Spring is finally in the air after an extended winter. Warm temperatures and sunshine have arrived and that means it is time to get outside and explore Uptown. Thankfully, Uptown has a wide variety of outdoor spaces where people can relax, explore, and have fun with coworkers, friends and family. Because there are so many places to choose from, we asked employees from Uptown Consortium, Inc’s. (UCI) anchor institutions, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the University of Cincinnati, UC Health, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and TriHealth to share their favorite Uptown spots.
“Uptown is a dynamic community with historic neighborhoods and world-class resources,” said Brooke Rapp, Director of Community Development at UCI. “Uptown also has an incredible array of parks, eateries and amenities so we decided to ask Uptown experts --- employees who spend a lot of time in the area --- to share their insider tips to inspire people to explore what makes Uptown so unique.”
The following are the recommendations of our insiders’ favorite places to enjoy the outdoors in Uptown.
Michelle Hopkins, Consultant, Communications Strategist, Community Engagement at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Hopkins shared insight on the Urban Learning Garden at Rockdale Academy in Avondale, which she describes as her favorite spot in Uptown.
“I personally love the Urban Learning Garden at Rockdale Academy,” Hopkins said. “It’s beautiful and has so much meaning. The gardens were conceived with the Avondale community in mind and are a wonderful collaboration between many community partners. More than 300 volunteers from Cincinnati Children’s, the Reds, P&G, The Cincinnati Zoo, and community groups came together and invested time, treasure, and sweat equity to make a magnificent learning place for students.”
Hopkins encourages people to visit the Urban Learning Garden. “This is also a space that families can enjoy. The garden includes vegetables, fruit trees, herbs, and flowers of all kinds. It’s a living classroom. One of the best spots in Avondale!”
Jessica Gates, Director, Strategic Content for Cincinnati Innovation District (powered by University of Cincinnati)
Gates highlighted why she and her family love the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden which has been a staple in her house since her kids were babies (they are currently eight and 10 years old).
“Our family has been Zoo members for over 10 years. The park is a pleasure to visit – it’s a great size, the landscaping is gorgeous and optimized to the season, and the exhibits are changed enough to keep it interesting,” Gates said. “The Zoo has program offerings that appeal to my husband and me as adults like Zoo Brews and Zoofari, as well as its vast amounts of programming for our kids. Our kids are still requesting to go to the camps even though they have been many times. Plus, our Zoo is very accessible to everyone.”
Gates believes Zoo memberships are affordable entertainment for a family with kids. “We make it a point to visit the Zoo at different times of the year to experience Zoo Blooms, Hallzooween and our favorite – Festival of Lights.”
According to Gates, the Zoo is also a quick lunchtime escape during a busy workday. “I have even gone to the Zoo by myself when all the kids were in school just to enjoy a nice walk when the Zoo is peacefully empty. The grounds are beautiful, and it is hard to believe you are in the middle of a city.”
Jarvis Graham, Manager of Community Relations at UC Health
Graham likes to stop at Conscious Kitchen, her favorite spot on Short Vine in Corryville and a go-to restaurant during her lunch break.
“As a self-proclaimed foodie, I consider myself a connoisseur of food places that have turkey options because I do not eat beef or pork,” Jarvis shared “This is their specialty and they do it well. My favorite dish is the turkey bacon BLT with a side of aquatic egg rolls.”
Conscious Kitchen is a quick 10-minute walk from UC Health in Uptown where she can take a nice break from work and enjoy the outdoors.
“Totally living up to the name, Conscious Kitchen provides health-conscious food options for a quick lunch with friends or a dinner with the family. I always feel at home - from the staff to the music they play, and to the local art on the wall,” she said.
David Orban, Director of Animal Science & Strategy at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
When he’s not working at the Cincinnati Zoo, Orban enjoys spending more time outside in Uptown. “One of my favorite outdoor spaces in Uptown is the Clifton Plaza on Ludlow Ave,” Orban shared. “After a walk through Burnet Woods or a movie at the Esquire Theater, it’s quite the charming spot to hang out with friends and enjoy an ice cream from the Graeter’s across the street.” In fact, in a recent Cincinnati Business Journal 40 Under 40 interview, Orban is quoted as saying “The Esquire Theatre in Clifton is one of Cincinnati’s best-kept secrets.”
Dr. Kasey Rohling, Emergency Room Physician at TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital
Rohling is proud to live in Clifton and loves the Uptown area. She said, “My favorite outdoor space in the Uptown area is Burnet Woods. It's a wonderful community gathering space that I have enjoyed during the Clifton Cultural Arts Center Wednesdays in the Woods events in the summer. I regularly spend time running with my dog through the park. I frequently take my children there to play. My boys love the newly redesigned playground and the astonishingly speedy stone slide.”
UCI encourages community members to check out Clifton Cultural Arts Center 2022 Wednesdays in the Woods. Visit Clifton Cultural Arts Center Facebook page for more information about ongoing summer programming. Also, check out this video that provides great insight into Burnet Woods's revamped playground that was completed in April 2021.
Please visit the Uptown Cincinnati Twitter and Facebook page on all-things Uptown. Happy Spring!