Cincinnati parks are well known for their vast acreage, scenic trails, and mountain views. Along with hill-top views, there are many programs and annual events that play a role in making the parks a welcome place to visit for families. However, one such park, Cincinnati’s Friendship Park recently sustained a Combined Sewer Overflow due to a large section of the parkland shifting from soil erosion. This riverbank shift stems from a break in the 100-year-old stone sewer line. In a usual year, approximately 12 million gallons- enough to fill more than 18 Olympic-sized swimming pools- will overflow into the Ohio River from this single pipeline. The collapse left a gaping hole in the pipeline approximately 6 feet in diameter. Construction and repair work is expected to be completed by April. The city will restore the broken sewer line through the emergency repair fund which is made available through the Capital Improvement Program.
Did you know that Cities within Ohio have a designated Community Cost‐Share Program? This program provides funding to Member Communities specifically for the use of community‐specific stormwater management projects. To implement the Community Cost‐Share Program, 25% of the total annual stormwater fee, collected in each community, is allocated with the disbursement of funds through a grant application and reimbursement process. To access Community Cost‐Share Program funds, a community project must promote or implement the goals and objectives of the city and minimize new, storm water flooding, erosion, and water quality problems. The Community Cost‐Share Program funds are provided by the District on prior approval of the Project.
Interesting fact: the standpipe water tower at Eden Park stands at 172 feet tall and was originally built in 1894 as a means to provide water pressure for the neighborhood of Walnut Hills in Cincinnati. It is known as one of the city’s oldest hilltop neighborhoods.
