Cincinnati officials gathered this week to celebrate the completion of the latest expansion of Smale Riverfront Park, the crowning achievement of a seven‑year effort to transform a once‑underutilized riverfront stretch into a vibrant public space.
Generous community support fuels the project
The expansion, which now surrounds the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, was made possible by more than $4.5 million raised from over 50 local families and corporations. Vice Mayor Jan‑Michele Kearney highlighted the Smale family’s historic generosity, recalling a $20 million donation that turned what was described as a “mud pit” into a thriving park.
“He donated $20 million to make whatever this was here, and I asked Rocky, what was it here? He’s like, I think it was a mud pit, but whatever this, whatever we had here, he said, let’s create a park because vibrant cities are created by vibrant parks,” Kearney said.
Design upgrades create a unified riverfront corridor
Park Director Jason Baron pointed to the new sandstone wall that runs along the southern edge of the park, linking the Cincinnati Lager House to Paycor Stadium. “We’ve got beautiful sandstone along the southern wall. That completes kind of that Mehring Way from the Cincinnati Lager House all the way down to Paycor Stadium is all now clad in that sandstone to really give it that amazing corridor look,” he explained.
A family legacy honored
The Smale family’s involvement carries personal significance. The expansion honors the memory of Cathy Smale Caldemeyer, who championed the project before her death in 2022. “This phase was a labor of love for my mother, who saw this as her commitment to the legacy of her parents,” said Lisa Diedrichs, daughter of Cathy and John Smale.
Economic boost for the city
City officials estimate that Smale Riverfront Park and its surrounding amenities generate roughly $2.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impact for Cincinnati, underscoring the park’s role as a catalyst for tourism, dining, and local business growth.
The celebration reflects the city’s broader commitment to investing in public spaces that enhance quality of life, support families, and uphold the values of community stewardship.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
