Great Parks Upgrading Glenwood Gardens

Great Parks is working on multiple upgrades at Glenwood Gardens, the park where guests find whimsy and wildflowers tucked into a busy area in northern Hamilton County. The renovations, which will cost $1.25 million, will improve accessibility while extending the life of some of the park’s most beloved areas. 

“Glenwood Gardens is known for being a beautiful escape from the ordinary, and several of the features that needed replacement now make it even more inviting,” said Todd Palmeter, Great Parks CEO. “We appreciate the continued support of Hamilton County residents to make levy funding available for this project, which, in addition to generous philanthropic support, is allowing us to leave a legacy for future generations.”

Some of the most visual improvements are along the Woodland Walk, which now reveals an updated 6-foot-tall purple wizard hat, lilypad, and mushroom sculptures. The Woodland Walk has a new boardwalk inclusive of custom adult and child-sized hand railings, and the Spider Patio has new stamped concrete reflecting the web above. Great Parks restored iron fencing and improved drainage in the area.

At the Cotswold Overlook, which rises above the West Fork Mill Creek and its green valley, Great Parks replaced an aging trellis and added new stamped concrete to improve accessibility and match the original work.

Great Parks has also renovated the signature gatehouse entrance to Glenwood Gardens, with a new trellis, stamped concrete and new drainage.

In the final set of improvements now underway, Great Parks will touch up the paint on the Discovery Tree at the Highfield Discovery Garden, while also replacing decking, roofing and safety netting nearby. During this time, access to the Discovery Tree will be off limits.

Funding for these improvements includes $906,500 from the Robert R. & Cooper L. Burchenal Foundation and $350,000 from Great Parks capital funds. Great Parks funds are made possible by the 0.95 mill levy for critical infrastructure needs and park improvements that Hamilton County voters approved in 2021.

These improvements are in addition to and separate from the ongoing work for the planned Glenwood Gardens to Winton Woods Trail. This summer, Great Parks partnered with Metro to open Phase 1 of the trail, which incorporates a new crosswalk and Metro bus stop on Springfield Pike, plus a new sidewalk at the Glenwood Gardens entrance, for improved access. Phase 2 is expected to begin construction later this year and will allow guests to safely connect between Glenwood Gardens and Winton Woods away from automobile traffic.

(Note: Valid Motor Vehicle Permits are required for every vehicle entering Glenwood Gardens. Information about purchasing MVPs, and accessing free or discounted MVPs, is available at greatparks.org. Daily admission at the Highfield Discovery Garden is $7/person.)