Great Parks Forever

10245 Winton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45231

Getting Back to Learning and Exploration at Great Parks

In 2023, Great Parks Forever was able to use the funding provided by the Charles H. Dater Foundation towards nature programing at the Nature Center at the Summit (NCTS) and for the Urban Thrive Festival in Roselawn.

NCTS is located in Roselawn and operates as a community hub, bringing together young nature enthusiasts for the opportunity to encounter live animals, explore the stream and nearby forest, learn a skill like gardening or archery, do a craft, and build a stronger understanding of their place in this natural world. The curriculum developed for the Nature Center specifically addresses Ohio’s Learning Standards around environmental science, natural history, and social studies with emphases on fun and approachable programs that are further enriched by immersion in natural environments. Funding for this programming reduces barriers to create opportunities for the children in the neighborhood and beyond to get inspired to explore in our parks!

In September, Urban Thrive Festival was held for its third year to celebrate all the ways our community THRIVES – from local access to fresh foods to an appreciation of the arts, and the importance of mental well-being. Throughout the event we saw a total of 550 people, with most of them being from the Roselawn community. During the event, guests learned about the Roselawn community garden, planted seeds, learned about composting, and sampled local produce. They were also able to interact with farm animals while enjoying music from local Cincinnati artists. Great Parks lead an urban mini-hike around a wooded area and along the Mill Creek and the 513Relief Bus was on site to offer free checkups from UC Health and consultations with social service agencies. Many community-focused organizations were also at the festival to discuss the services they offer to local residents.
Website: http://www.greatparksforever.org
Amount: $25,000
Date: July 2023