A p r i l 2 0 1 4 • M a r i e m o n t, O h i o • Vo l u m e X X X V I I I , N o . 6
Mariemont Parks Offer “Breathing Spots” for Residents B y Claire Kupferle Driving into Mariemont on Route 50 East, there is an immediate sense of being surrounded by trees. Green spaces crowd right up to the roadside, and Wooster Pike becomes divided, graced with grassy medians and mature trees. On the right as you enter the Village are Whiskey Hollow and Dogwood Park, 20 acres of dedicated parkland. Other parks lie along this stretch of highway as it pushes through Mariemont. Residents of our fair Village are fortunate to enjoy a variety of parks, gardens, woods, and green spaces. Like so much in Mariemont, this did not come about by accident but was carefully thought out by Mary Emery and John Nolen, the town planner. A brochure from the 1920’s which advertised the “new town” of Mariemont says, “In...parts of the village there will be...'reservations,' insuring for all time...tracts of woodland, little parks, open spaces that will be used for the common welfare.” In fact, in the original plan for Mariemont, 50 acres were set aside to remain undeveloped. Mrs. Emery and Mr. Nolen believed that there was great value in beauty. They knew the “advantages of parks and 'breathing spots,' isles of safety and floral gardens.” The design of Mariemont was based on “garden cities” in England such as Port Sunlight and Hampstead Garden Suburb, where green spaces were considered vital to the health and well being of the residents. In fact, the early brochure for Mariemont notes that children from the English planned communities were healthier and grew taller than their contemporaries living in cities. Since Mariemont was conceived as an alternative to the poor housing conditions in the city of Cincinnati, much was made of the country-like feel of the town. “In other parts of Mariemont there are village greens for outdoor entertainment, parks and public squares (Continued on page 4) Th e
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The Concourse covered with wisteria offers a shady retreat. (Photo courtesy Joe Stoner.) t h e
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