Ok, so anyone remember this image:

 

 

I have yet to see a carousel.

 

I want a carousel.

^Where's that fountain in the 3rd image?

 

right behind the stage on the Schmidlap event lawn

 

Oh wow! That was not there (or I just didn't see it) a couple weeks ago when I walked through that area! The progress down there is quick!

^Where's that fountain in the 3rd image?

 

right behind the stage on the Schmidlap event lawn

 

Oh wow! That was not there (or I just didn't see it) a couple weeks ago when I walked through that area! The progress down there is quick!

 

Today was the first that I've seen it on, so unless you knew it was there it'd be easy to miss. For reference, to the right of this picture is the elevator head house.

Ok, so anyone remember this image:

 

 

I have yet to see a carousel.

 

I want a carousel.

 

Phase 2.  West of the bridge.

^Drat. I'm actually really interested to see who they buy it from/what model it is. Working at an amusement park for several years has made me an ultimate dork.

@Cygnus:

 

I really appreciate you taking/posting these pictures from time to time. As a Cincinnati expat (returning soon though!) I really eat them up. Also, that fountain looks marvelous. For a huge chunk of my life, the area between GABP and PBS was a gigantic pile of dirt. Amazing.

>I want a carousel.

 

If you're up for some exploration, the 10-cent pony ride might still be in the abandoned Mt. Airy IGA. 

What's the timeline on phase 2? Is it funded yet?

>I want a carousel.

 

If you're up for some exploration, the 10-cent pony ride might still be in the abandoned Mt. Airy IGA. 

 

Let's do it.

10-cent is out of sight.  I remember when Meijer had them for 1-cent!

@Cygnus:

 

I really appreciate you taking/posting these pictures from time to time. As a Cincinnati expat (returning soon though!) I really eat them up. Also, that fountain looks marvelous. For a huge chunk of my life, the area between GABP and PBS was a gigantic pile of dirt. Amazing.

 

You're welcome! One more today with all fountains now on:

 

^ Any way you can post a larger version of that picture? It looks awesome but I can't make out anything.

 

It actually looks like a rendering at that resolution, lol.

@Cygnus:

 

I really appreciate you taking/posting these pictures from time to time. As a Cincinnati expat (returning soon though!) I really eat them up. Also, that fountain looks marvelous. For a huge chunk of my life, the area between GABP and PBS was a gigantic pile of dirt. Amazing.

 

You're welcome! One more today with all fountains now on:

 

 

Saw them lit up last night, absolutely gorgeous. Are they on all the time now?

^ Were they lit up with rainbow colors?

^Just blue both the times that I drove by.

Cool. I've only seen them in rainbow so far, so it's good to know they can/are switch(ing) it up.

^ Any way you can post a larger version of that picture? It looks awesome but I can't make out anything.

 

It actually looks like a rendering at that resolution, lol.

 

My bad, the Tapatalk app doesn't upload pics very well. I've updated the post with a larger version.

10-cent is out of sight.  I remember when Meijer had them for 1-cent!

 

Would that be a "Dayton Special?"

^^ Thanks. Wow, it is really coming together now. Just so exciting.

 

I wonder when NKY will step up their game. Imagine a companion park on the other side of the river, of similar quality. Either way...it's just so great to see this really panning out, simultaneously with all the other stuff going on. I don't know how much longer Cincinnati can be ignored or brushed aside by tourists and the national media. This park is going to be like a giant welcome mat.

Yes the KY riverfront does not get enough criticsm as far as coverage IMO.  Even prior to the Banks, Cincy's was so much prettier (at least a wall was built up in addition to Serpentine and Yeomans). I actually am not anti-KY pro Ohio by any stretch (I actually find NOTL fills a great family niche) but geez, let's hold off on the kentucky kudos untill they address the horrific river front area.

With 2 designated restaurant spaces in front of the Freedom center, why did the park designers feel they needed a restaurant on the Park grounds i.e. Morlein.  Was it so that a restaurant could specifically connect to an event lawn?  I guess my point is, why couldn't they have located Morlein (or whatever flagship park restaurant was chosen) in one of the spaces front of the Freedom Center and created more greenspace.  My fear is that with all;l the restaurants opening plus Morlein, those spaces will remain vacant....thoughts? 

With 2 designated restaurant spaces in front of the Freedom center, why did the park designers feel they needed a restaurant on the Park grounds i.e. Morlein.  Was it so that a restaurant could specifically connect to an event lawn?  I guess my point is, why couldn't they have located Morlein (or whatever flagship park restaurant was chosen) in one of the spaces front of the Freedom Center and created more greenspace.  My fear is that with all;l the restaurants opening plus Morlein, those spaces will remain vacant....thoughts? 

 

Central Riverfront Park and The Banks are two separate entities.  Revenue from Moerline will go to the Park Board. 

So!

 

Back to the park...  I saw the fountains were running a couple days ago.  Looked good! Really wish they would hurry up and open the park!! I think the Official opening of the steps isn't for 3 more weeks!

 

 

A bunch of nice photos from 5chw4r7z

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5chw4r7z/6948841950/#in/set-72157629470929029/

With 2 designated restaurant spaces in front of the Freedom center, why did the park designers feel they needed a restaurant on the Park grounds i.e. Morlein.  Was it so that a restaurant could specifically connect to an event lawn?  I guess my point is, why couldn't they have located Morlein (or whatever flagship park restaurant was chosen) in one of the spaces front of the Freedom Center and created more greenspace.  My fear is that with all;l the restaurants opening plus Morlein, those spaces will remain vacant....thoughts?

Moved the Freedom Center discussion here: Cincinnati: Downtown - National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Thank you.

 

I've heard Phase 2 funding is contingent on county, state or fed funds for a garage. Not likely on yhe next year or so :(

Thank you.

 

I've heard Phase 2 funding is contingent on county, state or fed funds for a garage. Not likely on yhe next year or so :(

 

Even if there's a few years between each phase of the Riverfront Park and The Banks opening, the progress is still impressive.  In a way it might be a good thing because there is always a "new" section of the park open every few years for the next decade or so.

But I want it NOWWWW.  haha

 

 

New video of the park is up... Cincy Parks Youtube Channel

Smale Riverfront Park—MID SPRING 2012 Construction Update

Thanks!  Love the updates.

Awesome, awesome, awesome. I just love how much effort is put into these update videos and the level of detail they go into. It really makes me realize how fortunate Cincinnati is to have so much wonderful stuff happening simultaneously!

I love the music.

May 6th I'm renting some bikes!  SO EXCITED!

Just looked up the new bike rental rates for Cincinnati bike center. The company that is managing it is charging more by about five dollars per rental in Cincinnati then they charge at their Santa Monica location. Dont the LA people usually have the higher rates??

Gah! And if no one rents them they will blame the market here.

 

Are the rentals hourly only?

What are the rates?

http://bikeandpark.com/city/cincinnati/ride-for-fun

 

Click the rates tab

 

I also just noticed that they have a "arts and parks" bike route that says from downtown, take reading to mt Adams. That sounds like a horrible idea for casual bikers looking for a relaxing scenic ride especially Gilbert has the bike lanes. Am I overthinking the chaos and difficulty of biking up Reading along the casino construction?

 

Someone on here who is an avid cyclist should really try their four suggested routes. If they're bad someone should let them know, I have a feeling they weren't designed by locals.

Well, even the Gilbert lanes are terrible. Going SB, the lanes begin just at the I-71 overpass and end immediately afterwards, and force you to merge with fast moving traffic from I-71 SB. Going NB, the lanes appear at the ramp to I-71 NB, and end at the top of the small hill. A cyclepath or the tapering of the merge lanes into a full stop (by doing a 45-degree approach to Gilbert) would be much safer.

Just looked up the new bike rental rates for Cincinnati bike center. The company that is managing it is charging more by about five dollars per rental in Cincinnati then they charge at their Santa Monica location. Dont the LA people usually have the higher rates??

 

For some types yes, but for the road bike it looks like it is $5 cheaper for a full day. Who knows how they come up with these pricing schemes. Perhaps since they expect a greater volume in Santa Monica they can charge less.

 

Edit: I mistyped - I meant to reference the comfort bike.

 

Well, even the Gilbert lanes are terrible. Going SB, the lanes begin just at the I-71 overpass and end immediately afterwards, and force you to merge with fast moving traffic from I-71 SB. Going NB, the lanes appear at the ramp to I-71 NB, and end at the top of the small hill. A cyclepath or the tapering of the merge lanes into a full stop (by doing a 45-degree approach to Gilbert) would be much safer.

 

Gilbert is definitely superior to Reading even with the lane issues. These lane abrupt stop and starts seem to be a common problem in Cincinnati. We need better contiguous routes - hopefully the increase in downtown bike rental options will lead to more downtown biking and will wake people up to the need for downtown bike lanes and better routes leaving CBD.

I just looked again, Santa Monica road bike is $55, cincinnati's is $60. That's a lot considering there's minimal bike infrastructure downtown.

That does seem kind of high!

May 6th I'm renting some bikes!  SO EXCITED!

 

Good luck with that.  The Flying Pig will make the area are madhouse all morning.

 

Still questioning the rationale of opening it on Flying Pig Sunday versus, say, Saturday.

That place is looking gooooooood!  Speaking for all out of towners, we need UO members out in full force for the grand opening taking lots of pics of the park and The Banks please!

Well, even the Gilbert lanes are terrible. Going SB, the lanes begin just at the I-71 overpass and end immediately afterwards, and force you to merge with fast moving traffic from I-71 SB. Going NB, the lanes appear at the ramp to I-71 NB, and end at the top of the small hill. A cyclepath or the tapering of the merge lanes into a full stop (by doing a 45-degree approach to Gilbert) would be much safer.

 

On this topic, Reading is somewhat terrifying to begin, as you have to go up the on ramp for 71 North/Reading, get in the middle, and then make your way down, where you will again be faced with merging traffic coming of 71 North on  your right. It feels like you are riding a freeway. Adding to that a rough ride up Reading and I can't see how anyone not being forced to take such a route would do so.  And why/how would anyone "take Reading to Mt. Adams"? That doesn't make any sense. I think it's a typo or something. The suggestion should be Gilbert to Eden Park and then up via the regular route.

So if I found myself at the park and wanted to bike down the trail and have lunch, i'd be out $30 bucks.

 

I think I'd just get a bike rack for my car lol.

 

 

I just looked again, Santa Monica road bike is $55, cincinnati's is $60. That's a lot considering there's minimal bike infrastructure downtown.

 

Did I say road bike? I meant comfort bike.

So if I found myself at the park and wanted to bike down the trail and have lunch, i'd be out $30 bucks.

 

I think I'd just get a bike rack for my car lol.

 

Looks like per hour rates are lower than that. $10 an hour for a "cruiser"

I was just at the Riverfront park checking out the place and decided to go for a morning bike ride.  I went down Riverside Dr to the Ohio River Trail then took the Lunken Loop back to Columbia Tusculum where I'm grabbing a quick drink before catching the bus back.  It's a pretty easy route and totally doable by renting a bike for the day rate.

>It feels like you are riding a freeway.

 

I was arrested while bicycling in 2005 because the officer suspected I was about to bike onto the interstate at 2am. It was one of those areas where they rebuilt the local road when they built the highway, so it looked like an on-ramp before you got to the actual on-ramp.  Also, it was a hillbilly cop.

 

As for Reading I just bike on the sidewalk on the southbound side.  I don't think I've ever seen anyone bike on the highway ramp side. 

So if I found myself at the park and wanted to bike down the trail and have lunch, i'd be out $30 bucks.

 

I think I'd just get a bike rack for my car lol.

 

Looks like per hour rates are lower than that. $10 an hour for a "cruiser"

 

I'm not going to go exploring on a rented bike and have lunch in 60 minutes.

 

If I only had 60 minutes to do that I'd just take the streetcar to OTR for two bucks!  :D

 

But seriously, if I were inclined to explore the park, I'd probably walk. If I were inclined to explore the city, I'd take the streetcar. If I were inclined to spend an afternoon on a bike in a city like Cincinnati, I'd probably already have one. Let's say I'm down with my significant other and a kid or two. At those rated I could expect to be out over $100 for the afternoon.