Beat the Heat and Walk the Creek

By: Mahnoor Qadir and EllieAna Shanklin

Beat the heat and walk the creek with Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance and Anderson Township as they explore Forestlake Drive to Eight Mile Road Greenway! The 1.6-mile hike will take place on July 22 from 3:00-4:30 pm.

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From a Local Initiative to a Regional Success: The History of Anderson’s Greenspace

Established in 1990, Anderson Township’s Greenspace Program was created in response to growing community interest in protecting the Township’s natural landscapes from development and preserving the environmental features that contribute to residents’ quality of life. What began as a local conservation initiative has evolved into one of the region’s most extensive municipal land preservation programs. Through strategic land acquisition, stewardship, and partnerships with residents, conservation organizations, and community volunteers, the Township has protected more than 780 acres of forests, wetlands, stream corridors, floodplains, and other ecologically significant habitats across over 72 land parcels.

The program serves multiple purposes beyond conservation. Protected greenspaces help improve water quality, reduce flooding, support wildlife habitat, and maintain the scenic character that defines much of Anderson Township. Many sites also provide opportunities for passive recreation, environmental education, and community engagement through hiking, nature observation, invasive species removal, and volunteer stewardship activities. By balancing environmental protection with public access, the Greenspace Program reflects Anderson Township’s long-standing commitment to preserving natural resources while ensuring these landscapes remain a valuable community asset for future generations.

Restoration & Recreation 

Forestlake is one of the many parcels preserved through Anderson Township’s Greenspace Program. It is a wooded natural area in Anderson Township that provides stormwater management functions and recreation opportunities. The four properties that comprise this northeastern area corridor between Forest Lake Drive and Eight Mile Road include a Greenspace parcel acquired in the 1990s, a privately held parcel designated as open space through a mid-2000s rezoning, and two parcels formerly owned by Hamilton County.

The creek corridor consists of wooded hillsides that protect wildlife, mature trees, and the creek’s water quality. Both ends of this greenway property have grassy areas along the meandering creek, and a narrow creek corridor lies between undisturbed wooded hillsides.

As we mindfully traverse through the creek corridor, make sure to keep your eye out for wildlife!

Learn More About the Fellows!

This Meet a Greenspace Hike is an initiative of two Green Umbrella Climate Action Fellows: Mahnoor Qadir, the Anderson Township Climate Action Fellow, and EllieAna Shanklin, the Greenspace Alliance Climate Action Fellow. Learn more about the two fellows below.

Mahnoor Qadir

Hello! My name is Mahnoor Qadir, and I am honoured to be working as a Climate Action Fellow for Anderson Township. With a background in environmental consulting and sustainability, I am passionate about working with communities to create healthier, more resilient places. I graduated with a Master’s in Environmental Assessment and Management from the UK in January 2020. I moved to Cincinnati in August 2024 and have been learning about the amazing work being done in the climate space around the region. Over the summer, I will be supporting Anderson in their comprehensive plan, especially to integrate climate resilience and sustainability with their Greenspace Program. I will also be working on the various open spaces and greenspaces to help the community connect and increase accessibility/recreational value.

EllieAna Shanklin

Hello! My name is EllieAna Shanklin, and I have the pleasure of working as the Greenspace Alliance Climate Action Fellow for the summer. While not a Cincinnati native, I’ve lived in Cincinnati for most of my life, and am continuously inspired by the plethora of climate-forward organizations and initiatives in the region. I graduated from Ohio University in May 2025 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Spanish. This summer, one of my projects includes making greenspace policy recommendations for community comprehensive plans throughout the tri-state area in an effort to improve greenspace access and conservation practices. This work is so important to advancing our region’s climate action goals, including social cohesion, flood mitigation, and air quality improvements.

Join us at Forestlake and Wandering Monsters Brewing!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Forestlake Hike! The hike will take place on Wednesday from 3:00-4:30 pm and will be guided by staff from Anderson Township and Green Umbrella. We will meet at the Forestlake access point at the end of Forestlake Drive (off Clough Pike) and Eight Mile Road near Stoney Ridge Drive. There will be street parking available. Please avoid parking in the cul-de-sac or blocking residents’ driveways.

This is an out-and-back 1.6-mile hike that will be moderate to strenuous. There are no steep sections except for a stream crossing with a high bank. About 1,000 feet of the hike will be in a creek bed with up to 8 inches of water, depending on weather conditions*. Please dress appropriately and bring water (and snacks, if you need them). This will be an opportunity to learn about the Greenway, Anderson Township’s Greenspace program, and brainstorm about the future of this corridor.

This hike is part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope these hikes will provide those who join the time and space they need to reconnect with nature. If you have any questions, contact Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson at claire@greenumbrella.org. 

If you want to connect further with Anderson Township or Green Umbrella, join us for our July Green Drinks at Wandering Monsters Brewing from 5:00-7:00 pm immediately following the hike!

*Please note that much of this hike is a creek walk with slippery rocks and flowing water. Appropriate footwear is recommended, and trekking poles may be beneficial for balance. Please consider the risks of this type of terrain when deciding whether to participate.