Local women planting the seeds for a successful Cincinnati Riverfront Park

In 2007, Helen Heekin and Debbie Oliver formed The Women's Committee of Cincinnati Riverfront Park after they became trustees on the Cincinnati Parks Foundation Board.  Their initial goal was to organize a group of 100 women and collectively raise $100,000 for the new 45-acre riverfront park.  Within the first year, though, they signed up 450 women from around the area and raised $450,000.  Now this group is looking to continue their efforts with the creation of the Twig Project.

Organizers say that the Twig Project is a response to numerous requests from individuals, groups and organizations throughout the Cincinnati area that were looking for ways to support the private fundraising efforts currently underway for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park.  Cathy Caldemeyer and Dianne Rosenberg joined efforts with Heekin and Oliver to outline the new project for the more than 500 people in attendance at the recent "Hats Off Luncheon" fundraising event hosted by the Women's Committee.

"We have over 45-acres of previously wasted space that are being transformed right before our eyes into an outstanding new destination park for this region," Heekin exclaimed. "Now, with the construction of the park moving along so quickly, people are seeing even more clearly what a precious commodity this really is - while knowing that most cities do not have this kind of opportunity."

The new effort works with groups establishing special Twig projects that are essentially activities to generate proceeds intended for the Cincinnati Riverfront Park.  The first project is a cookbook written and published by the Cincinnati Town & Country Garden Club.  Get Fresh: Simple, Savory and Successful Recipes is on sale throughout the city at various retail locations and at the Krohn Conservatory's Gift Shop. 100% of the book's sales is being donated to the park.

The CRP has been funded through a variety of local, state and federal money, but is also contingent upon a significant private fundraising campaign.

Organizers believe that the Twig projects will help to create an even greater grassroots level of support for the CRP while engaging others that might not otherwise have been involved.  Since the Women's Committee formed in 2007 they have raised nearly $1 million.

"The full potential of the park can only be accomplished through meaningful citizen involvement," said Heekin. "While the park is being built with a blend of federal, state and local dollars, private donations are imperative if the park is to be constructed with all of the dynamic features that will transform the former wasted space into a park worthy of becoming a true destination park."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
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