Great Parks Receives Over $1 Million in State Funding for New Westwood Park

A big project from Hamilton County’s parks system is getting some help from Ohio’s state budget.

Great Parks announced Tuesday that it will be receiving $1.25 million in state funding for its newest park on the grounds of the former James N. Gamble estate in Westwood. The park opened in April 2022 and the parks system completed its master plan for the space this past January.

The money is coming from Ohio’s biennial capital budget and will be administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Great Parks says it will be used to develop the park under the master plan, which was formed in collaboration with the community and includes amenities like trails, boardwalks, playscapes, a greenhouse, an accessible treehouse and more.

Todd Palmeter, CEO of Great Parks, said in a press release that he’s extending thanks to those who offered their support to the park, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine; state legislators, including those from Southwest Ohio; Hamilton County and City of Cincinnati leaders; the Cincinnati Business Committee/Cincinnati Regional Business Committee Capital Budget Prioritization Task Force and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

“We are grateful for this broad support of the new Great Park in Westwood — a true urban oasis inside the City of Cincinnati that has strong backing from the community,” Palmeter said in the release. “Securing this state funding for the park is the latest example of how we are using public and private dollars together to achieve the public’s vision for the future of Great Parks.

The Westwood park will be updated in four phases, which could take up to seven years and over $18 million to complete.

The Westwood park is located at 2918 Werk Road. You can read more about its master plan here .