LET'S DIG IN. AYEAR@CINCINNATIPARKS ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 LETTER FROM OUR BOARD This year, perhaps more than any in recent history, reminds us just how important the role the Cincinnati parks and programs play in our mental and physical well-being. As the world shuts down, we were proud to keep our parks and trails open and safe for everyone to enjoy. And enjoy they did. All spring and summer we saw huge numbers of park visitors from all walks of life and at all times of day. This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our dedicated team of park professionals, who in the face of massive COVID 19 related workforce reductions, kept safe and informed while enjoying their parks. We were also fortunate to rely on the continued strong support of Mayor John Cranley, City Council and City Manager to keep our gates open as we learned quickly how to navigate a challenging time. BRAD LINDNER JAMES GOETZ President Vice President I am glad to report that before and after the initial impact of COVID, we were able to complete a number of projects including partnering with the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance to open a new multi-use bike trail in Mt. Airy, working in new ways with volunteers to clear harmful invasive plants from our forests, renovating parks in the heart of Westwood and Hyde Park, safely offering in-person and virtual nature education experiences, and, as you will see in the following pages, so much more. I appreciate your taking the time to review our annual report to see for yourself how busy we have been maintaining and improving your award-winning Cincinnati Parks, ranked 5th of all cities in the nation by the Trust for Public Land. Volunteers working on Mt. Airy Bike Trails Mt. Airy Arboretum We of course cannot do this alone. As they say it, ‘takes a village’ and there is no doubt we have Krohn Conservatory Holiday Show one of the best. On behalf of the Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners, we thank our City leadership, staff, volunteers, partners at the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and each and every person who takes advantage of our parks, programs and amenities for another fantastic year. SUSAN F. CASTELLINI KEVIN FLYNN LINDA LEE THOMAS With Gratitude, Brad Lindner, President Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners DID YOU KNOW? The Board of Park Commissioners is comprised of exceptional community and corporate leaders appointed by the Mayor. The Board of five Commissioners volunteer their time and talents in support of our mutual commitment to continued care and maintenance of Cincinnati Parks. Additional volunteerism by the Board includes: participation in ceremonies, presentations to business and community councils, public speaking engagements, and attending Park Board meetings. PG 4-5 JULY TO SEPTEMBER IN PARKS PARTNERS IN PARKS COMMUNITY IMPACT People flocked to their local parks in celebration of Independence Day, and afterwards one park caught the eye of local news due to the overwhelming trash left behind. Trays of left over food and firework debris covered Nassau Park. Unbeknownst to news crews covering a story of disappointment and frustration, our very own Angie Carloss, Service Crew Leader, and her team changed the narrative after seeing the trash on the morning of July 5th. Even though Nassau Park wasn’t directly under her team’s responsibility, in one morning Angie, her team, and a group of Green Leaf workers cleaned all of Nassau Park, gathering 17 full garbage bags of trash. Cincinnati Parks Angie Carloss When the Local news showed up to report on the trashed park they were shocked and amazed the Nassau Park after 4th of July mess was cleaned up so quickly. And bettering Nassau didn’t stop there, Angie approached Parks Leadership and expressed her vision of how to make the park more safe, welcoming, and fun for the Walnut Hills community. A new partnership between Cincinnati Recreation Commission resulted, and the vision inspired multiple volunteer outings with the help of the Walnut Hills community to improve the park. One event brought together the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, the UC Men’s Basketball team, and local businesses Certified Excellence & GrindFit. Along with kids from the community they painted backboards and removed brush from the fence line and areas of the park. Nassau Park has been activated with laughing neighborhood kids shooting hoops and playing ACTIVATING NASSAU PARK games. Cincinnati Parks is grateful for Angie and her team for their leadership and passion, and all of the community volunteers for their efforts to create a better park for all. UC Men’s Basketball Team Joins Kids and Community Members to Fix up Park & Basketball Courts University of Cincinnati Day of Service JULY TO SEPTEMBER IN PARKS GAME ON! NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH Cincinnati Parks joined in the fun of National Park and Recreation month and the GAME ON! theme. To celebrate, we held a month-long scavenger hunt allowed anyone to find different game equipment hidden in Cincinnati Parks. Hints were given on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) allowing participants to go out and claim their prize. The first to find the gear got to take it home. The prizes highlighted fun things those of all ages and abilities can do in the parks including Frisbees, basketballs, ping pong sets, and much more. The campaign caught the eye of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association who awarded Cincinnati Nassau Park Day of Service included Explore Nature! Education Program & Children from the Community Parks with a second place 2020 Award of Excellence. GREAT OUTDOOR WEEKEND PARTNERSHIP NATURE EDUCATION Cincinnati Parks staff was excited to provide programming during The Great Outdoor Weekend. Local Walnut Hills Business Owners (left to right) Moses Brown, owner of Certified Excellence & Hosted by the Green Umbrella Regional Sustainability Alliance, typical the third weekend in Julius Adams, owner of Grind Hard Fitness September this annual outdoor event features a sampler for the Greater Cincinnati region. Children Nassau Park Playground Newly Mulched and adults participated at eight Cincinnati Parks locations with activities such as introduction to orienteering, canoe and basic boat building, and stories by a campfire at California Woods Nature Center. AWARDS & ACCOLADES CONNECT WITH US! TH DIRECTOR OF PARKS CUSTOMER SERVICE We are an energized Kara S. Kish 513-357-4079 Stop in: 950 Eden Park Drive | Cincinnati, OH 45202 Call us: 513-357-2604 DEPUTY DIRECTOR team who values keeping BEST PARK SYSTEM Our social tribe: Connect with us on Jenny Mobley 513-352-6180 Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @CincyParks Cincinnati's parks clean, Oversight: Park Maintenance, Krohn Conservatory, Message us: Send your feedback online at 5 IN THE Facility Maintenance, Special Events & Permits https://www.cincinnatiparks.com/customer-service/ beautiful, reliable, NATION BUSINESS SERVICES FACILITY RENTALS & QUESTIONS enriching, green, safe, Rocky Merz 513-357-2619 Visit www.cincinnatiparks.com for 24/7 booking access BEST PARK Oversight: Communications, Public Relations, and open to everyone. Website, Social Media, Graphic Design, Centralized PARK ADVISORY COUNCILS Serpentine Wall at Sawyer Point Business Operations, Volunteerism, Customer Service 513-357-2604 IN OHIO & Reservation of Park Facilities TREE CITY USA PREMIER PARK EVENTS SOCIAL AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS ALLOW US TO INTERACT NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 513-221-2610 DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC USING #CINCYPARKS Crystal Courtney 513-861-9070 Event Rentals for: Carol Ann's Carousel, Krohn Conservatory, GROWTH Oversight: Urban Forestry, Greenspace, French House, Gibson House, Ault Park Pavilion, Alms Park Land and Wildlife Management, & Explore Nature! Pavilion, Berry Pavilion, Mt. Echo Pavilion, Maple Ridge AWARD Lodge, The Anderson Pavilion, and Oak Ridge Lodge PLANNING & DESIGN 41,500 31,100 Steve Schuckman 513-475-9600 BEST IN CINCY Cincinnati Parks team members in July at National Parks & Recreation Game On! Kickball Game against Cincinnati Recreation Commission FOLLOWERS FOLLOWERS Oversight: Park Structures, Plans & Designs, Infrastructure and Landscape, Capital Projects, & Special Projects FINANCIAL SERVICES Craig Sherman 513-357-2608 Oversight: Budget, State & Federal Grant Programs, Restricted Fund Endowments, Procurement, YEARS Telecommunications, & Automated Systems TREE CITY USA HUMAN RESOURCES RECOGNITION Y. Laketa Cole 513-357-2605 37 VOLUNTEER WITH US! Christyl Johnson-Roberts 513-240-5735 33,900 810,873 FOLLOWERS PAGE VIEWS @coles_8412 @thepoodlelady @a.dane.called.ove @thepoodlelady @donnellyd11 @chocolatepaperstudios @iamjasminerae JULY TO SEPTEMBER IN PARKS PARTNERS IN PARKS COMMUNITY IMPACT Cincinnati Parks, the City of Cincinnati, and partner organization Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) opened the first 1.4-mile section of the new Mt. Airy Multi-Use Trail, which includes mountain biking. The project was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony including Mayor John Cranley, Park Board Commissioners, CORA, and Mt. Airy community. The construction of this off-road bike and multi-use trail is the result of a successful partnership with CORA. The trail was built and will be maintained with volunteer labor. This is the first off-road bike trail in Cincinnati Parks. Park Board Commissioner President Brad Lindner said, “It’s been a long hard climb to get a mountain bike trail in the city. I want to thank the Mayor for his support and encouragement as well as CORA who represents an ideal partnership where under used space and volunteer work has turned this into something special.” CORA members on the trail “As a Mt. Airy resident I can’t be happier to see our park being used. The Mayor Cranley, Commissioner Lindner, Commissioner Goetz, and Commissioner Flynn at Mt Airy Forest Bike Trail Opening sweat equity that has gone into this is what all our parks need. We need all people to care for our parks. You are really shining up the gem for us.” – Park Board Commissioner Kevin Flynn.