Great Parks of Hamilton County

It's been four years since an oil pipeline in Colerain Township ruptured, spewing thousands of gallons of crude down a hillside creek at Oak Glen Nature Preserve. In 2016, the focus shifted from cleaning the site, to restoration. That process is nearing completion.

It's going to be a busy summer at all the Great Parks of Hamilton County. 

In March, 2014, Hamilton County Park rangers at the Oak Glen Nature Preserve discovered an underground pipeline running through the preserve had ruptured, releasing approximately 20,000 gallons of crude oil. Cleanup began almost immediately and most of the oil was recovered, but the preserve's habitat was severely damaged and restoration efforts are still underway.

The holiday season brings a whole series of special events and activities at area parks. 

The changing season brings a whole new calendar of events and activities at Hamilton County parks. 

Great Parks of Hamilton County will present Great Park Days throughout the summer, offering a day of free admission, rentals, and more at select parks.

Great Parks of Hamilton County is debating a host of questions as it considers a new tax levy. The current one mill, 15-year levy expires in December 2017.

The Cincinnati and Hamilton County park systems, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Boone County Arboretum, the Civic Garden Center, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, our region is blessed with a wealth of public gardens, parks, woods and green spaces.

It’'s the time of year most of us prefer to stay inside and stay warm. But it’'s a great time to bundle-up, head outdoors, and enjoy all that nature has to offer. And our area'’s many first-class parks and nature preserves are the perfect places to do just that. Here to talk about the many winter programs offered by our park systems are Kimberly Whitton, Marketing and Communication coordinator for Great Parks of Hamilton County, and  Jennifer Harten with the Cincinnati Parks Explore Nature program.

  Greater Cincinnati has the good fortune to not only have a vibrant and growing arts, culture and entertainment scene, our region is also an amazing place to discover life in the great outdoors. And to help with that discovery, next Saturday and Sunday the 11th annual Great Outdoor Weekend takes place: 120 free outdoor events spanning the eight counties in and around Greater Cincinnati. Joining us for a preview of the many and varied events you can enjoy this weekend are Kimberly Whitton, communication coordinator for Great Parks! Hamilton County Park District; Amy Sauer, Program & Events manager with Green Umbrella; and Emily White, co-owner of Roads Rivers & Trails adventure outfitter.

Great Parks of Hamilton County recently received a generous grant to assist with the reforestation of Sharon Woods, but as Kimberly Whitton from Great Parks tells our Robyn Carey-Allgeyer, this is a volunteer-driven effort that is now in need of volunteers.

There is a lot going on in all the Hamilton County Parks. Kimberly Whitton from Great Parks of Hamilton County joins our Robyn Carey-Allgeyer to talk about some great upcoming events, including a performance by the U.S. Air Force Band, and the new branding of the district.