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The time: 10: 00 a.m., Monday, September 29, 2008.
The place: Downtown Cincinnati at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
The event: The groundbreaking for Cincinnati Riverfront Park— the new 45-acre "front yard" for the City adjacent to The Banks development.
The feeling: Indescribable.

There are truly few words that can be used to describe the energy, enthusiasm and emotion that was evident throughout the crowd of over 300 people who gathered under a large white tent—on a morning filled with brilliant sunshine—to witness the historic groundbreaking of Cincinnati Riverfront Park. After all, this was a “moment in time” that was 10 years in the making.

It was in 1998 that the Cincinnati Park Board began to seek the input of citizen stake-holders at a series of public meetings and focus groups—asking participants what they would like to see most in a new downtown riverfront park. The result of their input —gathered in public meetings throughout the decade—was evident in the stunning final design renderings that had been placed throughout the tent. (Sasaki Associates, a world-renowned landscape architecture firm, created the park’s design.)

Following a stirring rendition of “One Moment in Time”, performed by P. Ann Everson Price, Cincinnati Parks Director Willie F. Carden, Jr. welcomed the gathering on behalf of the Park Board, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the State of Ohio and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Carden went on to laud the new park as a dynamic economic engine for the region and a brand new “people’s park, because its design focuses on the concept of inclusion –—a park for all people, from different cultures, with different abilities—and one that people of all ages can enjoy!” Carden introduced designers Mark Dawson and Alastair McIntosh of Sasaki Associates who discussed their approach to designing the new park. “It is about reconnecting the downtown to the river’s edge—and the city to its heritage,” they noted.

Mayor Mark Mallory offered his congratulations to the Cincinnati Park Board for providing the vision and leadership to create this unique, sustainable park—“a vital investment in the green infrastructure of our region,” he said.
“This is a great day for the City of Cincinnati,” Ohio Governor Ted Strickland told the enthusiastic crowd. “This park is an example of how partnership among local, federal and state governments, along with the private sector, can fulfill the economic vision for the region, while providing a new public green edge to one of the region's greatest assets — the Ohio River.”

Attendees were also greeted by State Representative Dale Mallory, who observed that the day would not have been possible without the early support of previous Mayors, Park Commissioners, City Council members, City Managers, civic leaders, State and Federal representatives, Senators and Hamilton County Commissioners. Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune also offered his congratulations, observing that the new park will recast the riverfront and create a spectacular new green setting for the region's residents, workers, shoppers and visitors.

Funding for the park is coming from a variety of City, State and Federal sources and also includes a major private fundraising campaign, which has already raised over $6 million. Cincinnati Parks Foundation President Pat Ward thanked those who have stepped forward to provide financial support for the park. Ward said that the private dollars will be used to build the park’s unique features—elements that are not likely to be funded through the other sources.
Finally, Park Board Vice-President Roscoe Fultz and Park Commission Otto Budig gave the order to “Dig It!”. And with that, officials and citizens alike took trowels in hand and began to turn the dirt to mark the official start of park construction.

The park will be constructed in five phases. When completed, it will feature unique playgrounds, boat docks, expansive lawns, a carousel, floral gardens, a bike trail, walkways, tree groves, a river edge promenade, dramatic water features like cascades, fountains and waterfalls, and restaurants and cafes. The park will also feature works of art and will be designed to be universally accessible and sustainable.

Phase I will include a plaza of water jets with cascades of water that drop to pools along Mehring Way. There will be a grand stairway with landings at water-filled basins, a glass-floored walkway above a lower level loggia, a shade trellis, informational and interpretive displays, and public restrooms. Also part of the design is an event lawn and stage, a promenade, a restaurant, a tree grove and labyrinth, an adventure playground and part of the Ohio River bike trail. The park will also feature a bike center.

(Congressional representatives Steve Chabot and Jean Schmidt —along with U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown—were scheduled to attend the ceremonies, but had to remain in Washington to vote on the economic rescue measure.)

For more information on Cincinnati Riverfront Park, visit www.CRPark.org.

Tags: Cincinnati, Park, Riverfront