February 2, 200619 yr I also forgot to mention that the project is going to get an extra $750,000 from a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. It's part of House Bill 16 (yes, I looked it up), which hasn't been passed yet.
February 4, 200619 yr ... and the first 150 feet of a 400-foot fountain near the bridge are envisioned. I know this may sound silly, but I am pumped up about this 400ft. fountain! Does anyone have any renderings or seen any? These are things that really bring people to the area. BTW, 400ft. is big as hell I can't imagine a fountain that big.
February 4, 200619 yr Also, I just wanted to say that my wife and I took a stroll through Friendship Park (east of Montgomery Inn Boathouse) tonight and it is awesome! The little themes they have going throughout the park is interesting along with the imprints in the concrete. The park is a lot bigger than what I was expecting also! I am very excited to see this place with the color green present. If you have a chance, check it out! The city is working very hard to make areas in downtown a place to visit for peace, views, and a place that I would love to take my kids (when I make them)! Awesome!
February 4, 200619 yr ^It's even better in the summer, when the plantings are awash in color...a great addition to the already amazing Cincinnati Parks system...
February 5, 200619 yr The only thing Berry park needs is a break in the tree line every now and then, to allow for views of the river. How can you have a waterfront park with no access to water? Other than that, I enjoy it a lot.
February 5, 200619 yr The only thing Berry park needs is a break in the tree line every now and then, to allow for views of the river. How can you have a waterfront park with no access to water? Other than that, I enjoy it a lot. It looks like they are a little ways off from it being completed. This is only an opinion though... Of course on the east end there is still construction equipment, and sidewalk closed signs. Another thing I "assumed" was that the whole "Asian & African" sections would probably have plants that are from those countries? I don't know this is something we were thinking about.
February 5, 200619 yr ^Indeed, the plants are supposed to be indigenous to the continents they're from: http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/05/17/loc_berrypark17box.html The Gardens of the Continents shape the park's interior using garden styles and plants found in other countries. Antarctica is the only continent not represented.
February 5, 200619 yr The only thing Berry park needs is a break in the tree line every now and then, to allow for views of the river. How can you have a waterfront park with no access to water? Other than that, I enjoy it a lot. I'm sure the folks at Twain's Pointe agree with you!
February 5, 200619 yr The only thing Berry park needs is a break in the tree line every now and then, to allow for views of the river. How can you have a waterfront park with no access to water? Other than that, I enjoy it a lot. I'm sure the folks at Twain's Pointe agree with you! The trees aren't an issue for Twains Pointe. I went to an open house and those condos are well above the tree line.
February 5, 200619 yr Right now they are...and even as they are, they still block some of the view of the river. You can see some of it, from what I saw when I went there, but it will block the near side of the river...
February 15, 200619 yr <i>Seven years to finish?!!? It looks like they added a building or two. It hard to pass judgement on the new drawings since they aren't in context with the whole park</i> <b>New plans for riverfront park</b> Design drawings for the 52-acre Central Riverfront Park - the centerpiece of The Banks development - feature gardens, open lawns, walking paths, bike trails, pools, waterfalls, public art and new boating accommodations. Photo Gallery http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=AB&Date=20060215&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=602150802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=8
February 15, 200619 yr A park? Not enough people go to Eden Park as it is. Eh. I guess it has a different niche anyway. If it's mixed in with a lot of food options, it would be a cool place for people to eat lunch. It'll be a great place to watch WEBN fireworks too.
February 15, 200619 yr ^I think there is a lack of a connection with anything and Eden. Even the Purple People has accessiblity issues with the park. Since this park will butt up to the development, I can see it be fully utilized. Myself, I love that Eden isn't crawling with people all the time.
February 15, 200619 yr well it took them 7 years to draw the plans so i guess 7 years to build the damn thing seems fast in 'The Banks' time. :roll:
February 15, 200619 yr A park? Not enough people go to Eden Park as it is. Eh. I guess it has a different niche anyway. If it's mixed in with a lot of food options, it would be a cool place for people to eat lunch. It'll be a great place to watch WEBN fireworks too. What are you talking about? Everytime I am in Eden park, it seems packed. Don't base attendance numbers on the once or twice a year you visit the park.
February 15, 200619 yr You wanna see what a good riverfront park can do, go to Louisville. When I was in school there (and this was before it was finished) the place was packed on summer days, even more so when they started wrapping the thing up.
February 16, 200619 yr Ink: ^I think there is a lack of a connection with anything and Eden. What in the hell are you talking about? Mt. Adams? The Art Museum? The Conservatory? Playhouse in the Park? Tons of residential up Fulton and Sinton and St. James and Alpine and Luray? Tons of folks walking from Walnut Hills to the park every day? Three high-rise residential buildings overlooking the park (soon to be four)? Bikers, joggers, roller-bladers, dog-walkers? The overlooks are packed to the gills any nice day...they had to put in special traffic control rules on Sundays in the summer because so many people would pack in and cruise for parking. Eden Park used by tons of people, is in a fantastic location, very convenient from about everywhere...I have no idea where this meme came from...
February 16, 200619 yr ****! I was totally thinking of Sawyer Point, hence the Purple People comment. I must have been high on something...
February 17, 200619 yr Ink: ^I think there is a lack of a connection with anything and Eden. What in the hell are you talking about? Mt. Adams? The Art Museum? The Conservatory? Playhouse in the Park? Tons of residential up Fulton and Sinton and St. James and Alpine and Luray? Tons of folks walking from Walnut Hills to the park every day? Three high-rise residential buildings overlooking the park (soon to be four)? Bikers, joggers, roller-bladers, dog-walkers? The overlooks are packed to the gills any nice day...they had to put in special traffic control rules on Sundays in the summer because so many people would pack in and cruise for parking. Eden Park used by tons of people, is in a fantastic location, very convenient from about everywhere...I have no idea where this meme came from... What 4 highrise buildings are you talking about Riverwatcher?
February 17, 200619 yr St. James at the Park on Alpine, the Edgecliff on Victory Parkway at the S-curve, and Edgecliff Point, back off what is it, Upland? Then they're building the Overlook at Eden Park on Luray. Might not be "highrises" - I don't know when something goes from "midrise" to "highrise", but they're all 14+ stories, all overlooking the park...
February 17, 200619 yr ****! I was totally thinking of Sawyer Point, hence the Purple People comment. I must have been high on something... Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove are great parks and I find them well connected.
March 13, 200619 yr Got an email from the Cincinnati Park Board: Central Riverfront Park is Gaining Momentum There is a lot of interest in the news about a major new park on the central riverfront in downtown Cincinnati, so we want to take this opportunity to share with you the current proposal for Central Riverfront Park. This park is intended to be the new front yard of Cincinnati and the region, reconnecting downtown to the river. It will tie into the chain of existing riverfront parks to the east of the site, forming an almost three mile long corridor of public spaces along the river. It will also be the new public setting for the Freedom Center and Stadia, and provide a green setting for the future restaurants, stores and residents of The Banks. The Site & Design: Situated along the Ohio River between Broadway and Central Avenue, the park will be the front yard of The Banks mixed-use development. The bulk of the park will sit between the two stadia. Ultimately the park will stretch west to the Brent Spence Bridge and include a deck over Fort Washington Way. Two world-renowned landscape architecture firms designed the park. Hargreaves Associates created the master plan and Sasaki Associates is creating the final design and construction plans. Exciting Park Features: Visitors will enjoy over 40 acres of parkland including playgrounds, boat docks, performance/event lawn, a carousel, gardens, bike trail, walkways, tree groves, river edge promenade, decorative water features such as a major reflecting pool and waterfall, artworks, restaurants and cafes. There will be dramatic views from the upper levels of the park along Ted Berry Way and close-up river views from the lower level of the park along Mehring Way. Estimated cost and proposed funding sources: The early phases of the park are expected to cost $33 million. Ultimately the park will cost twice this amount. The Federal government is expected to pick up a large part of this cost over the coming years. Congress has already authorized the design of the park, based on the Park Board’s 1999 master plan for the park, and appropriated $3 million to date. Parks has also received $3 million in capital funds from the City and State. It has also received the first $1 million of private funding for the park and significantly more private funding is expected. Additional City and State capital funding will also be sought. If the will of the people, the political processes and the financing can be aligned, soon Cincinnati Parks — Everybody's Backyard, will have a new front yard along the central riverfront!
May 21, 200619 yr There is going to be an open house on the status of this project on this Wednesday, May 24 from 5:00-7:00. I'm planning on attending this event and hopefully there will be some new images and progress to report. Found the link from the City's park site: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-13873-/ There is also a pdf from the Parks Department showing a couple of small new images and some modified cost estimates. http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/downloads/cityparks_pdf13900.pdf
May 21, 200619 yr In that site plan...it looks like they have building over ft. washington way...is this a new change in the design? could you even do this?...Ifthey could it would create total connectivity between downtown and the riverfront....it would be amazing! 8-)
May 22, 200619 yr The idea was thrown around to possibly build buildings over FWW. However, I dont believe that this would ever really happen. It would seem to be a very aggressive development move to add to the already complex Banks development project. I believe that a nice urban park, over FWW, would be a highly used park and a nice destination to hang out before/after events. I could imagine an immense amount of workers from 3rd St. towers coming down to enjoy lunch in the park and just take in the urban environment.
May 22, 200619 yr Plans for park on riverfront updated By Kerry Duke Post staff reporter Cincinnati's parks director wants to share his enthusiasm for the new Cincinnati Riverfront Park, the proposed 50-acre front yard for the city that will stretch along the riverfront from Paul Brown Stadium to Great American Ballpark. "I want to get the Greater Cincinnati community feeling excited about the opportunities to turn some soil and get this park going," Willie F. Carden Jr. said.
May 22, 200619 yr im glad to see they are refining, etc but START building it PLEASE. Oh yea, 2 years for 1 phase, 5 phases total. That seems like a long time. Too long. :|
May 23, 200619 yr I'm going to try to make the open house too. The I-Team report was comparing the new park to one in Paris, France. I think the reporter just wanted a free trip. DT Cincy simply needs more residents to get the max used out of our parks. and maybe a Casino. ;-) Here's a link comparing the two parks. http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/localshows/iteam/riverfrontpark/images.html
May 23, 200619 yr What a joke of a report. There is no point comparing city parks when this park in Paris is probably as much a neighborhood park as a destination. A /ton/ of people would have to live on the Cincinnati riverfront for those parks to be consistently active and I can tell you from memory that there are permanent bathrooms under the Big Mac Bridge approach. However, it does touch on my point from awhile back, which is that at some point there is too much park land and it will almost never draw a crowd. I am certainly not oppposed to development inching quite a bit closer to the river than is currently the plan, selling air rights over Bicentennial Commons' parking lot, or all kinds of gasp-inducing heresies. Cincinnati already has some of the best parks in the nation, riverfront and otherwise, and this park is not going to make or break the place.
May 23, 200619 yr During my trip to Paris, I made a special effort to visit Luxembourg Gardens, partly because of the recommendation of Project for Public Spaces. And now Laure Quinlivan does the same... ugh. You're exactly right Jake, I got the feeling that it's a neighborhood park more than a destination (at least, it wasn't a tourist destination). Surrounding population is the first requirement for an active, successful park or public space. I'd be pleased if the central riverfront park were only as big as necessary to provide a connection to the river and deal with the fluvial realities it presents. A band of green in front of the development, connecting the stadia to the parks to the east. Ideally streching down Eastern , at least as a bike bath or greenway, all the way to Schmidt. Not unlike the, what was that, '48? Master Plan. Having said that, the range of activities on offer at Luxemboug Gardens is something we would do well to imitate. It was probably my favorite part of Paris and is among the best parks I've ever been to. Lovely.
May 23, 200619 yr This stuff takes way too long. The park shouldn't be looked at as a "destination" anyway. It'll mostly just be something to enjoy if you already happen to be downtown. It'll probably be a place where a lot of downtown workers go to eat and relax during their lunch break. I just wish they would hurry the hell up. "Congress approved the park board's 1999 master plan" how bout a master-hurry-the-hell-up-plan?!
May 23, 200619 yr I really do hope that they keep the park 'urban'. Many problems with other parks, in urban areas, that struggle is that they do not keep in touch with the urban environment. Washington Park, Piatt Park, Fountain Square, Lytle Park are all great. However large monsterous parks that do not consistantley connect with the urban form do not create interest (Theodore M. Berry Park). It looks as if they are doing a good job at looking at what has worked elsewhere: open lawn, splash fountains, outdoor eateries and the like. I would love some ping-pong tables though!!!!!
May 23, 200619 yr yeah...go ahead and attach it to the suspension bridge while they are rehabbing it.
May 23, 200619 yr I really do hope that they keep the park 'urban'. Many problems with other parks, in urban areas, that struggle is that they do not keep in touch with the urban environment. Washington Park, Piatt Park, Fountain Square, Lytle Park are all great. However large monsterous parks that do not consistantley connect with the urban form do not create interest (Theodore M. Berry Park). Well, different parks for different purposes. You don't get more monsterous and non-urban than Ault Park, but it's packed with folks all the time. TM Berry Park has lots of users, especially joggers. Eden Park isn't urban at all, but it's packed to the gills all the time as well. I agree that an Eden Park isn't appropriate for the riverfront, but just want to clarify that an urban park isn't appropriate in other settings either - balance in all things!
May 23, 200619 yr What a joke of a report. There is no point comparing city parks when this park in Paris is probably as much a neighborhood park as a destination. totally disagree on this one. I am definitely no fan of Laurie Quinlavin, but this report was right on the mark. Cincinnati parks are not user-freindly at all. My kids and I use Sawyer Point playground at least weekly. We also use all of the other parks especially Bellvue Park and Washington Park, literally, we are at one of these parks almost every day of the year, and all of the points she brought up were totally relavant. Key missing items in our parks: - working toilets (NOT locked shut, or filthy, as usual) - open concession stands. 99% of the time they are closed in city parks. - fenced playgrounds. The play areas in Luxembourg Gardens are enclosed, so that you know your children are still there, even if you don't see them at the moment. This is more important than you may think! - shaded playground. Hard to find in Cincy. The only one I can think of is Ault Park. - carousel or other small mechanical rides. The only carousel in the city limits is at the zoo. Why? Everyone loves a carousel! - Sand box: Non-existent in Cincinnati, unless you include the volleyball courts, but the players don't appreciate lots of small kids in the court. - Better motion devices: They have the rope-swing in Luxembourg Gardens, but only if you have kids would you notice that see-saws have been eliminated in Cincinnati, and all new swing sets are tiny with short chains. You cannot have a good swing unless the chain is at least 10' long! - One thing not mentioned, but that I think would also be good is a boardwalk, with skeeball, pinball and a shooting gallery. Now that would be a real hit. I like the Ted Berry Park, but that is basically a walking / bike trail. I wouldn't trust the park board to design a really useful working park. Heck they are barely getting the grass cut in the larger parks.
May 23, 200619 yr You should be able to get decent shade at Eden Park's playground depending on time of day, and they have big-assed swings still at Mt. Echo Park...as for the other elements, I'm not a kid-owner, so I don't really pay a ton of attention to those aspects...but I can see why fenced-in playground areas are important - never crossed my mind before, but makes sense.
May 23, 200619 yr totally disagree on this one. I am definitely no fan of Laurie Quinlavin, but this report was right on the mark. Cincinnati parks are not user-freindly at all. Fair enough, I don't have any kids and haven't been at any of these parks with any kids probably since I was one. I haven't been in town much in the last five years either. However, I remember as a kid playing on the wasp-infested swings at Winton Woods and Mt. Airy Forest and I'm sure plenty of things that would be considered substandard today. And at a certain point my mom stopped taking me to Mt. Airy Forest becuase of all the homosexual activity. Nothing ruins a park for families quicker than that. - working toilets (NOT locked shut, or filthy, as usual) ^public toilets are always a problem, they attract the homeless and George Michael's. - open concession stands. 99% of the time they are closed in city parks. That's true. They're there but they just plain aren't open. It seems like a Memorial Day to Labor Day schedule wouldn't be too much to ask. - Better motion devices: They have the rope-swing in Luxembourg Gardens, but only if you have kids would you notice that see-saws have been eliminated in Cincinnati, and all new swing sets are tiny with short chains. You cannot have a good swing unless the chain is at least 10' long! If it were up to me we'd bring back the ten foot diving boards and all the fun stuff that The Man started battling against in the 80's. The thing too is that any rowdy boys are going to get sick of whatever is availible in a park and start getting destructive. I remember when we went to the Taft Museum on a field trip (BOR-ING) and then had lunch in Lytle Park. Me and two or three other kids passed the time throwing mulch and small rocks at traffic entering the tunnel.
May 24, 200619 yr ^Isn't the Bicentennial Commons playground underneath the Big Mac bridge? Yes, the "1,000 hands" part of the park is ALWAYS in total shade (because it is under the highway) , and the older city-built playground is ALWAYS baking hot in the sun, and the metal slide is too hot to use all summer. mom stopped taking me to Mt. Airy Forest becuase of all the homosexual activity. 't been Nothing ruins a park for families quicker than that. public toilets are always a problem, they attract the homeless and George Michael's. I had similar experience in that I was a victim of a crime for the first time as a child at Mt. Airy when our car window was smashed. Public toilets have much more success in europe. Often they have attendants or are in very visible locations where trouble makers will be seen. I realize that the situation here is totally different. A solution might be a combination of better design putting them in more visible, high-traffic areas, perhaps making them pay to use.
May 24, 200619 yr Public toilets have much more success in europe. Often they have attendants or are in very visible locations where trouble makers will be seen. I realize that the situation here is totally different. A solution might be a combination of better design putting them in more visible, high-traffic areas, perhaps making them pay to use. Yeah I know for sure a few cities over there have pay toliets that actually clean themselves with a spray down afterward. Also I believe they actually have some sort of system that manages time spent inside (I can't remember what happens when you run out of time, but there's some sort of travel site that I remember reading this stuff on).
May 25, 200619 yr Riverfront park plans displayed BY DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER DOWNTOWN - A walk in the park will be a real adventure if the Central Riverfront Park along the Ohio River ever gets built. Members of the Cincinnati Park Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and architects with a private consultant showcased the latest designs Wednesday for the 40-acre park. They hope it will become home to all of the city's major festivals, and a place for concerts and everyday folks wanting to enjoy green space. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/NEWS01/605250390/1056/NEWS0103
May 25, 200619 yr OK, build it now! I'm ready for such a park! Go ahead, you folks can start a-building away now, you have my leave!
May 25, 200619 yr I went to the meeting yesterday and the plans are certainly ambitious. It has a little bit of everything. They mentioned moving the major festivals down there and gave the example of October-Fest lasting 8 days instead of a weekend since streets wouldn't have to be closed. As for the timeframe, and if the stars are aligned, the first segment would start in 9/07 and finish in 2009. The first part built would be East of Roebling to GABP, from Merhing Way down to the river. That's about of 1/3 of the park and that part alone would cost over $30 million. I did take a few pics which I'll try to post later tonight.
May 25, 200619 yr Another article.... Public gets glimpse of riverfront's future By Kerry Duke Post staff reporter JIM OSBORN/The Post A few dozen people viewed the latest design renderings for the 50-acre Cincinnati riverfront park during an open house Wednesday. Chris Mohr's reaction to the plans for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park surely must have pleased the people who've been working for nearly a decade on what's being billed as the city's new "front yard." http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/NEWS01/605250385
May 25, 200619 yr Are those the only photos the papers showed us? How about some pics of the plans, Enquirer?
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