kids. Now, the community is coming together to fund its replacement.
The Giant Slide in Beavercreek Has Closed, but Its Story Isn't Over
For generations of Beavercreek families, a trip to Shoup Park wasn't complete without a turn on the massive metal slide.
Our family included.
The park was known in our family as "Dragon Park." Conveniently located near the Kroger, we'd often visit after the weekly grocery shop. Our boys would beg to go to the park with the dragon on the climbing structure that let kids climb and crawl through its enclosed frame. But the real attraction was always "The Slide."
The routine was almost always the same. First, the climbing frames, especially the one with the huge plastic dragon on the side. Next came the swings. "The Slide" always came last. They would wait until we said "Five more minutes!" They knew they could stretch the deadline longer than the slide itself.
Whether you remember racing friends to the top, braving a hot summer descent, or earning the occasional slide burn, chances are you have a story about one of the community's most recognizable playground landmarks. Now, after decades of repairs and maintenance, the City of Beavercreek has announced that the slide has reached the end of its service life and will be permanently removed.
According to city officials, routine inspections revealed that erosion, structural deterioration, exposed hazards, and outdated design features made further repairs impractical. The city said replacement is now the only safe and financially responsible long-term solution.
"The Shoup Park slide has been a part of the community for nearly four decades—almost twice as long as most playground equipment," the city shared in a recent announcement. "To keep our kids safe, replacement is the only viable option."
The news sparked an outpouring of memories from residents on social media.
"It was a rite of passage to get a slide burn from the giant Shoup Park metal slide," one resident wrote.
Others recalled launching off the end into the dirt, sliding down on parchment paper, and bringing generations of children and grandchildren to the park.
"I've been taking kids to this park for 20 years or so and have many memories there is specially with the slide," read another.
Save The Slide: How you can help bring the slide back to Shoup Park
City leaders say recent budget reductions and limited parks funding mean the project cannot move forward through traditional funding sources alone. Recognizing the slide's place in Beavercreek history, the city has partnered with the Beavercreek Enrichment Association to launch a fundraising campaign for a new custom metal slide.
For many local families, the giant slide wasn't just another piece of playground equipment—it was a shared memory that connected generations. Now, Beavercreek residents have an opportunity to help write the next chapter of that story.
Want to donate? The city is asking community members to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help preserve this slice of Beavercreek history.
