In 1971 the Granville Recreation Commission was formed, supported initially by a .5 mill township operating levy which was increased to one mill by the voters several years ago.  The levy is paid by the residents of Granville.  The GRC uses these funds to offer recreational and educational activities for community members of all ages.   

In conjunction with preparation of the 1990 Community Comprehensive Plan the residents of the community were surveyed about their thoughts and desires for community needs.  One of those identified needs was the desire for more parks and facilities for recreational activities.  The final plan noted the severe shortage of recreational space in the community.

 The Granville Township Trustees responded to this need by acquiring the 52 acre Salt Run Park property in 1991 for passive recreation activity use.  In 1993 the forty acres that would eventually become Raccoon Valley Park were acquired.  The township was successful in gaining a $100,000 NatureWorks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources which was used to create 4 baseball and 2 soccer fields at Raccoon Valley Park completed in 1998. 

 In 2002 the Township received a gift of 7.4 acres which is contiguous to Salt Run Park.  In 2003 the former Whitepoint property was acquired and used to create Bi-Centennial Park in time for the 2005 community bi-centennial celebration.  In 2003 the Township acquired 28+ acres next to the existing Raccoon Valley Park in order to help the Recreation Commission expand its programs recreational programs.

In 2005 the Township acquired the 11 acre Granville Conservation Club property on Raccoon Valley Road.  In addition to the acreage the property has a building which had been used for meetings and social events.  The Recreation Commission has completed the remodeling the structure with funding provided by the Township Trustees.  The property was recently renamed “McPeek Lodge” in honor of Deborah and J. Rodney McPeek, the original co-directors of the Recreation Commission.

 The GRC operates and maintains park properties acquired by Granville Township.  The Township Trustees believe this is a good partnership of community organizations and that the community is the beneficiary of these efforts.  As the community continues to grow the need for more recreational facilities will increase.