Community Design Workshop a Success
October’s Design Workshop, led by the UC Niehoff Center, was a resounding success. On October 12, 2013 over 80 members of the community came together to begin the brainstorming process of what a transformed Wasson Way could look like. Groups were divided into geographic regions, and were led by volunteer design and engineering professionals–with the help of students from the University of Cincinnati landscape and urban design departments. Neighbors huddled together to think through the challenges and possibilities found along each section of the Wasson Way Trail, while the professionals and students posed questions and took notes. The students spent the following week turning the ideas generated at the design workshop into detailed schematics of what the Wasson Way could look like. Plans incorporated current trends in landscape and urban design as well as specific topics studied in their UC curriculum.
The renderings were then presented at a reveal party on October 18, held at Hyde Park Floral & Garden Center, a garden center and coffee shop located alongside the unused tracks in Hyde Park. Our friends at Queen City Bikes offered free bicycle valet services, and Bryan Devendorf of The National supported our efforts as DJ. Over 150 people attended the party where they viewed the students’ posters, asked questions, and shared with one another the excitement of transforming their neighborhoods together.
Join us for our Reveal Party – Friday Oct. 18
View the professional renderings from the design workshops at the Big Reveal Party. We will enjoy appetizers, drinks and local food trucks. Come meet supporters from our diverse neighborhoods, and help us build the excitement and momentum needed to transform Wasson Way into a shared community treasure. Click here to learn more and sign up to join us.
Community Design Workshop
Saturday Oct. 12
Do you live near the Wasson Way trail? Do you own a business near the proposed pedestrian and biking path? If so we need your help! It’s your turn to help create Wasson Way. Join us for a design workshop led by University of Cincinnati’s Community Design Center’s Niehoff Urban Design Studio. Professors, students, architects, engineers, landscape design professionals, and citizens just like you will design geographic areas along the Wasson Way. With our collective efforts and input, they will turn our ideas into professional drawings and 3D renderings.
Hyde Park Blast
Wasson Way volunteers answered questions and met with local residents at this year’s Hyde Park Blast on June 29. The Blast — a fundraising event with several run/walk and cycling events — was the perfect opportunity to reach out to residents living around the proposed trail. Many people stopped by the tent, excited to see poster-size images of the trail and sign up for the email list. “When will the trail be built?” was by far the most common question received from residents. We also raised money selling t-shirts and handed out a number of free yard signs (now available at Bob Ronker’s Running Spot, Coffee Emporium on Erie, and Hyde Park Floral and Garden Cafe). The Wasson Way is fortunate to have the support of Laure Quinlivan and John Cranley, both of whom came by to reaffirm their enthusiasm.
Manning the tent gave each of the volunteers an opportunity to meet a variety of neighbors, including those living just down the street. This reaffirmed our belief that one of the most important benefits of the Wasson Way will be an increased connection with our neighbors and a more vibrant community.
Wasson Way Volunteer Walk
Over two weekends in May, more than 60 local residents joined Wasson Way Volunteers to walk the trail. Starting just before the Marburg bridge in Oakley/Hyde Park, the group covered 2.5 miles round trip, making their way under Erie Avenue, across the stunning trestle at Ault park to the overlook at Redbank Road before turning back. Walkers got a chance to enjoy the secluded natural environment that we hope will soon become the magnificent linear park of the Wasson Way trail. The walks were promoted through multiple weekends of volunteers canvassing door-to-door to hand out fliers as well as through Facebook and email. We hold walks each Spring, so we encourage you to join us next year!
News Channel 12 Story
Volunteers from the Wasson Way project appeared on “Local 12 Newsmakers” on Sunday May 12 Project Founder Jay Andress and Marketing Chair Anne Oudersluys discussed the trail map, the value of the Wasson Way to the community, and how the trail would be constructed.
Watch the video clip here
Wasson Way Funding
On June 12 the Hamilton County Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling, enabling the City of Cincinnati to move forward with leasing it’s parking meters and garages. Within the $92 million deal, city Manager Milton Dohoney had allocated $3 million to purchase the right-of-way for the Wasson Way trail from the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company. Acquisition of the right-of-way is necessary before any public or private funding can begin construction of the trail.