The Comprehensive Master Plan will address a wide variety of topics across our parks system, drawing from the four pillars of our vision – conservation, connection, discovery, and partnerships. The plan will lay out a clear vision for GPHC’s future that was founded in robust community involvement and provide a specific plan of action to achieve the vision. The master plan process will raise local awareness and will establish GPHC as a national leader in greenspace conservation and natural resource management practices. The specific plan components will emerge throughout the first phases of the project. The planning team expects the final plan may include the following twelve (12) focus topics:
- Community Engagement (agency mission, vision, and goals)
- Levels of Service
- Outdoor Education and Recreation Programming
- Land Management, Planning and Acquisition
- Natural Resources
- Sustainability
- Technology
- Strategic Partnerships
- Organizational Structure
- Diversity
- Financial Planning
- Park and Facility Master Plans
Everyone is invited to get involved! As someone who lives in or visits Hamilton County, sharing your ideas and experience is essential to understanding the needs of our community and shaping a community-driven vision for the future of our parks. Here are several ways to participate:
- Sign up for project updates, and check out the “Participate” section for interactive online activities.
- Join us at the Great Parks Comprehensive Master Plan Spring Workshops! This second round of workshops are ‘open house’ style and will take place within four Great Parks in May. Workshops will be informative, family-friendly and have interesting activities designed especially for you to help shape the future of Great Parks. Click here for more details.
- Visit GPHC’s booth at community events to follow the plan’s progress and contribute to activities and conversations there.
- Invite GPHC staff to present to your group or at your community event.
Great Parks of Hamilton County (GPHC) currently owns and manages over 17,000 acres of greenspace including over 41 miles of shoreline along ecologically important and recreationally valuable riparian lands across Hamilton County. While the needs and goals for each of our current parks spaces vary, the Master Plan will set a comprehensive strategy for the entire county parks system and contain action items specific to our parks.
The plan will help ensure that GPHC follows a vision shaped in partnership with the community, that resources are used effectively and efficiently, that decisions are made with a balanced understanding of immediate needs and long-term goals, and that priorities are in line with national best practices for conservation and recreation.
Campbell Lakes Preserve, Embshoff Woods, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Fernbank Park, Francis RecreAcres, Glenwood Gardens, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Golf Center, Miami Whitewater Forest, Mitchell Memorial Forest, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Triple Creek, Winton Woods, Withrow Nature Preserve, Woodland Mound, Kroger Hills, Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary, Oak Glen Nature Preserve, Richardson Forest Preserve
For more details on each park visit greatparks.org/parks
Great Parks of Hamilton County administrative offices are located in Winton Woods at 10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231. You can also reach us by calling 513-521-7275.
The parks are open 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk, except for special circumstances. Occasionally our naturalists will schedule program opportunities and we will host special events in the parks. Please check the event calendar on greatparks.org for details. Boathouses, golf courses, visitor centers and gift shop hours vary by season.
Parks may be closed for short periods of time due to inclement weather. If in doubt, please check Current Park Notifications & Closures prior to your visit.
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