urban green spaces : cincinnati

Urban Green Spaces: Cincinnati

A brief exploration of Cincinnati’s green space

Zef Vesel

Krohn Conservatory was built in 1933 and currently showcases over 3,500 plant species from around the world. Additional attractions include an annual Butterfly Show , workshops, and special holiday events. [1]

Directly across the street from the Conservatory, one will see a beautiful floral clock adorning the side lawn. Cincinnati boasts its “Old World” heritage through the long-standing European tradition.

Just up the road from the Conservatory, we find a beautiful overlook of the Ohio River at Eden Park. The perch is one avid motorcyclist’s favorite place to relax outside the University. He says, “The air is fresh, your surrounded by greenery, and everyone, it seems, has no choice but to be content.”

A man brings his child to Eden for the fresh air and slow pace as well. Because the park is nearby, he has the opportunity to come often. As research has shown, proximity to green spaces is directly linked to the frequency of use. [2]

Theresa has grown up visiting Eden and continues to enjoy the serenity of the park as often as schoolwork allows. Here, we can see a rather monotonous city-scape in the background juxtaposed against a vibrant floral display in the forefront.

Across the street from the Art Museum, which is also located in Eden Park, we come across an outdoor amphitheater. It is one of the sites you would pass during a 90 minute Segway tour of the park, should you take advantage. [3]

Just across the street from the University of Cincinnati lies Burnett Woods Park. The park is home to a playground, a small children’s museum, a pavilion, and an artificial lake.

Although this may look like a secluded hiking path, it is in fact in the back yard of Loveland Ohio’s elementary school. The nature trail is part of Granny’s Garden, an interactive, educational garden school founded at Loveland Elementary.

Here we see one patch of garden in front of the high school. However, the 25 acre campus hosts over 100 vegetable gardens and serves 1,700 1st-4th graders annually. Although teacher participation is optional, the program boasts 100% teacher involvement.[4]

Moving our tour to downtown Cincinnati, we find how even small natural elements, like these flowers outside a parking garage, can dramatically change the energy of the cityscape.

Nada restaurant, located on the same block as Fountain Square, offers Executive Chef, Jeremy Lieb’s, contemporary take on many traditional Mexican recipes. [5]

The restaurant elegantly blends natural elements with a contemporary urban scene. Outside, the many flowers, trees, and ferns, attract the eye of any passerby, while the natural wood motif will continue to warm and comfort those adventurous enough to step in…

Just outside the library, we find another urban garden, as well as trees adorning the outside of a building. Research has shown that the mere sight of verdure promotes recovery after emotionally stressful incidents, including medical procedures. [6]

In 2008, 711,000 metric tons of annual pollutants (US$3.8 billion worth) were reduced by urban trees in the US alone. Trees have cooling effects on buildings, which saves money and resources on air conditioning, and consequently reduces harmful emissions. Trees also combat pollution, reducing harmful toxins in the surrounding air. [7]

That’s all folks! Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of a small number of the many urban green spaces Cincinnati has to offer.

Photography and Captioning – Zefrem Vesel

References:1. "Krohn." Krohn. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn>.2. Zhou, Xiaolu. "Social Benefits of Urban Green Space: A Conceptual Framework of Valuation and Accessibility Measurments." Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal 23.2 (2012): 173-78. Print. 3. "Segway Tours Presents Eden Park." Tours - Marcy. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2012. <http://www.marcy.com/segway/Segway_Tours_Brochure.pdf>. 4. "Granny's Garden School." Granny's Garden School. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.grannysgardenschool.com/>.5. "Nada." Nada. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.eatdrinknada.com/main.html>.6. Frumkin, Howard, Dr. "Healthy Places: Exploring the Evidence." American Journal of Public Health 93.9 (2003): 1452-454. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. 7. Fam, Dena, Edward Mosley, Abby Lopes, Lorraine Mathieson, Julian Morison, and Geoff Connellan. Irrigation of Urban Green Spaces: A Review of the Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits. Tech. no. 978 0 9804985 2 3. N.p.: IF Technologies Pty, n.d. Print.