Playground at Fernbank Park

Playground at Fernback Park on the Ohio River
This is a very nice park with a fantastic view of the Ohio river. Even tho when we were there the phase 2 construction wasn't complete they did have the childrens playground and a very nice shelter and paved walking trail. Also had very nice, clean bathrooms and plenty of parking.
Fernbank Park combines the former Lee Park (1912) and River Park (1913) with the former Fernbank dam site. The Fernbank dam was completed in 1911 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and then dismantled in 1963 due to the construction of three new high dams. The land was leased for park use by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and then transferred to the Cincinnati Park Board in 1974.




In March 2003, the Hamilton County Park District and the Cincinnati Park Board signed a cooperative commitment to improve Fernbank Park. This partnership enables the Hamilton County Park District to contribute approximately $2.7 million in park enhancements, in addition to assuming the operation, maintenance and Ranger patrol of Fernbank Park. Improvements accomplished in 2004 and open to the public include:







Riverview Shelter - renovated picnic shelter, 144 capacity, grills, horseshoe pits, play field, gated entry and parking area.


New restroom with covered entry area and vending, decorative concrete plaza, water fountain with dog fountain and parking area.


Playground - entire playground fenced with one entry/exit point adjacent to restroom, decorative metal benches and trash receptacles, poured-in-place rubber safety surface, 2 playgrounds for different age groups (2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds), 3 "Cool Toppers" built into playground provide shade, one freestanding "Cool Topper" with bench seating for adults, "Thunderhead Climber" for rock climbing and discovery, "Gemini Slide" for racing, "Turbo Twister" tunnel slide, "Sway Fun" boat, curved track ride, multiple climbers and agility equipment, exceeds ADA requirements for number of ADA accessible/ground level components, various educational and learning panels as well as game panels
Paved walking trail and River Promenade provide views of natural areas and the Ohio River as well as seating and access to picnic areas
Phase Two improvements for 2005 to include the completion of paved park road and parking improvements, new paved multi-purpose trail, two new non-reservable picnic shelters, interpretive and information signs and various other site improvements