This may sound dumb but I would like to see an homage to the Public Landing.  Cobblestones!  Let's break some ankles!

A ‘beach’ at Smale Riverfront Park?

Nov 7, 2014, 6:53am EST

Chris Wetterich Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

A recent progress report video on Smale Riverfront Park got my attention when the project's manager, Dave Prather, talked about adding a beach along the Ohio River.

 

About 8 minutes into the video Prather talks about how the park's Great Lawn will slope down right to the river, an original feature of the park's 1998 master plan.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2014/11/a-beach-at-smale-riverfront-park.html

A couple photos from today of the western edge of the park.

Kinda dumb that a silt fence is required for a project like this, on the edge of the muddy river.  Like those silt fences really do anything anyway.

Look at all of that construction in the first photo.  It's all starting to come together.

Does anyone know if the glass curtain wall around the carousel will be operable or be accordion style like the one in Brooklyn? Walking by the other day it looked pretty permanent but I always thought it would open up on nice days.

It's nice to see that hideous patch of trees gone on the side of the bridge.

I think in one of the videos he said its supposed to open up.

In the first pic, I'm amused to see that the old one lane tunnel is still intact hiding in the lower right of the frame.  Wonder what its future is?  It seemed that it was originally a pedestrian access - and a creepy one at that.  You could see at some point the removed the poles that kept vehicles.  I remember for basically a whole season in the mid 90s we parked for free virtually in Riverfront Stadium because you could access this tunnel by car during low water on the Ohio. 

So Covington is going to build a Libeskind-designed residential tower at the foot of the Roebling Bridge, and Cincinnati's laying sod?  Just kidding, I'm looking forward to seeing the plans for the park. Anything's gotta be better than the asphalt and garbage-strewn bank we have down there now.

 

^ Kendall I have to agree with you on that.  Although sadly while these renderings offer nothing spectacular, we all know even this modest project will not be completed to look like the first rendering.

 

As usual, the first page of this thread is quite entertaining. Lots of skepticism and speculation.

 

The prescience award goes to edale.

In the first pic, I'm amused to see that the old one lane tunnel is still intact hiding in the lower right of the frame.  Wonder what its future is?  It seemed that it was originally a pedestrian access - and a creepy one at that.  You could see at some point the removed the poles that kept vehicles.  I remember for basically a whole season in the mid 90s we parked for free virtually in Riverfront Stadium because you could access this tunnel by car during low water on the Ohio.

 

Didn't CFD have a dock at the end of this tunnel at one point?

In the first pic, I'm amused to see that the old one lane tunnel is still intact hiding in the lower right of the frame.  Wonder what its future is?  It seemed that it was originally a pedestrian access - and a creepy one at that.  You could see at some point the removed the poles that kept vehicles.  I remember for basically a whole season in the mid 90s we parked for free virtually in Riverfront Stadium because you could access this tunnel by car during low water on the Ohio.

 

Didn't CFD have a dock at the end of this tunnel at one point?

 

Yeah, I vaguely remember that. 

 

So Covington is going to build a Libeskind-designed residential tower at the foot of the Roebling Bridge, and Cincinnati's laying sod?  Just kidding, I'm looking forward to seeing the plans for the park. Anything's gotta be better than the asphalt and garbage-strewn bank we have down there now.

 

^ Kendall I have to agree with you on that.  Although sadly while these renderings offer nothing spectacular, we all know even this modest project will not be completed to look like the first rendering.

 

As usual, the first page of this thread is quite entertaining. Lots of skepticism and speculation.

 

The prescience award goes to edale.

 

lol I'll take it! I have been very impressed with the execution and quality of this park.

My quote from 2005 was in reference to the original designs. Funny that most of them have vanished from the internet. Here are some of the original renderings of the Banks and the Riverfront Park.

The Carol Ann Carousel is coming along really nicely. I can't wait to see how it looks illuminated at night.

Yea thats gonna be really nice, thanks for the pics.

A lot of activity down on the riverfront... it's gonna be a busy spring and early summer! Dates for opening ceremonies of various aspects of Smale have been announced: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/01/12/cincinnati-smale-park-carousel-opening-announced/21655427/

 

Heekin Family/PNC Grow up Great Adventure Playground - May 9

Sue & Joe Pichler Family Fountains - May 12

Annie W. & Elizabeth M. Anderson Pavilion - May 14

Carol Ann's Carousel - May 16

P&G Go VibrantScape - June 4

Gardner Family Grove & Rose Garden - June 17

Castellini Esplanade - June 20

Sod is being laid for the Great Lawn on the western portion of Riverfront Park:

From January 18th:

 

 

 

According to Chris Seelbach's (via Facebook) Willie Carden has secured financing (private donations) for a new "Portland Loo" at the Castellini Esplanade.  I asked him why they were putting one directly across the street from some public restrooms and he said that this "Loo" will replace the more expensive public restrooms in the original park plan.

 

 

According to Chris Seelbach's (via Facebook) Willie Carden has secured financing (private donations) for a new "Portland Loo" at the Castellini Esplanade.  I asked him why they were putting one directly across the street from some public restrooms and he said that this "Loo" will replace the more expensive public restrooms in the original park plan.

 

 

 

Saved the park something like $170,000 and will be open for 24 hours a day instead of the 8-10 or so hours for the original plan

This is desperately needed. I was walking across the Roebling Bridge and saw a pile of...solid human waste. Homeless people need somewhere to use the bathroom.

 

Since the Portland Loo concept was made into a controversial issue by the anti-city crowd, hopefully the Parks Board can help out and install a few of these in parks across the city.

It would be on the end of the Castellini Esplanade near the Bengals stadium.  That means it will be there for Bengals tailgaiters as well, where I'm certain many have to go at least once during a 4 hour tailgate...

Is this section of the park open 24 hours? Or is the whole park open 24 hours?

Park is not open 24 hours.  The restroom will be in the park, but at the sidewalk (like the waterfountains are).

This is desperately needed. I was walking across the Roebling Bridge and saw a pile of...solid human waste. Homeless people need somewhere to use the bathroom.

 

Since the Portland Loo concept was made into a controversial issue by the anti-city crowd, hopefully the Parks Board can help out and install a few of these in parks across the city.

 

Unfortunately, that is VERY common on the Roebling.  I don't know if it's a lack of other options though. I think someone just likes ruining something that people enjoy. I support having the portland loo installed near the park, regardless.

LMAO...so Cincinnati Parks gave us our next video update on Smale Riverfront park:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X23LL-Fg2o8

Hilarious video.

 

Interesting (unrelated to the Loo) that they're starting to call it simply "Smale Park" as opposed to "Smale Riverfront Park". I expect most people to simply call it "Riverfront Park"... but we'll see.

 

I heard Chris Seelbach talk last night, and there are apparently a bunch of people still riled up about these "$100,000 toilets". Good grief, get over it people. In addition to the fact that these facilities will be used by people of all colors and classes who are visiting the park, we need to acknowledge that fact that homeless people have bodily functions and need somewhere to go.

 

I heard Chris Seelbach talk last night, and there are apparently a bunch of people still riled up about these "$100,000 toilets". Good grief, get over it people. In addition to the fact that these facilities will be used by people of all colors and classes who are visiting the park, we need to acknowledge that fact that homeless people have bodily functions and need somewhere to go.

...and the fact that the funds were donated and this is actually saving tax dollars. Those people really need to chill the F out.

This type of facility is way less expensive than a traditional restroom would be... it allows donated funds to go further and build out the park more.

 

But people need something to complain about.

^Also, no one has any idea what a traditional restroom costs, so there's no number for them to latch on to.  Kind of like how people were PO'd about the streetcar and didn't say peep about the various road projects in the area that are far more expensive.

"Dianne and J. David Rosenberg have donated $750,000 to add more swings when the second phase of construction is complete at the $120 million park."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/02/10/more-swings-coming-to-smale-cincinnati-riverside-park/23167397/

Those swings are one of the best parts of Downtown. There's a reason they're always full. I'm so glad to hear there will be more of them.

chicago gets millenium park.

 

we get grass.

 

sounds about right.

 

It's amazing what a decade can do towards perception. It's also amazing how well this park is turning out and how all doubts about it have been quelled as more and more features come online.

?

Oh yes, the more swings the better! The swings in the summer time while eating orange leaf and watching the Friday night fireworks after a reds game is about as perfect as cincinnati gets.(open containers aren't legal yet down there, so there is still room for improvement)

Get a sneak peek at the hand-painted scenes on Smale Park’s carousel

Mar 2, 2015, 7:29am EST

Erin Caproni Digital Producer- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

As the opening of Smale Riverfront Park's carousel on May 16 nears, more glimpses at the artwork that will cover it have been coming to light.

 

Local artist Jonathan Queen has been creating hand-painted panels for the carousel that include an interesting look at Cincinnati's landmarks.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/03/get-a-sneak-peek-at-the-hand-painted-scenes-on.html

Late Winter/Early Spring 2015 Construction Update

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7fmHpU-78k

Ain't no early spring going on up in here...

Did he say "Oinkathompter?"

They were removing these polls at lunch...

Is my memory correct in saying that this is to make way for a canopy they originally didn't have the funding for that was supposed to go in the spot of those poles?

I'm going to guess that parts of the park are going to be delayed a little due to being partially under water...

The Carousel is coming along nicely. I just wish that the glass curtain walls on the north and south facades were outside the support columns, like they are on the east and west facades.

 

The flooded river has receded from the park and I'm surprised by how good everything appears. I was worried the recently planted sod was going to be washed away by the flood.

Is my memory correct in saying that this is to make way for a canopy they originally didn't have the funding for that was supposed to go in the spot of those poles?

 

Your memory was correct:

Nice. I like a lot of the thematic elements in Smale as it ties the park into the river without being overly blatant and corny. These canopies are both attractive and achieve that quality.

 

I still can't get over how world class this park is. Parks are some of my favorite places in any city I travel to and I'm always taken aback by how bad most major cities' parks are and how much nicer Cincinnati's really are than the vast majority of parks out there. Smale would be a massive hit in any city.

I was dissapointed to see that there is not accordion walls or retractable glazing on the outside like the carousel in Brooklyn. Instead it is typical aluminum storefront with a couple double doors placed in the wall. This kind of sucks for really nice weather days to be in a an indoor glass building, this is more like the glass enclosed carousel at the Florence mall than Brooklyn bridge park. I've loved everything about this park so far but this just seems like a cheap decision. (And yes I know nanawalls are very expensive)

From the begining I thought a Ferris wheel would be cooler and appeal to a wider audience... But I digress

I was dissapointed to see that there is not accordion walls or retractable glazing on the outside like the carousel in Brooklyn. Instead it is typical aluminum storefront with a couple double doors placed in the wall. This kind of sucks for really nice weather days to be in a an indoor glass building, this is more like the glass enclosed carousel at the Florence mall than Brooklyn bridge park. I've loved everything about this park so far but this just seems like a cheap decision. (And yes I know nanawalls are very expensive)

From the begining I thought a Ferris wheel would be cooler and appeal to a wider audience... But I digress

I agree... I'm afraid the Carousel will be beautiful to look at from the outside, but on the inside it might just feel claustrophobic with hundreds of screaming kids and all the noise just bouncing off the glass walls. Also, at night, if you're inside, you won't be able enjoy the views of the river since the glass will reflect all that interior light. It would have been nice to at least make the southern wall retractable to take advantage of the views and let noise escape.

^I wouldn't worry about any of that. When Jane's Carousel isn't open to the outside it doesn't suffer from any of that. No reason to believe this will be much, if any, different.

 

Though I do wish the walls would open as well. It's a shame there wasn't the budget for that.