Great Parks of Hamilton County

Updated March 6, 2:07 p.m.

As spring approaches, Great Parks of Hamilton County is hoping for a little help in stopping the spread of a perennial problem. Natural Resources Director Jessica Spencer is asking park visitors to keep an eye out for invasive species.

People are seeing more coyotes in neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati lately, on both sides of the Ohio River. And that is causing many of them to worry about the safety of their children and pets.

When coyotes start howling, their cacophonous calls may sound alarming to some people. However, the sporadic-sounding yelps are generally just canine chitchat.

A group of campers and artists want to make neighbors with the wildlife in one of Cincinnati's oldest parks. Two proposals would change part of the 90-acres inside Clifton's Burnet Woods.

Great Parks of Hamilton County is in the middle of an 18-month process to draft its first-ever comprehensive master plan, and it wants to hear your ideas and feedback.

Hitting the trail for a long trek, then relaxing by the fire is a great way to build confidence and bond with other hikers. Now Great Parks of Hamilton County is offering an outdoor training series to bring women closer together. 

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.