Greetings!
As we approach this holiday season, Cincinnati Parks Foundation continues to be inspired and grateful for all of YOU, our Friends of Cincinnati Parks. We’ve been able to accomplish many great things this year through your support, making great impacts across several neighborhoods parks.
From planting new trees at
Burnet Woods,
funded by Louise Dieterle Nippert, dedicating The Terry. K. Crilley Family Playground at
Alms Park,
watching our
Hiking Club
at
Mt. Airy Forest
thrive, receiving a donation for the Memorial Garden within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at
Eden Park,
to trail restoration at
French Park
from the generous Cohen Family - we are making our city better, together.
As we look forward to next year, please join us as we focus our fundraising efforts on the following parks & greenspaces: Inwood Park, Burnet Woods, Fairview Park, Bellevue Park, Mt. Storm, Mt. Airy Forest, Laurel Park and Hyde Park Square. In addition, we’ll continue our programming support of the Krohn Conservatory, Rapid Run, Mt. Echo, John G & Phyllis W Smale Riverfront Park, Burnet Woods and the Park Board’s top-rated Nature Education Program for underserved youth. We’ll do this and so much more, as there are over 130 parks and greenspaces within your Cincinnati Parks – making each Cincinnati neighborhood special & unique to our community.
Wishing you and yours a sweet moment of pause throughout this beautiful season.
With sincere gratitude,
Jennifer Hafner Spieser
Executive Director
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Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the official philanthropic partner of Cincinnati Parks, is committed to building broad-based private/public partnerships supporting the conservation and enhancement of our city's parks and greenspaces.
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This time of year is so special, filled with the joy of giving and gratitude as we reflect back over the year. We are so fortunate to have a community of people who love and support YOUR Cincinnati Parks.
With over 5,000 acres of land entrusted to us, there is a lot that goes into taking care of the parks that we share with millions of people annually. Our parks offer neighbors and visitors a setting to enjoy changing colors of trees, the thrill of sledding atop snowy hills, spectacular views of our riverfront and so much more.
As the year comes to an end, the
Cincinnati Parks Foundation
reaches out to our supporters and friends who have had a connection with our parks and understand the importance of making an investment to sustain their beauty. While you consider your end of year giving, please remember Cincinnati Parks Foundation in your plans as your gift helps us continue to make our shared parks beautiful.
We appreciate your kind consideration of our request and we strongly believe that together we can continue to make our city better.
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As we look back through the year, we realize just how grateful we are for so many people. We'd like to thank our
Board of Directors
for their dedication, their time, and their commitment to YOUR Cincinnati Parks. This dynamic group of people work seamlessly together to make a big impact on our city. Thank you from all of us at Cincinnati Parks Foundation for everything you do.
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This month's Volunteer Spotlight is on Sarah DeDiemar. Sarah recently joined the Cincinnati Parks Foundation's
Board of Directors,
and she has made such a great impact already with her enthusiasm and willingness to help however she can.
Sarah is the new Chair for the
Emerging Leaders
which is a group of philanthropic-minded young professionals that support the conservation and enhancement of our city's parks and greenspaces. With this group, Sarah led the efforts for the successful
Wednesdays in the Woods
at
Burnet Woods
over the course of the summer. The energy of people enjoying their park, listening to amazing bands and sipping on some brews from
50 West
was exciting. "It's what it's all about - why we raise money to keep our parks active and beautiful."
In addition, she co-lead the
Views & Brews
event in the Fall which had over 100 guests and brought our park community closer together. The highlight for her was the enjoyment of connecting with family, friends and total strangers over good food and beer in our beautiful parks. "Total win-win-win."
She's looking forward to being actively involved with the 2019 Hats Off Luncheon Young Professionals Series and continues to dedicate her time and energy, and has fun doing so!
Sarah's favorite park is
French Park
for several reasons. She has always lived close to it and has often gone for hikes with her best friends and favorite fur friend, Scarlett, It's her home base for outdoors time. Sarah moved to the Queen City in 2006, after graduating from Ohio University and has made Cincinnati her new home with her husband, Kyle. She feels that Cincinnati has really turned a corner and the park system is one of the many success stories in the revitalization movement. Sarah travels a lot for work and takes such pride in telling people she's from Cincinnati. Our city is lucky to have you, Sarah!
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Hello, Gorgeous.
Yep, we’re talking to you. It’s time to start hat shopping as plans for the
2019 Hats Off Luncheon
are well underway. Get ready for an explosion of color, a burst of sights and sounds, and fun that continues all day long. It’s not easy being green, but have you ever noticed all the colors that make up the beauty of Cincinnati Parks? We’ll highlight this amazing palate of colors to invite curiosity and discovery, happiness and joy as part of the Hats Off Luncheon experience. Each visit to one of our beloved Cincinnati Parks tells its own colorful story and we’re inviting you to join us in its telling!
The 2019 Hats Off Luncheon, co-chaired by Carrie Carothers and Jennifer Buchholz, will once again raise critical funds for preservation and programming initiatives for future generations to enjoy. Parks are for everyone! And you’re a huge part of what keeps our parks beautiful, accessible and fun. You make it happen!
It Won’t Be Any Fun Without You.
So save the date for the 13th annual and always iconic Hats Off Luncheon on
Friday, May 10, 2019
at the John G. & Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park. Yes, you read that right! It’s the first ever Hats Off Luncheon on a Friday. We’re saying FriYay for that! Join us for a champagne toast at 11:00 am, followed by the presentation of the
Phyllis W. Smale Award
and gourmet luncheon beginning at 12:15 pm.
Fox19
evening news anchor
Rob Williams
will serve as emcee for the special program.
But Wait, There’s More!
Join us and shout out about your support of Hats Off from the rooftops! Further support the Cincinnati Parks Foundation with a sponsorship of Hats Off and you’ll be included in a special section of
The Cincinnati Enquirer
. You’re all the good things, and we want everyone to know. To learn more about Hats Off Luncheon sponsorship opportunities, contact Jared McFee at (513) 861-0023 or
click here
to send an email.
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Since 1933 a group of volunteers have created thousands of natural ornaments for the tree at the
Krohn Conservatory.
This creative group of dedicated women come together each year and source natural resources from within Cincinnati Parks to create these beautiful, unique decorations for the 18-foot Norway spruce tree.
This year, the Krohn Crafters took it one step further and created ornaments for members of
The Women's Committee of Smale Riverfront Park
who attended a special event at the Krohn Conservatory. Everyone was touched by the kind gesture, and was amazed by the ornate detail of each ornament.
Additionally, for the past few years they’ve taken on a new project to design, build and construct tiny fairy houses placed at the base of the tree during the holidays. Thank you Krohn Crafters for sharing your creativity and joy with the community!
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Krohn Conservatory - A Thankful Holiday
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Members of
The Women's Committee of Smale Riverfront Park
were invited to A Thankful Holiday hosted by Cynthia Henderson & Keke Sansalone which allowed members to view this year's holiday show display at
Krohn Conservatory.
The warmth and major of the holidays were definitely in the air that night, despite the icy cold weather.
This year's display also includes a new and improved replica of the iconic
Krohn Conservatory
building, which is absolutely beautiful. Light bites from
Eat Well
were enjoyed while friends mixed and mingled with other members in the warm and inviting spaces of one of Cincinnati's most treasured landmarks. Thank you, Cynthia and Keke, for hosting such a special event.
The Women's Committee is open to all interested women and includes engraved name recognition in The Women's Committee Garden at Smale Riverfront Park. Membership can also be given as a gift or in memory of a special woman in your life. To learn more, or to purchase a membership, visit the
Cincinnati Parks Foundation
website.
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The Spirit of the Season with Cincinnati Parks
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With all of the fun, and sometimes stress that holidays can bring, take a moment to create some wonderful memories by checking out these programs happening this month at YOUR Cincinnati Parks.
Winter in the Woodlands
Inclement weather date: Saturday, December 8 at same time. Follow a beautiful, luminaria-lit trail on a leisurely self-guided walk through the forest. Decorate your own home-baked holiday cookies, make crafts, listen to storytelling at the cabin and sit by a crackling fire to enjoy lively acoustic music by Ceol Mohr. Sponsored by the California Woods Advisory Council. Fee: $6 per person.
Register online
by Dec. 6. For more information, please call 231-8678.
“Holiday Skies” Planetarium Show
Join us as we experience the real holiday light show, the winter sky. Discover the mysteries of the Christmas Star, see a bright holiday “wreath” of twinkling lights and hear the tale of the man being pulled across the sky… and his three baby goats! Appropriate for adults and families with children ages 5 and up. Space is limited. Fee: $5 per person. Call 751-3679 by Dec 6 for information and paid reservations.
Holiday Crafts Workshop
Enjoy creating a variety of crafts, many of them made with natural materials. The Secret Santa Room gives children a chance to make presents for family members. Staff instruct and advise but the personal touches are up to you. Fee: $6 per person or $18 per family (up to 3 children and 2 adults).
Register online
by Dec.13. For more information, please call 542-2909.
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We leave you with this magnificent photo that captures the peace and tranquility found at the
Mt. Airy Arboretum.
This land which covers 30 acres is a collection of trees, shrubs and flowers, displayed among nature. The Arboretum serves students, gardeners and homeowners as a testing and observation area for plant growth, habit and hardiness of plants in the Cincinnati area.
It was initially conceived in 1930, when many individuals and organizations decided to contribute to the development and preservation of
Mt. Airy Forest
and Arboretum. We'd like to thank Usha Bali for her recent donation to Mt. Airy Arboretum that makes this area even more special.
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