LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Cincinnati Parks

  • Loveland volunteers needed for habitat restoration of Little Miami and O’Bannon Creek

    Loveland volunteers needed for habitat restoration of Little Miami and O’Bannon Creek

    Ohio River Foundation begins area’s largest habitat restoration

    Loveland, Ohio – The Ohio River Foundation (ORF) is embarking on the largest habitat restoration project ever undertaken in Southwest Ohio. The project, made possible by a $50,000 grant from Coors Seltzer and its Change the Course partnership, will restore six miles of riverbank along three Ohio River tributaries: The Little Miami River, Great Miami River, and O’Bannon Creek.

    ORF will plant 10,000 to 15,000 native trees and shrubs along those riverbanks. Phase one of the project begins this month and involves harvesting live stakes – taking cuttings from native trees that grow in riparian areas during their winter dormancy. Those “live stakes” will then be planted on riverbanks once the weather warms up in March.

    “The Ohio River is a source of drinking water for more than 5 million people. But because of pollution from urban runoff, agriculture, sedimentation, and industrial pollution, many sections of the Ohio River do not meet water quality standards,” said Rich Cogen, Ohio River Foundation’s executive director.

    Recreation is an important part of the economic sustainability of Loveland along the National and State Scenic and Wild Little Miami River.

    The Little Miami is the source of drinking water for Loveland, Milford, and Indian Hill. O’Bannon Creek empties into the Little Miami in Historic Downtown and Loveland folks know this creek because they so often cross over it when heading north along the Loveland Bike Trail from Nisbet Park.

    Plants along riverbanks improve water quality by keeping pollutants out of the water and by helping control erosion, thus reducing sedimentation. As they mature, these riparian plants also provide habitat for streamside birds and mammals and create shade that helps fish and other aquatic species thrive.

    Rich Cogen, Ohio River Foundation’s executive director

    “Restoring the habitats along these tributaries will go a long way toward improving their health, and it will reduce the amount of pollution that makes its way into the Ohio River,” Cogen said.

    Assisting ORF with this project are Great Parks of Hamilton County, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Miami Township, Miami Conservancy District, Anderson Township, City of Loveland, Cincinnati Parks, Colerain Township, and Rivers Unlimited.

    Volunteers are needed for both phases of the project. Live stake harvesting will take place on:

    • Sunday, Feb. 28 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Nisbet Park, 126 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, Ohio, 45140
    • Thursday, March 4 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Miami Township West Community Park, 4063 E. Miami River Road, Cleves, Ohio, 45002
    • Sunday, March 7 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Heritage Park, 11405 E. Miami River Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45252 Volunteers, who will be helping cut stakes, should dress for the weather, wear waterproof shoes, bring a mask and follow all COVID-19 recommendations. All tools, including boats needed to access some sites, will be provided. Advance registration is required; for more details, or to sign up, visit www.ohioriverfdn.org. Additional volunteer opportunities to help with spring stake planting will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.ohioriverfdn.org.

  • Loveland High School’s senior class spends a day serving local nonprofits

    Loveland High School’s senior class spends a day serving local nonprofits

    This group of Loveland High School seniors spent Senior Service Day at Valley View, a nonprofit organization in Milford with a mission of conserving land, preserving history and sharing it with the community.

    Loveland, Ohio – The entire senior class at Loveland High School (LHS) spent Wednesday, October 16 volunteering at nonprofits throughout the area. Beginning the day assembled at New Hope Baptist Church, the students learned from presenters about the value and impact of community service and then spent the afternoon assisting at a range of

    local organizations and agencies, including: Bethany House, Cincinnati Parks, Freestore Foodbank, Grailville, Granny’s Garden, Greenacres, Hands Against Hunger, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Nest, New Life Furniture, Play Library, Stepping Stones, St. Francis Seraph School, St. Vincent De Paul, and Valley View. The students also assisted in various projects at school campuses across the district.

    Throughout the day, students shared their efforts and experiences on social media, using the Twitter hashtag #makeyourmark.

    “Our eighth annual Senior Service Day was a great success,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “I appreciate all the hard work that went into the planning and organization of the event, which involved nearly 400 students, educators and additional volunteers.”

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  • Entire Loveland High School senior class spent one day putting Tiger Care to action

    Entire Loveland High School senior class spent one day putting Tiger Care to action

    LHS Senior Ian Cronin helps refinish an outdoor table at Loveland’s Grailville for his Senior Service Day project October 11, 2017

    Loveland Senior Service

    Loveland, Ohio – The day began fairly typically for all 383 members of the Loveland High School (LHS) senior class – gathered in a room to listen and learn, the students heard from presenters about the importance of service. But, Wednesday, Oct. 11, was no ordinary lesson. It marked the sixth annual LHS Senior Service Day, and from 11:30 AM until 2 PM the students were tasked with volunteering at one of 14 Loveland and Cincinnati-area non-profit agencies.

    “This is a learning opportunity we look forward to every year at Loveland High School – and that is not limited to the educators who are involved – our students see the seniors doing this and anticipate the day from the time they are freshmen in our building,” said LHS Principal Peggy Johnson. “It is our Tiger Care building goal in action. It does make a difference in our community. It will continue to influence how our students grow and develop as servant leaders. I want to thank LHS Teacher Brian Baugh for taking the leadership role in organizing the event this year for our students. It was a wonderful experience.”

    “It is our Tiger Care building goal in action.”

    Social media platforms turned into a real-time showcase for the community to see the learning that was taking place during the senior-chosen theme of Let’s come together as one to make a difference; seniors used the Twitter hashtag #383hearts to share their volunteer efforts, and Loveland Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse featured the service learning opportunities using Facebook Live from the district’s Facebook page (Loveland City Schools).

    “What an amazing opportunity for us to show Tiger Care – one of our big three district goals – in action,” said Crouse. “This annual event is the very heart of what we are trying to teach our students – empathy. It is designed to create an atmosphere for our students to both lead and serve, and see the world – if only for a few hours – from the perspective of a neighbor who they otherwise might not have met.” 

    Students served the service day at the following agencies: Bethany House, Cincinnati Parks Ault Park, Dragonfly, Dress for Success, Grailville, Granny’s Garden, Little Miami River Cleanup, Matthew 25 Ministries, NEST Loveland Community Learning Center, New Life Furniture, QPR Training, Ronald McDonald House, SPCA and St. Francis Seraph School.