Contributors: Claire Carlson, Nicole Clements

Nestled in a valley between subdivisions and a railroad, Brushy Fork Nature Preserve stands as a testament to the power of vision and collaboration. Join us for this month’s hike and explore the oasis between the sprawl!

Join the Banklick Watershed Council and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Brushy Fork Nature Preserve on Thursday, September 17, from 3-4:30 PM.

Note: This hike was originally on Friday, February 20th, from 3-4:30 PM and was postponed.

When Fate Intervenes

In Northern Kentucky, suburban development has become increasingly common. Hillsides are cleared, ridges leveled, and sediment fills the valleys, covering streams, destroying habitats, and disrupting local ecosystems. Fortunately, fate had something different in store for Brushy Fork Nature Preserve.

Located in the heart of suburbia, this 104-acre property offers a rare retreat into natural beauty. This nature preserve features wetlands, forested hillsides, and Brushy Fork Creek, a tributary of Banklick Creek and the Ohio River.

The land was originally slated for subdivision development, but in the early 2000s, the Banklick Watershed Council met with the developer to discuss the potential ecological impacts. Although the land was not preserved at that time, the meeting helped establish a lasting relationship with the owners and laid the groundwork for future conservation efforts.

In 2014, the Banklick Watershed Council (BWC) successfully purchased the first section of the nature preserve along Brushy Fork Creek, which had already been protected as a conservation easement. While this was a huge win, the BWC knew that much of the land was still at risk. In early 2019, BWC received a call asking if they were still interested in purchasing the remaining part of the property. Due to a series of fortunate circumstances, they were able to acquire the land within the year!

Shifts and Returns

Stepping onto the property, it is easy to feel as though you have been transported elsewhere. As you descend the sloping hillside into the valley below, noises from the outside world fade into the background. During the warmer months, families from nearby communities enjoy taking a dip in the creek, hunting for fossils, or having a picnic along the banks. Old-growth trees tower overhead, while spring ephemerals cover the forest floor as winter warms to spring.

Although Brushy Fork is now preserved in perpetuity, the landscape shows marks from past changes. Years ago, Banklick Creek was rerouted, dramatically changing the area’s ecosystem. At a lookout point along the northwest edge of the property near the railroad tracks, visitors can see a picturesque view of the creek. A closer look, however, reveals eroding hillsides—evidence of the lack of access to its natural floodplain. The site is a good case study on the dramatic changes that can occur in a natural system when a stream is rerouted.

Even with these drastic changes, the Banklick Watershed Council and its many partners are working to protect this hidden paradise and revive the natural systems that previously existed here.

Explore Brushy Fork!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hike at Brushy Fork Nature Preserve! The hike will take place on Friday, February 20th, from 3-4:30 PM and will be guided by the Banklick Watershed Council. We will meet at 10463 Canberra Dr., Independence, KY 41051. Pull down the gravel driveway, and you will find a parking lot behind the houses. If parking is full, you may park on the street – please do not block residents’ driveways. Note: these are undeveloped trails and are rough/steep in places. Trails may be muddy, so please wear appropriate footwear.

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.

The Greenspace Alliance would like to thank its sponsors, Duke Energy and the Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, for making this hiking series possible!

Curious about Cardinal Land Conservancy’s new Preserve? What about meeting a scientist in real life? If either of these statements rings true to you, join the Greenspace Alliance, Cardinal Land Conservancy, and the Center for Collaboration on Climate and Community for Health (C4H) for their Meet A Greenspace Hike at Westmark Woods!

Join the Greenspace Alliance, Cardinal Land Conservancy, and C4H for this month’s Meet A Greenspace Hike on Thursday, August 13, from 8:00-9:30 am at Cardinal’s Westmark Woods!

From Unwanted to Preserved

Like many wooded areas nestled between houses and businesses, Westmark Woods was once a vacant lot on the market awaiting a buyer. The 25-acre property had major development challenges, including sloping hills, deep bedrock, and soils prone to landslides, making it costly to build houses or commercial businesses. Lucky for us, the previous landowner, Mark, purchased the property in 2014. Initially, he considered building a house on one of the higher ridges in the wooded area, but eventually concluded that the best use of the property would be to preserve the woods in perpetuity!

The journey to long-term protection began when he met with the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. There, he was connected with a program called the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, more commonly known as EQIP. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns. Landowners and producers will work one-on-one with NRCS staff to develop a conservation plan that outlines practices and activities to solve the issues they face. Often, it provides financial incentives to these individuals to help support them as they begin implementing conservation practices.

With support from EQIP, Mark restored the woods by clearing undergrowth, reopening old trails, and planting over 300 trees. In 2021, he partnered with Cardinal Land Conservancy, using the Clean Ohio Program to transfer the property and start creating a public nature preserve. Cardinal’s stewardship team built a one-mile loop trail, added bridges over creeks, and removed invasive honeysuckle. In 2025, Cardinal purchased an additional 2.5 acres from neighboring landowners Tina and David, owners of the adjacent Cincinnati Dance and Movement Center, to add a parking lot and trailhead. Now, Mark enjoys guiding visitors through the preserve, proudly pointing out the trees he planted. If you look hard enough, you’ll spot his favorite one – an American Chestnut! While this is not the chestnut tree of the past, it is a hybrid developed by The American Chestnut Foundation in hopes of reviving the once-prolific American tree. Along with the West Fork of Mill Creek, it’s just one reason this property is so special.

C4H: Connecting Climate and Health in Cincinnati

The Center for Collaboration on Climate and Community for Health is a new research center at the University of Cincinnati that opened in 2024. Often referred to as C4H, the Center focuses on understanding and reducing the health impacts of climate-related exposures and events on populations including first responders, outdoor workers, pregnant women, children, and senior citizens. As climate exposures worsen, cities and the urban and suburban sprawl that forms around them will be subject to these impacts at higher levels. These communities often lack natural features like forests and native greenspaces that help mitigate the impacts from heat, air pollution, and storm events that are becoming more prevalent and extreme.

This Meet A Greenspace Hike will connect participants with scientists working to protect human health in a changing climate. Representatives from C4H will share how their work impacts individuals at regional and national scales and will focus on the topic of mental health as well as its connection to climate. This event will also offer hikers the opportunity to share concerns they have about the intersection of health and climate exposures.

Explore Westmark Woods!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming hike with Cardinal Land Conservancy and C4H! The hike will take place on Thursday, August 13, from 8:00-9:30 am. It will be guided by staff from Cardinal Land Conservancy along with members of C4H. We will meet in the parking lot of Westmark Woods located at 872 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45231.

This hike is part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope these hikes will provide 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.

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.

Shaped by ancient glaciers, Cincinnati’s hillsides stand as both prominent and delicate features of our region’s landscape. Discover the Goltra Preserve and uncover the history and collaborative partnerships that have secured public access to this unique natural treasure.

Join Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA), The Hillside Trust, and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Goltra Preserve on Thursday, June 11, from 3-4:30 PM.

Shaped by Glaciers

Nestled among the Ohio River Valley’s rolling terrain is our vibrant city of Cincinnati. For thousands of years, people have made this region their home, adapting to its steep and hilly landscape. Known as the “City of Seven Hills”, Cincinnati’s hillsides are our most iconic feature. But they are also one of our most vulnerable.

During the Pleistocene Ice Age, glaciers and their snowmelt flowed across the continent, sculpting the river valleys and hillsides that now define our region. It’s easy to assume that a landscape forged by such forces would be resilient, but in reality, our hillsides are surprisingly fragile and susceptible to natural disasters like landslides.

As the population grew, so did the need for land to build on. As a result, many set their sights on the ridgetops. The picturesque views of the river valley and the sloping hills beyond the water’s edge made those locations appealing to people. To build on these hills, trees and other vegetation were removed. This process exposed the rocks and sediment that were deposited and compacted by glaciation. The minerals in these rock and sediment deposits get weaker when exposed, especially to water, and eventually become mud. As mud builds up on hillsides, it tends to fall in what is known as a landslide.

According to a 2022 news article by WVXU, the City of Cincinnati has spent $113,949,097 repairing landslide-damaged roads and retaining walls since 1989. A cost that has most likely increased over the past four years.

Partnerships Protecting Hillsides

The Hillside Trust is an organization that advocates for the thoughtful use of our hillsides. Much of their work focuses on consulting with municipalities and government planning commissions on regulations that impact hillside development and preservation. They support long-range planning efforts in communities, help create and pass ordinances for view protection, and, among many other things, work with private landowners, especially those on hillsides, to protect their land for present and future generations to enjoy.

Goltra Preserve is one of the hillsides protected in perpetuity by The Hillside Trust. Its 67.94 acres were pieced together over decades, beginning with a 14-acre donation by David and Phyllis Goltra in 1986, followed by a 36-acre donation from J-II Homes in 2007, and the final 17.94 acres purchased in 2016. The Preserve features ridgetops and hillsides with mature trees, along with a multi-modal trail system designed, implemented, and maintained by the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA). CORA is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a sustainable, world-class trail system to Greater Cincinnati, aiming to build 375 miles of trail by 2030. 

The partnership between The Hillside Trust and CORA has enabled the Goltra Preserve to be accessible to the public for a variety of activities, including mountain biking, e-biking, adaptive biking, hiking, and trail running.

Cincinnati Climate Week

This event is a part of Cincinnati’s inaugural Climate Week, happening from June 8-14! Presented by Green Umbrella with the Climate Week Network – a global initiative supporting cities as they launch and scale Climate Weeks. This decentralized week invites organizations throughout the region to host in-person and virtual events that spotlight local solutions, share expertise, and inspire a more resilient future. 

With extreme weather conditions becoming more prominent throughout the globe, the Midwest is predicted to experience an influx in population due to climate migration – the forced or voluntary movement of people due to sudden or gradual environmental changes such as sea level rise or increased prevalence of wildfire.

As people move inland, communities like Cincinnati will continue to face forces both natural and man-made as climate and populations shift. This makes the work of and partnerships between organizations such as The Hillside Trust and CORA that much more important! Not only will the pressures to develop hillsides continue, but so will the need for protected greenspace and accessible trail systems that enable individuals to explore the natural wonders of the region.

Explore Goltra Preserve!

We hope you’ll join us for a family-friendly outing at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hike at Goltra Preserve! The hike will take place on Thursday, June 11, from 3-4:30 PM and will be guided by CORA and The Hillside Trust Staff. We will meet at the Goltra Preserve trailhead located off Brokaw Avenue (2395 Brokaw Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45225). Individuals of all ages are welcome!

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 and with one another. If you have any questions, contact Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson at claire@greenumbrella.org. 

The Greenspace Alliance would like to thank its sponsor, Duke Energy, for making this hiking series possible!

Get ready for an immersive and informative urban hiking adventure in South Fairmount! Explore the Lick Run Greenway, traverse the South Fairmount Avenue Steps, and enjoy the view from St. Clair Heights Park. Throughout the hike, learn about the history of and vision for the neighborhood. 

Join Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike with Tri-State Trails and Mill Creek Alliance on Wednesday, May 6, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM

Lick Run Greenway

If you passed Lick Run Greenway, you might note the basketball courts, a trail system, and expansive grassy fields. You might admire the meandering creek speckled with ducks and turtles. There is even more to this greenway than meets the eye: this urban park is also a stormwater management project that helps control sewer overflows into the Mill Creek.

Started in 2013, the Lick Run Project in South Fairmount is a “green” wet weather project focusing on reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Mill Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River. CSOs are the result of a sewer system that collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial waste into one pipe. Typically, this system can transport all of the wastewater to a treatment plant, but sometimes, especially during rainy seasons, the amount of runoff exceeds the capacity of the system. When this happens, both untreated wastewater and stormwater flow into nearby waterbodies – in this case, the Mill Creek and Ohio River. The hilly, steep landscape of the South Fairmount neighborhood created runoff issues for decades.

Since its construction was completed in 2021, the Lick Run Greenway has significantly improved water quality in the Mill Creek. So far, it has eliminated 800 million gallons of combined sewer overflows annually from the creek; increased fish populations; progressed recreational safety in the creek for activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing; and contributed to economic investments in the neighborhood, including improvements in drinking water, gas, electric, fiber optic, and transportation infrastructure.

Fairmount Avenue Steps and St. Clair Heights Park 

At the height of their use in the 19th century, Cincinnati’s hillsides sported over 30 miles of steps that connected the many neighborhoods of the area to one another. Today, there are nearly 400 sets of these stairways throughout the City, with roughly 320 of those still available for public use. On this hike, as we meander through South Fairmount, we will visit the historic Fairmount Avenue Steps, currently closed for repair. With over 300 individual stairs, this is one of the longest sets of steps in the City. Once they’re repaired, you’ll want to make that climb because the view is worth the effort – St. Clair Heights Park and its expansive view of Cincinnati’s West Side is at the top. 

Tri-State Trails is partnering with local organizations like Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Spring In Our Steps, and the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering to reinstate the Fairmount Avenue Steps to their former glory. Come learn about all the recent work on this South Fairmount corridor, and how it will create a future neighborhood connection from St. Clair Heights Park down to the Mill Creek Greenway Trail.

The Future of Trails

Cincinnati has an expansive regional trail network, with organizations like Tri-State Trails, working to increase the distance and connectivity of trails. This Meet A Greenspace Hike is near the future CROWN (Cincinnati Riding or Walking Network) on the Mill Creek Greenway Trail. 

The CROWN is a vision for Cincinnati’s first-ever urban trail loop: a walkable and bikeable loop completely separate from roadway traffic. The loop will feature a 34-mile, multi-use paved trail, connecting over 350,000 people in 54 communities to major destinations throughout the area including parks, schools, businesses, retail shops, restaurants, recreation, and entertainment. 

Once complete, the CROWN will form a network with other trail systems, including Wasson Way, Ohio River Trail, Little Miami Scenic Trail, and the Mill Creek Greenway Trail. This integrated trail system will transform Cincinnati – making it a leading destination to live, work, and play by linking our regional trails and reconnecting neighborhoods.

Come Explore!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hike with Tri-State Trails and Mill Creek Alliance on Wednesday, May 6, from 5:30-7:00 PM. We will meet at the main parking lot of the Lick Run Greenway located at 1661 Queen City Avenue. If the main lot is full, additional parking can be found along the Lick Run Greenway.  

Please note that this hike will be a moderate to strenuous out-and-back hike of approximately 2 miles. We will be traversing some steep and difficult sections. The most arduous part of the hike will be in the first half; less enthusiastic participants can leave before we embark on this portion of the event.

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.

During a short window of time in the early days of spring, tiny woodland flowers burst through the barren forest floor to catch rays of sunlight. These teeny flowers, whose lifespan covers only a few weeks, are called spring ephemerals and can be found right here in Cincinnati!

Join the Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance, along with Western Wildlife Corridor and Cincinnati Parks, for a two-part Meet A Greenspace Hiking series to witness the beauty of the spring ephemeral!

• Spring Ephemeral Series Part One at Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve, Thursday, March 26, from 3-4:30 PM
• Spring Ephemeral Series Part Two at California Woods Nature Preserve, Friday, April 3, from 3-4:30 PM

The Fast Life

In the springtime, sunbeams cascade through barren branches to the forest floor below, slowly warming the soil that still holds traces of winter snow. Before the shadows of the forest’s canopy block out the light, there is a short, yet sweet, time when small wildflowers known as “spring ephemerals” bloom. These flowers quickly emerge in the spring and remain only briefly, taking advantage of the open forest floor before woody plants and debris return. Once their short window passes, they die and return to their underground parts until the next year.

The Ephemerals of Cincinnati

Woodlands full of deciduous hardwoods—like maples, elms, and oaks—cover much of the tri-state area. The word “deciduous” comes from the Latin decidere, meaning “to fall off” and references these trees’ seasonal shedding of leaves. This annual leaf drop creates the perfect conditions for spring ephemerals to thrive.

Although there are many places to spot these fleeting flowers, this hiking series will focus on two special locations. Our first hike will be at the Buckeye Trace Nature Preserve on Cincinnati’s west side, where volunteer restoration has brought back a spectacular display of spring wildflowers. One week later, we’ll explore California Woods on the city’s east side. With the right timing, you may find pockets of this preserve covered in a dazzling array of tiny woodland blooms.

Experience the Ephemerals!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hikes at Buckeye Trace and California Woods!

The hike at Buckeye Trace Preserve will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 3:00-4:30 PM, guided by staff from Western Wildlife Corridor. Parking for this hike is located in a gravel parking lot on site at 6438-6466 Hillside Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45233. (Note: the driveway to this preserve is located between two privately owned residences, with it seeming to traverse into their backyard before hooking a left, down a brief and narrow gravel drive to the parking area).

The hike at California Woods will take place on Friday, April 3, from 3-4:30 PM, guided by Cincinnati Park staff. Parking for this hike is available inside the preserve, located at 5400 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230. We will meet near the Nature Center located at the end of the driveway in the center of the park. (Please drive carefully on the one-lane, two-way park road and park at the end of the park road in the parking lot).

These hikes are part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope this opportunity 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.

Pull on your warmest jacket, step into your sturdiest boots, and join us for a winter hike at Shawnee Lookout! This month’s hike is an opportunity to emerge from your den and experience one of the largest and continuously occupied sites in the country.

Join Great Parks of Hamilton County and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Shawnee Lookout on Friday, January 23, from 3-4:30 PM.

Before the Advent of Golf

Long before the slopes of North Bend, Ohio, were seeded with turfgrass and putting greens and filled with the sounds of motorized golf carts and shouts of “Fooooour!,” the area was home to various Indigenous peoples. For over 10,000 years, Native Americans built homes, established villages, and created mounds that stretched along the ridgeline, perched above the sprawling and braided Ohiyo—theSeneca word for “Great River.” The combination of river bottoms and hillsides made Shawnee Lookout an attractive site for prehistoric settlement. This advantageous geography undoubtedly contributed to its status as one of the largest and most continuously occupied hilltop sites in the United States.

Daylighting

After the golf course closed in 2019, the site was acquired by Great Parks of Hamilton County. The staff immediately began restoring the native seed bank and removing invasive honeysuckle, gradually unveiling the area’s history with each new sprout and cleared thicket. The most recent effort to recover the past is a comprehensive stream restoration project. Beneath layers of sediment and underground culverts lie streams that once sustained the region’s peoples. Now, through a collaborative initiative between Great Parks and The Nature Conservancy, work is underway to restore these waterways in a process known as “daylighting.” Restoration began in the spring of 2025 with the removal of culverts and asphalt that had covered the streams, followed by the creation of riffles and pools. Invasive plants will be removed, and 24,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted throughout the park. These efforts will enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife, provide shade for the stream, and improve water retention. Additionally, a new two-mile natural surface trail will replace the former cart path, honoring the land’s history as both a sustainer of life and a site for recreation.

Explore Shawnee Lookout!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming Meet A Greenspace Hike at Shawnee Lookout! The hike will take place on Friday, January 23, from 3-4:30 PM and will be guided by Great Parks of Hamilton County Staff. We will meet in the parking lot by the former clubhouse, located at 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend, OH, 45052. 

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. 

The Greenspace Alliance would like to thank its sponsors, Duke Energy and the Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, for making this hiking series possible!

Tucked away in the heart of the Landen-Maineville area lies a 95-acre hidden gem with connections to the Little Miami River, offering opportunities for mountain biking, outdoor recreation, and fishing. You won’t want to miss out on exploring this park!

Join the Warren County Park District, the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA), and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Landen-Deerfield Park on Friday, September 19, from 3:00-4:30 pm.

A Community Hub

Landen-Deerfield Park lies in the heart of the Landen-Maineville area. The sprawling 95-acre park offers a variety of recreational options, including approximately two miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The northern portion of the park is home to Simpson Creek, a local hidden gem. This area of the park offers nature enthusiasts the chance to escape bustling suburbia and settle into a serene space surrounded by babbling water and chirping birds. It is the perfect place to seek respite and reconnect with yourself and nature.

Work to restore the water features at the park is currently underway – read on to learn what is happening!

Re-imagining Waterways through Restoration

The Warren County Park District is the recipient of a nearly $1 million investment focused on improving water quality, nature play and recreation, nature education, public safety, and long-term maintenance. Known as the Simpson Creek Headwaters Restoration Project, this investment will assist in restoring a tributary of the Little Miami River near Simpson Creek. This will also revitalize a beloved water feature, the Landen-Deerfield Park Pond, to a natural stream channel with wetlands and a pond system. These changes will help improve water quality in the Little Miami River Watershed.

The project, scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2025, is designed to establish natural waterways at the park by reducing the size of the pond. Historically, this pond never existed in this location and was created by the damming of a stream in the 1980s. While the pond is a popular spot for anglers today, it is an unhealthy water body due to its shallow depth, the depletion of oxygen from the growth of algae, duckweed, and watermill, and the subsequent influx of chemicals designed to “treat” the unwanted aquatic plant growth.

Long term, this project will be able to improve wildlife and fish habitats, establish natural streams, wetlands, and stream edges that will be more effective at removing pollutants from local waterways, increase accessibility for park-goers to interact with the water, and reduce downstream flooding risks and maintenance costs for the dam.

Reimaging Trails

One of Warren County Park District’s partners is the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA). CORA was founded in the 1990s by a group of dedicated mountain bikers in Greater Cincinnati who had trouble finding trails for singletrack mountain bike use. CORA focuses on building and advocating for more miles of sustainable, off-road trails. Warren County Park District and CORA work together to provide community members with access to nature.

Today, CORA maintains over 115 miles of multi-use natural surface trails throughout the region, including 3.5 miles of trails at Landen-Deerfield Park.

Explore Landen-Deerfield Park!

Join us for this unique outdoor experience with the Warren County Park District! The hike will take place on Friday, September 19, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Landen-Deerfield Park and will be guided by Warren County Park District and CORA staff. We will meet at the Trailhead Shelter at the back of the park by the bit arch. The park’s address is 2258 US-22 in Maineville, OH, 45039.

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.

Have you ever dreamed of meeting a scientist in real life? How about exploring a hidden greenspace? If either of these statements rings true to you, join the Greenspace Alliance, Cincinnati Parks, and the Center for Collaboration on Climate and Community for Health (C4H) for their Meet A Greenspace Hike at Badgley Run!

Join the Greenspace Alliance and C4H for this month’s Meet A Greenspace Hike on Friday, August 29, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Badgley Run in Cincinnati’s Northside Neighborhood.

Hidden Gems

Once slated for development as part of the I-74 expansion, Badgley Run is a 16-acre property owned and operated by the Cincinnati Park Board (CPB). Local community members successfully advocated for its protection. Initial funding acquired the original two parcels of land, and a comprehensive restoration initiative remediated extensive dumping, erosion, and invasive species on the site. The park is currently managed by Cincinnati Parks, along with Northside Greenspace Inc. and other regional stakeholders who are committed to improving the site.

To further highlight the success of this property, Badgley Run serves as an important greenspace corridor for both wildlife and residents. At the time of its initial purchase, Badgley Run aligned with the City of Cincinnati’s goal to link the Northside communities with nearby Mt. Airy Forest. Additionally, a property owned by The Hillside Trust, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the region’s hillsides, borders Badgley Run, further emphasizing its importance as a greenspace corridor.

C4H: Connecting Climate and Health in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Center for Collaboration on Climate and Community for Health is a new research center under development at the University of Cincinnati. Often referred to as C4H, the Center will focus on understanding and reducing the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, including first responders, outdoor workers, pregnant women, children, and senior citizens living in economically disadvantaged urban areas. As climate change continues to worsen, cities and the urban and suburban sprawl that forms around them will be subject to its impacts at higher levels. These communities often lack natural features like forests and native greenspaces that help mitigate the impacts from heat, air pollution, and storm events that are becoming more prevalent and extreme.

This Meet A Greenspace Hike will connect participants with scientists working to protect human health in a changing climate. Representatives from C4H will share how their work impacts individuals on both regional and national scales. This hike will also offer hikers the opportunity to communicate concerns they have about the intersection of health and climate change.

Explore Badgley Run!

We hope you’ll join us at our upcoming hike with Cincinnati Parks and C4H! The hike will take place on Friday, August 29 from 3:00-4:30 pm. It will be guided by staff from Cincinnati Parks along with members of C4H. We will meet at the Badgley Rd. entrance, located at 4300 Badgley Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45223.

This hike is part of our monthly Meet a Greenspace Hiking series. We hope these hikes will provide 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.

Contributors: Claire Carlson

Known as the “jewel of the Little Miami River Valley”, Hisey park is an oasis in southwest Ohio. Full of history, hiking trails, and even a Rocketry Association, this park has it all!

Join the Warren County Park District and Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance for the Meet A Greenspace Hike at Hisey Park on Friday, July 18 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Enjoy a meandering hike and an opportunity for solar viewing with the Warren County Astronomical Society at the Fred Bay Observatory in Hisey Park!

The Journey West

Like many families who came to America in the 17th century, the Hiseys traveled far and wide before settling in the Little Miami River Valley. Their journey began out east in Truro, Massachusetts, with stops in North Carolina and Kentucky, before moving to the new state of Ohio in the early 1800s. From 1809 to 1988, generations of the Hisey family farmed the land that would one day become Hisey Park. They planted corn, wheat, and soybeans, and raised livestock, including horses, sheep, hogs, and cattle. As the family grew, so did the farmhouse. It started as a small home made of logs and expanded into a two-story building where the last generations of the Hisey family lived before moving to a larger farm in Greenfield, Ohio in 1998.

To this day, the farmhouse remains on the property. Its simple frame and exterior is an ode to a different time; a time when cultivating the land and cultivating one’s family was of the utmost importance. While the house is not open to the public, the Warren County Park District uses it for various programs and events.

The Legacy of the Hisey Name

If the original members of the Hisey family were still alive today, their legacy might suprise them. Not only is the land they stewarded permanently protected, it is also home to and used by a number of organizations within Warren County.

Located near the house is a cylindrical structure appearing to stick out of the ground. Its silver color and corrugated surface looks like a standard grain silo – a typical feature of a farmyard. However, this structure holds no grain and is a special silo known as the Fred Bay Observatory. The Observatory features a 9-inch refracting telescope that allows visitors to view the solar system’s planets and deep-space phenomena like galaxies, nebulas, clusters, and stars. During the hike on July 18, the Warren County Astronomical Society (WCAS) will open the Observatory and provide solar viewing to hike participants!

In addition to WCAS, representatives from Friends of Warren County Park District and Orienteering Cincinnati will be joining us for the hike! Meet A Greenspace Hikes are designed with this type of connection-building in mind, and hiking with us will help you learn more about what each of these organizations do and how you can get involved!

Explore Hisey Park!

Join us for this unique outdoor experience with the Warren County Park District! The hike will take place on Friday, July 18 from 3:00-4:30 pm at Hisey Park and will be guided by Warren County Park District Staff. We will meet at the picnic shelter off of the parking lot at 5443 Middletown Road, Corwin, OH 45068.

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.