As the largest land owner in Hamilton County, Great Parks often operates more like a small city than a traditional park district. Every day Great Parks teams work on dozens of projects to improve the parks for current and future generations. These projects can range from building a new shared-use trail to fixing an aging sewage system to reforesting a riverbank. They are a mix of critical infrastructure items needing maintenance and new projects generated by the public through an extensive master planning process. All are funded through a combination of levy funds, earned revenue and philanthropic support.
All Projects
Projects
Building the Future of Your Great Parks
Projects We're Preparing
Upcoming Projects
These projects are in the pre-construction planning phase.
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Active Projects
Sharon Lake Improvement Project
Severe sediment accumulation, harmful increases in nutrient values and aggressive aquatic vegetation threaten the health of the 35-acre lake.
Glenwood Gardens to Winton Woods Trail
The new trail will extend the West Fork Mill Creek Greenway Trail that currently travels through Wyoming, Woodlawn and Glenwood Gardens to connect with the Harbor Loop Trail in Winton Woods.
Shaker Trace Nursery Improvements Project
Needed improvements to Shaker Trace Nursery at Miami Whitewater Forest will increase seed production capacity and expand the nursery's role in education.
Columbia Connector Project
The 1.6-mile Columbia Connector trail will tie the Little Miami Scenic Trail to other segments of the 34-mile CROWN regional trail loop, including the Mariemont Connector, Murray Path and Wasson Way.
West Region Blueway & Trails System
The West Region Blueway and Trails System will include both land and water-based trails along the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers.
Mitchell Memorial Forest Skills Loop
Mitchell Memorial Forest is gaining a new mountain bike skills course in addition to a .25 mile skills loop trail that will add more trail mileage while providing a safe place for beginners to try out this exciting sport.
Mill Creek Triangle Trail
Great Parks is excited to be a partner in the Mill Creek Triangle Trail Feasibility Study, a multi-jurisdictional effort to develop a 40+ mile regional trail network in central and northern Hamilton County.
Shawnee Lookout Stream Restoration
The Shawnee Lookout archeological district is undergoing a stream restoration where the golf course construction had previously buried streams and added culverts.
Avoca Mountain Bike Trail
A new, approximately 1.5-mile natural surface trail at Avoca Trailhead will allow both walkers and bikers to explore the forested floodplain adjacent to the National Scenic River.
Bass Island River Access
Improvements to the existing river access site at Bass Island in Anderson Township will provide an enhanced experience for paddlers entering and exiting the Little Miami State and National Scenic River.
Disc Golf Course Upgrades
Disc golf courses are undergoing phased improvement projects that include new tee boxes, baskets and signage, realigned holes and updated landscaping.
Now Open!
Completed Projects
Sharon Center Outdoor Playground
The new outdoor playground at Sharon Woods offers an upgraded and welcoming play experience for all users.
Beechmont Bridge Connector
The Beechmont Bridge Connector Trail opened to the public on September 21, 2022. This critical connector ties the 78-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail into the Lunken Airport trail and Ohio River Trail to downtown Cincinnati.
Embshoff Woods Wastewater Treatment
Teams demolished the failing wastewater treatment facility and restrooms connected to the nearby sewer line to reduce future maintenance costs and provide a reliable and environmentally sound system.
Music Garden
Located in the Highfield Discovery Garden in Glenwood Gardens, construction began in August 2022 with a formal grand opening on June 8, 2023.
Woodland Mound Fitness Equipment
Versatile equipment and an accessible quarter-mile path were designed with input from a local outdoor fitness class.
Shaker Trace Inner Loop
This popular 1.4-mile trail at Miami Whitewater Forest was impacted by safety issues caused by flooding from a nearby creek. Design of an upgraded section of paved trail began in early 2023 and the trail reopened in Fall 2023.