Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Valley View Foundation?

A. The Valley View Foundation is an Ohio Corporation not-for-profit that was incorporated on April 19, 2002 under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1702 by Robert E. Laudeman, the sixth generation of his family to live in Milford near this farm.

Q. Is the Valley View Foundation a tax exempt organization?

A. Yes. On June 14, 2002, the Valley View Foundation was deemed to be exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described under section 501(c)(3). As such, depending upon a donor's individual tax situation, donations to the Valley View Foundation may be entirely tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Click here for our IRS Letter of Determination and other IRS documentation.

Q. How does the Valley View Foundation operate?

A. The organization is subject to many of the same requirements as any for-profit business. The organization functions through its Board of Directors which varies in size from 8 to 15 members who serve staggered three year terms. The Board of Directors are not paid for their services. Some of the board members also hold the title of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Board of Directors also has formed an ad hoc advisory committee of prominent experts that it turns to on an as needed basis for advice and counsel on implementation of the project. The Board of Directors may also establish committees to manage specific tasks and responsibilities as it deems appropriate. We currently have three standing committees - Outreach, Land Management and Finance and Development. The Board typically meets once a quarter and often more frequently in open meetings at the home of Bob Laudeman, 5388 South Milford Road. Meetings are generally at 7:30 p.m. If you would like to attend a meeting or receive notice regarding them, you may want to e-mail us or call 218-1098. For more information about our Board members and our business documents, visit our Corporate Information page.

Q. Where is Valley View?

Valley View is located in the City of Milford in Clermont County, Ohio. If you are familiar with the area, it is bordered by Terrace Park Country Club to the South, SEM Retirement Community and the Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford to the West, New Findley Ray ballfields to the near north and Roundbottom Road to the near east. Here is a street map showing the general location of the property.

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Q. How do I get on to the property?

A. Currently there is limited access and parking for the property. Remember, for more than a century this land has been in a rural area as a farm. We are developing plans for better access and parking but this will take us some time to implement. If you are not familiar with the area, the best advice is to call or e-mail us to set up a tour of the property starting at 5388 South Milford Road, the home of Bob Laudeman which has parking and immediate access to the property. If you are familiar with the area, there is a City of Milford "pocket park" at the SEM Retirement Community on South Milford Road. This parking is marked with a City of Milford sign. You may park in this lot and cross South Milford Road (please be careful as this is not a designated crosswalk at this time) and come down on to the property near the historic barns and overlook.

Q. I'm a teacher, can I use the Valley View site for my class?

A. Whether you're a teacher, scout leader, in a mom's club or part of any other organization looking for an outdoor education opportunity, we want you to visit our site. A key element of our mission is to share the resources we have protected with the Greater Cincinnati community. We have hosted scouts, students and other groups at our site. These groups have found the experience to be very rewarding. We are working to develop more formal programs for group visits. If you're interested in having your group visit the site we recommend you complete our Visiting Request Form call us at 513-218-1098 or e-mail us to arrange your group visit.

Q. Do I need to become a member or pay a fee to visit Valley View?

A. No. This project is for the benefit of all in our community. Nevertheless, we are an all volunteer organization that is in need of substantial additional funding so becoming a member or making a donation is strongly encouraged. Click here for more information on how you can become a member. If you like what you see and have the means to do so, we strongly encourage you to donate. This website and the project itself would not be here today if not for people who have done so.

Q. Can I fish, hunt, ride a bike, bring a four wheeler or camp on the property?

A. You may only walk in to the property. Bikes, motorcycles, cars, trucks, four wheelers and the like are strictly prohibited because they can damage our sensitive habitat and are annoying and dangerous to other visitors. Fishing is permitted in the East Fork of the Little Miami River in designated areas of the Valley View property. Hunting and trapping is strictly prohibited on the property as there are other visitors and surrounding property owners who could be injured. No concealed weapons may be brought onto our property. Walk-in camping may be permitted with prior approval if it is in connection with scouting or a similar educational experience. We recommend you complete our Visiting Group Request Form, call us at 513-576-1023 or e-mail us to arrange such an outing. Please be respectful of our neighbors, the habitat and fellow visitors when you are on the property.

Q. Is Valley View handicap accessible?

A. Unfortunately, not at this time. Until very recently this was rural farmland with very poor access. We are planning to implement actions that will improve access and make this an inclusive site. Inclusion is especially important to us as we have a large retirement community and elementary school bordering our property.

Q. Are there restrooms, picnic tables, grills or swing sets at Valley View?

A. No, but our site is very near many businesses with public restrooms. We may eventually create a small picnic grove for use of visitors and schoolchildren, but there are no such facilities currently. Active recreation activities such as swing sets, jungle gyms and ballfields are not part of Valley View. In fact, several of the grants we have received expressly prohibit us from using the property we own for those purposes. There are many surrounding parks and other areas that offer these amenities in the area.

Q. What if I get hurt on the property?

A. You are assuming the risk of injury to yourself and others by entering our property. The site is primitive, undeveloped farmland with water features, steep hills and ravines, wildlife and wooded areas. There are limited quality trails. Do not enter the property except during daylight hours and carry a cell phone or tell someone where you are going. We do not have rangers or attendants on duty patrolling the site. If you do get injured, the City of Milford's emergency services staff are nearby and generally familiar with the Valley View property. Dial 911 and provide as much guidance about your location as possible. By way of general bearings, the elementary school and Terrace Park Country Club are on the south end of the property, the East Fork River and Roundbottom Road is on the east side of the property, the Milford wastewater plant and Findley Ray ballfields are on the north end of the property and the SEM Retirement Community and South Milford Neighborhood are on the west side of the property.

Q. What rules must I follow when I visit the property?

A. This Property has been purchased and preserved for you by the Valley View Foundation. We hope you enjoy this scenic, natural treasure in our community. We ask that you respect and abide by the following Rules and Regulations to protect our property and yourself

• The property is open from dawn until dusk daily

• Horses and bicycles are permitted only on marked trails. Horses must be kept off the marked trails near the River to maintain healthy aquatic life in the River.

• No unauthorized motorized vehicles permitted

•Camping by permission only

•Dogs on a leash per City of Milford ordinance

•No hunting or trapping

•No smoking

•No weapons

•No removal of plants, wildlife or other materials

•No dumping or littering