In August 2021, Great Parks purchased the former Gamble Estate in Westwood. We were able to preserve the site by securing a Clean Ohio Conservation grant for 75% of the appraised value, and secure the 25% match through a partial donation of the value from the previous owner, Greenacres Foundation.
Great Parks intends to protect the urban greenspace as well as open up the potential for an urban ecology center to serve residents of Westwood and nearby communities and schools. The terms of a grant being used to fund the purchase require the area be used for "passive recreation," meaning the park will be largely preserved in its natural state, utilizing existing structures on the site.
The site provides significant ecological value in connecting a patchwork of habitats from the City of Cincinnati’s Mt. Airy Forest, to greenspace along the Mill Creek, south to Great Parks’ Embshoff Woods near the Ohio River. The property has multiple points of access and excellent walkability, being a short distance from Gamble-Nippert YMCA, Westwood Library and five schools such as Westwood Elementary and Dater Montessori, where Great Parks currently presents nature education programming. It is also conveniently located on several Metro bus routes, providing a public transportation option for residents.
April 20, 2021 – Great Parks Awarded Funding to Acquire and Preserve Westwood Site