Park Improvements at Werk Road

Park Improvements at Werk Road

A unique urban greenspace in Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood

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Park Improvements at Werk Road

Project Locations

location Werk Road Property

Project Dates

location CONSTRUCTION START: November 2026
location CONSTRUCTION END: Summer 2028

Great Parks is planning and developing its newest destination in Cincinnati’s Westwood neighborhood. The 22-acre site, acquired from the Greenacres Foundation in August 2021 through the Clean Ohio Conservation Program, was once the home of the James N. Gamble family. Today, it remains rich in ecological and cultural heritage, featuring forested valleys, meadows, a mature tree canopy and historic structures from the former Gamble estate. Great Parks is transforming the site into a welcoming urban greenspace that promotes conservation, historical preservation, accessibility, nature-based education and community gathering. 

The project is guided by a conceptual master plan shaped through extensive community engagement, which revealed five key priorities to guide design:  

  1. Build More Trails and Prioritize Accessibility: Build a clearly defined, ADA-compliant trail system with strong neighborhood connections.
  2. Build Ecological Resiliency and Sustainability: Restore habitats, preserve and showcase healthy trees, utilize renewable energy and build durable, versatile facilities.
  3. Create Outstanding Experiences: Provide safe, clean, year-round spaces for learning, play and community gathering.
  4. Preserve Historic Features and Share Park History: Preserve historic structures and ecological features that tell the property’s cultural and environmental story.
  5. Provide Innovative Programming as a Gateway to Nature Exploration: Offer natural playscapes and programming concepts like field-station learning, outdoor classrooms and self-guided discovery.

The master plan will be implemented in phases to minimize environmental impact and expand public access over time. Phase 1 construction prioritizes pedestrian and vehicle entryways, trail development and site restoration while laying the groundwork for infrastructure to support Phase 2. 

Construction Impacts & Closures

Temporary, full-site closures are expected as follows:

  • Early-mid March and late April-early May for site preparation
  • November 2026 through the project’s completion for construction

Tentative Project Timeline

DATE ACTIVITY
August 2021 Site acquisition
2022-2023 Community engagement & site analysis
October 2023 Master plan approved by Great Parks
Spring 2025 Design & site analysis kickoff
Summer 2025-Summer 2026 Design development & construction planning
November 2026-Summer 2027 Phase 1 construction underway
Summer 2027-Summer 2028 Phase 2 construction underway
Fall 2028 Project complete
Timeline is an estimate based on the current project status and is subject to change.

Downloads

picture_as_pdf Pre-design Conceptual Park Master Plan (October 2023)
picture_as_pdf Site Analysis Highlights & Design Progress (March 2026)

Community Engagement

In 2022 and 2023, Great Parks engaged property neighbors, the broader Westwood community and other Hamilton County residents through surveys, interviews, in-person events and interactive workshops. A community advisory group of leaders and representatives from local organizations, including WestCURC, Westwood Works and the Westwood Historical Society, helped guide the planning process. In October 2023, Great Parks approved a conceptual master plan based on ideas and priorities gathered through community engagement. In December 2025, Great Parks met with the community advisory group again to share site analysis highlights and initial design progress. 

Contact Us

For additional questions about the project, contact Great Parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Parks has completed a thorough assessment of the site, including its archaeology, geology, history and other aspects, and is using this information to inform design work. Designs are addressing community priorities identified in the park’s conceptual master plan. Early site preparation is underway, with construction expected to begin in fall 2026.

The park is already open, although it will close March 2-13 and again in late April-early May for site preparation, then from November 2026 through the project’s completion for construction. As work progresses, the goal is to expand public access to completed areas over time.

The park’s master plan includes new trails, improved access and neighborhood connectivity, on-site parking, all-season restrooms, natural play structures, gathering spaces and other features, all designed to have a minimal environmental impact.

Cost & Funding

Special Thanks

The current total cost of design and construction is estimated at more than $12 million. 

For their support of the project to date, Great Parks extends sincere thanks to: 

  • The Ohio Public Works Commission for a $1.6 million grant through the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program for site acquisition and restoration.
  • The State of Ohio for a $1.2 million grant through the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) for construction.
  • The Greater Cincinnati Foundation for an Environmental Beautification Program grant to support the community engagement and planning processes.
  • The H.G., H.F. & Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee for a grant supporting site restoration and construction.