The Value of Spending Millions on Cincinnati’s Washington Park?
Priceless!
Let’s be honest. After endless debate, countless articles and news stories and what can be best described as “apathy’ by most, Washington Park is a stunning example of mixing a spacious multi function park and additional parking spaces to the area across from Music Hall. Sunday’s warm weather had children and adults enjoying the cool spray and music from the “fountain”. Others enjoyed listen to spontaneous music from a duo sitting on the steps of the Gazebo.
The band shell will host a free concert and if the early morning crowds are any indication of activity and interest -then tonight’s show should be crowded.
When moved here in the early 70′s downtown was thriving. People drove in from the burbs to attend shows, shop on 4th street, go to baseball or football games and more. But downtown and surrounding areas are like little kids that need to be nurtured and groomed for growth and at some point “we” began focus more on new development and forgot about nurturing. Many of you think in a few years Washington Park will be forgotten and in decline- but I think they’re wrong. Sales of real estate in “Over the Rhine” is booming and this time I think residents, businesses and government will remember to keep their eyes on the Washington Park and continue to nurture growth and development in the surrounding area.
What do you think?
We had an occasion to spend some time in Washington Park Monday evening and were extremely impressed with how beautiful and welcoming it is. The plantings are exquisite, and lots of children were having fun in the water fountain. In addition to adequate parking in the underground garage, we saw plenty of smiles as children obviously were enjoying playing in their playground and many dog owners were enjoying their dog park. The historic bandshell in the multi-function park has been preserved, and we noted the projection screen for movie nights at the northern end of the park. 3CDC is creating a thriving Over-the-Rhine, which has plenty of room in a growing mixed-income neighborhood for existing and new residents and businesses.