Hiking Level - Easy to Moderate; some stairs and hills required; Accessible paths on most of hike; Approximately 1 hour.
Park at the parking area on Martin Drive
1. Tom Jones Commons – Our winter walk begins at this brand-new recreation area generously donated by Tom Jones and dedicated this past summer. The Commons features a play environment, a shelter, new landscape, wetlands, and a boardwalk. The accessible paved loop begins at the welcome kiosk, which depicts the rich history of the reservoir. SELFIE CHALLENGE SPOT
2. Mirror Lake – Take the newly installed, cement staircase up to Mirror Lake, a reflection pool that once was the site of a 96-million-gallon reservoir that supplied water to the city. Follow the paved, accessible path around Mirror Lake toward the Springhouse Gazebo.
ACCESSIBILITY OPTION: Park at the parking area near Fulton Avenue by the Gazebo to utilize the accessible path.
3. Springhouse Gazebo – Designed by architect Cornelius M. Foster and completed in 1904, this iconic gazebo is the oldest enduring park structure in the Cincinnati municipal parks system and appears in the logo of the Cincinnati Park Board. It was constructed in the Moorish style, with brightly painted arches and ball finials. In 2006, CPF raised the funds to install an accessible paved path from Mirror Lake at the Gazebo, through the Hinkle Garden, and with connectivity to Krohn Conservatory.
4. Bettman Fountain at Hinkle Garden - Follow the paved, accessible path as it meanders past a grove of magnolia trees, slumbering garden beds, and a picturesque gazebo. While in the grove, visit the Ted Ganz-designed bronze and granite fountain sculpture, “Let Justice Roll”, donated by Marianna Brown Bettman to honor her late husband, Judge Gilbert Bettman.
5. Krohn Conservatory – Cross Martin Drive to continue toward the Krohn Conservatory - a Gothic Revival and Art Deco-style greenhouse completed in 1933 and named in honor of Irwin M. Krohn who served on the Board of Park Commissioners. It contains plant species from all over the world. This year’s holiday show, “Trains and Traditions”, presented by ScherZinger Pest Control, is open to the public. Purchase tickets online or at the front door through January 9th.
ACCESSIBILITY OPTION: The remainder of this hike includes stairs. Instead, continue on sidewalk past Krohn Conservatory to explore the paved loop, impressive overlook, and public art around Twin Lakes.
6. Spencer Overlook – At the parking area behind Krohn, take the set of stairs past the picnic grove up to this impressive overlook named after Donald Spencer, a founding member of the Friends of Cincinnati Parks. For their outstanding leadership and exemplary service, Donald and his wife Marian were posthumously awarded the Phyllis W. Smale Award in 2020 by the Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks.
7. Eden Park Standpipe (Water Tower) – Follow Cliff Drive to cross the historic Melan Arch Bridge, built in 1894 and regarded as the first concrete arch span in Ohio. Take the path on the left toward the tower, built in the same year to supply sufficient water pressure throughout Walnut Hills. The water tower stands 172 feet tall and 1,000 feet above sea level.
8. Presidents’ Grove – Meander down the path through the Presidents' Grove trail - a row of trees planted in honor of U.S. presidents. The first tree, an oak planted in 1882, honors George Washington.
EXTEND YOUR HIKE: At the paved circle, veer left to take the stairs down to Fulton Avenue. Cross Fulton Avenue at the roundabout to follow the sidewalk on Eden Park Drive toward Gilbert Avenue. Cross the street at the crosswalk to visit the newly installed Art Climb at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
9. Eden Park Station No. 7 – At the paved circle near Presidents’ Grove, veer right to take the stairs towards Krohn Conservatory. Can you spot the botanical clock constructed into the hillside? Use the crosswalks to cross Eden Park and Martin Drives. Follow the sidewalk down the hill toward the vacant pump station, which together with the water tower was designed by Samuel Hannaford to pump water from the nearby reservoir to expanding neighborhoods. After it was decommissioned, it was reclaimed as a Cincinnati Fire Department alarm station, and then utilized as a Cincinnati Police Department dispatch center. Follow the sidewalk past the old reservoir wall to return to the parking area at Tom Jones Commons.
