Projects

Severe sediment accumulation, harmful increases in nutrient values and aggressive aquatic vegetation is threatening the health of the 35-acre lake. The solution is to remove the excess sediment from the lake via dredging. Dredging Sharon Lake will not only let park guests continue to enjoy all recreation opportunities at Sharon Woods, but also will improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat.

This 3.6-mile trail will connect two major Great Parks and extend the existing West Fork Mill Creek Greenway Trail to 9 miles of continuous trail. The project also includes improving access to an adjacent bus stop. The project is currently in design with trail construction expected to begin in spring 2025.

Shaker Trace Nursery in Miami Whitewater Forest is one of few places in our region that grows native plants for ecological restoration projects. Needed improvements to the facility will increase seed production capacity and expand the role the nursery fulfills in educating the community about native plants, ecology and restoration.

Design and planning work for the new playground is underway, with construction expected to start in spring 2024.

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 Wasson Way. Phases 1 and 2 were completed in 2020, and construction of the final Phase 3 is expected to begin in spring 2026.

Design has begun on the development of a master plan for the West Region Blueway and Trails System. The system will include both land and water-based trails along the Great Miami and Whitewater rivers, and will link communities and parks extending from the Butler/Hamilton county border to the Ohio River.

This popular 1.4-mile trail at Miami Whitewater Forest has been impacted safety issues caused by flooding from a nearby creek. Design on an upgraded section of paved trail will begin in early 2023, with the goal of re-opening the entire Inner Loop trail to the public by fall 2023.

Enhancements to the existing river access site at Bass Island in Newtown will make getting boats in and out of the water even easier. The plan, which is currently in design phase, includes an improved parking area, drop-off loop and path to the river. Extensive natural and cultural resource considerations along this national and state-designated Scenic River will impact when the construction on this project can begin.

The harbor at Sharon Woods serves as major center of activity in one of our most-visited parks. Input and ideas from the community will help reimagine this space with better boating, fishing and play experiences and enhanced gathering spaces. The project is expected to kick off in spring 2024, with design occurring during construction of the Sharon Lake Improvement Project.

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.

New tee pads, baskets and signage – as well as realigned holes and new landscaping – at Woodland Mound disc golf course allow for better play for both new and veteran players. The full course re-opened to the public on September 16, 2022, with landscaping and signage improvements scheduled to wrap up later in the fall.

This project included demolishing the park’s failing wastewater treatment facility and connecting restrooms into the nearby MSD sewer line. It was done to reduce future maintenance costs and provide a more reliable and environmentally sound sanitary system for park staff and guests. The project was completed in August 2022.

Located in the Highfield Discovery Garden in Glenwood Gardens, construction began in August 2022 with a formal grand opening on June 8, 2023.

Planning for Great Parks’ newest park, located in Westwood, included extensive public engagement to ensure this greenspace is a true community asset. A concept master plan was approved in October 2023 that establishes a long-range vision for the 23-acre property.