ONCE A CEMETERY, WASHINGTON PARK IS NOW ‘THE GATEWAY TO CINCINNATI’

Idon’t remember the first time I set foot in Washington Park, but like many a Cincinnatian, both now and from the past, there are many memories inextricably linked to its eight acres. The sound of the Cincinnati Pops, echoing off Music Hall during the first Lumenocity, way back in 2013. The taste of countless iced coffees sipped while walking through the park on my way to work. The glow of the sun bursting through the thousands of spring tulips.

I’ve walked through and experienced so much in that park, I sometimes like to consider the iterations of my former selves, and if they are somehow still there.

But the Washington Park of today isn’t the Washington Park of seven years ago, or 10, or 30, or 120. In its 10th year post-renovation, what is Washington Park? I spent some time in the park recently to reflect on this public space.

The Park of the Present: Greenspace respite

I set off from my office on Sixth Street on foot on a recent Thursday to enjoy the atmosphere at our esteemed Over-the-Rhine hot spot. The 15-minutewalkmadeclearthatall-blackwasapoorwardrobechoicefor