2025 Sponsor: Great Parks of Hamilton County

Hey there, Cincy! At Cincy Scoop, we have always been about one thing: shining a light on all the great things happening around our city, bringing folks together, and reminding everyone why Cincinnati is the best. That's exactly why we couldn't be more excited to announce we're partnering with Great Parks of Hamilton County this year—these folks truly get what makes our little corner of Ohio so special.

A Natural Treasure Right in Your Backyard

Great Parks takes care of 22 incredible parks and green spaces all over Hamilton County, protecting more than 18,000 acres of land. Did you know that over 80% of this land stays natural and wild? That's not just good for the wildlife who call it home; it means cleaner air for us to breathe, cleaner water, and amazing places where we can all escape into nature for a bit.

These park champions have gone above and beyond by planting a whopping 100,000+ trees (they originally promised 60,000, but overdelivered in the best way possible!).

Fun for Everyone (Seriously, Everyone!)

Whether you're a hardcore trail runner, a weekend fisherman (or fisherwoman), or just someone who wants to get lost in nature without traveling too far, Great Parks has got you covered. With over 78 miles of trails—from easy-breezy paved paths to wild mountain biking terrain—there's always a new adventure waiting just minutes from downtown.

Year-round, they offer all kinds of programs where you can learn stuff like camping skills or nature conservation. It's perfect for the remote/work from home people who need to get out of the house and touch some grass.

Our Own Great Parks Story

Back in 2020 (aka the year-that-shall-not-be-named), when we were all going stir-crazy during lockdowns, we packed up tents and headed to Winton Woods for a weekend camping trip. Let me tell you—it was EXACTLY what our souls needed.

Surrounded by massive pine trees, with no Zoom calls in sight, we reconnected with friends around a campfire and remembered what matters most. That weekend under the stars became our collective happy place during an otherwise tough year. As we explored more trails throughout the parks system, we kept discovering these amazing little pockets of nature that made us fall in love with Cincinnati all over again.

Bringing the Community Together

Great Parks throws some fun events throughout the year. There's the magical Fairy Tale Festival coming up at Glenwood Gardens in June, a Hispanic Heritage Festival at Sharon Woods in September, and the Outdoor Adventure Expo at Winton Woods in July. When winter rolls around, their Holidays on the Farm celebration at Winton Woods will make you feel like you were dropped in the middle of a Hallmark movie set.

As a local, independent media company that’s passionate about showing off Cincinnati's greatness, teaming up with Great Parks just made sense. They're protecting the green spaces that make our region special and creating outdoor adventures for us all.

So here's our invitation to you: grab your sneakers, your fishing pole, or your camping gear and discover a Great Parks spot you haven't visited yet. We promise it'll remind you why living in Cincy is pretty darn fantastic.

Want to learn more? Head over to greatparks.org to check out all their upcoming events, cool activities, and ways you can help keep our parks amazing. See you on the trails!