Activating

community space
a HOW-TO
guide
PA R K
E M P SEY
VING D
I M P RO
L I G HT ON
SPOT
 What's in the Guide?
Activating your community
space is as easy as 1, 2, 3
This “How-To Guide” is designed to help you and your
local community spark positive transformation within your
neighborhood’s business district, park, or any public gathering
space. Successful revitalization efforts begin with in-depth
knowledge of the area, forward-thinking vision, and the effort
and teamwork to make it happen. This guide puts you on the
right path, by teaching you how to gather key observations
and ask the right questions. Once you get going, it’s all about 1. Understand th e Site
thinking creatively and seeing what new activities or amenities
could work on your site. Finally, it takes cooperation with
key community stakeholders to get your projects funded and
running.
2. Envisio n Possibilities
3. Make it Happen
This guide showcases Dempsey Park, located at the center of
East Price Hill, Cincinnati, OH. The proposed improvements
illustrated in this guide seek to bring more activity the park
and adjacent business district, in turn creating a vibrant
community gathering space that benenfits the wellbeing of all.
Downtown Cincy Incline Overlook
Local context
East Price Hill is a primarily residential neighborhood
located less than 2 miles west of downtown Cincinnati.
Well established as a moderate income, and family-
oriented neighborhood, recent developments surrounding
the incline overlook district have brought in investment
and new residents. Some of these changes are a result of
shifting demographics, as young people and empty-nesters
seek housing closer to downtown and its attractions. Price
Hill Will (a local community development non-profit),
along with other community advocates, are hoping to
build upon this momentum to revitalize their local business
district. Dempsey park is located right at the center of the
community, making it the perfect place to bring people
together and spark activity. The hope is that improvements

Price Hill
to the area will improve the quality of life for local residents,
while also attracting more business opportunity and socially
responsible development.

Business District
what's going
on in
Price Hill? Library renovatio n

incline district

veracruz
restaurant
maso nic lodge h o ly fam ily church & Sch ool
 1/3 Mile
warsaw ave
creative
Walk campus

kroger
library rec
center

playground

pool

identify
Local assets
1/4 Mile
masonic business/ Walk
lodge restaurants
[The BLUE area denotes an Active Corridor
of existing and potential development] holy family school incline
and church overlook
dist
 step 01
Understand th e Site
CIncinnati
E. Price
Hill

h o r n e Price
H aw t

Wa e l l
rs
aw Pu rc

this is our site.

Locate yours.
Uncover the
challenges.
th ese are Dempsey Park's
ours. cha llenges
what is your
community space like? - Poor pedestrian access this
lac can b
- Underused areas spa k of li e due
ces g t
hidd hting o
Is it easily accessible? - Disconnected amenities sigh en fr or
om
t

Do you feel safe th ere? - Unsafe area

- High speed car traffic
are th ere lots of things to do?
- Lack of signage or directions
is it clean and well lit? - Lack of events or programming

does everyo ne feel welcome?

 1
1

4
2
3

2inaccessible Edges
3

inaccessible edges 4 hilly terrain

 Wha
Age t YO
U Th
1
How
do yo
Walk u get here
ink...

Gath er Feedback!
Wha Bike ?
t do
# you Bus
LIKE Car
Swim usin
ming
Pool g the
mos Favo
# t? R rite!
Libra ank
ry 1 -
8
#
Base East
ball F Price
ield Hill
#
Busin
esse
# s

Wa lk around th e Site
Bask
etball
Court
#
Rec
2 Wha
Cente
r
t cou #
ld be Gard
adde en
Rank d? #
1 -

Attend Community Meetings

#
5 Playg
Favo
rite!
Gath
ering
Plaza 3 Wha
roun
d
t acti
vitie
# s wo
uld y
Seatin Rank ou e
g njoy
1 - # ?
# 5 Gam
Wate es
r Featu Favo
re rite!

Survey (Online & Paper) #

Pop-U
p Sh
ops
#
Stree
t Fest
# ival
Walki
ng /Bikin
g Trai
l #

Use Images to SHOW

>> S

Get the
hare Sina
more ge/D
at a C irectio
omm ns
unity
Input #

ideas: they grab attention,

Sess
ion o Farm
n Ma
rch 1 er’s M
2 th (C arket
ontact #
umba

Community Involved
chcp Pop-u

communicate more, and

@ma p Co
il.uc. ncert
edu fo s
r deta
ils) <
<

appeal to all audiences,

especially kids. Paper flyers
can also be placed on pin Our Feedback
boards at businesses,
churches, or parks. from Price Hill
What loca ls LIKE about th e area...
• Excitement for the Library’s new expansion

• They love the pool!

y
m m unit o ll • The Rec Center is great for kids to hang out
o
H i ll, c ing to r ws
ice ill ho
In PR s are w s. this s hic
ber eve et What th ey want to see next...
mem eir sle nd work tio n.
h c
up t pride a park a • A Farmers markets was a favorite
th e ed to s
d
nee • Everyone wanted more walking paths

• Most were open to adding soccer

 step 02
envisio n possibilities
farmer's market
Pop-up markets are a great option because
they can be quickly set up on adaptable
surfaces, such as a parking lot, field or
street. They can bring the community
together, support the local economy, and
encourage wellness. In addition to farmers,
vendors may also artisans, artists, and food
trucks. By providing live music and play
space for kids, a diverse group of visitors is
invited in.

a ve
s a w
a r
W
PURCELl ave
 Warsaw ave

Live music can be

a w n s are set up just about
L
Grass o support s anywhere
t
able ary tent
or
temp

Image Source : M. Fischetti. Philadelphia's South Street , Visit Philadepahia, https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-

do/attractions/south-street/

How it
works...
EXAMPLE: The Library front lawn was selected to house the pop-
Northside Farmer's Market
n s io n up market because of its highly visible location along
Pittsburgh, PA
pa
r ex endors
the Warsaw Ave commercial corridor, in hopes that
fo v
20 vendors set up on the grass of a Room h m ore ll Ave the market will benefit nearby businesses. Also, placing
local park, Fridays from 3-7 p.m. wit Purce vendors along the perimeter allows for seamless
on pedestrian movement, and the center lawn offers
(May to November)
an insulated play and picnic space for families with
kids. Lastly, the library's new parking lot will provide
convenient car access.
 pathways
"make new
Pathways are vital for
co nnectio ns"
encouraging people to walk and
bike, both within the site as
well as to & from the park.
The proposed pathway network acce ada
works to connect ssibl
e!!
amenities within the site re
t h w ays a
(e.i. Library to Rec Center), a o
i c e h o w p s h a pe d t
not na lly in to en-
and also allow for leisurely n t i o
inte ly terra
h i l r a m pe d
walks. th e l l
h at a c c e s s i b l e
.
Artistic
su r e t a ramped paths
s a r e ADA Standard paths Nature boardwa lk
pa t h
paths
v

For Price Hill

`What do your pathways We propose:
Sometimes they connect two - ADA accesible ramps connect-
places. Sometimes they me- connect? ing the library + Rec center.
ander for leisurely walks. And - Regular pathways lined with
sometimes they can become vi- What space and resources trees & seating for leisurely
brant spaces on their own! are available to you? walks
- Artsy pathways to engage
community creativity

Standard Ramped artsy

pathways pathways pathways
 Grow trees and
landscape your
community areas!

Benefits of Trees
Create pockets of - shade
- beautiful and calming
seating areas!
- stormwater managment
- prevents soil erosion
Seating in the right loca-
tion can boost how well a
space is used. Place your
seating along shaded paths
with plenty of lighting and
watch as more people enjoy
the space !

greening
Seating and lighting are
placed along the pathways to
provide a sense of safety and

& seating encourage people to stay a

while,
enjoy nature and perhaps so-

plan cialize with neighbors.

open spaces
Look for Adaptable

& Flexible solutions!

r g o a ls can
occe out
m i n i - se e l e d i n a n d -
be wh d. No big in d!
of fiel ent require
vestm

TEST out your space! for price hill

Underutilized open fields can be
-Outdoor movies improved by making the space
adaptable for multiple activities.
-Dog socializing For Dempsey Park, the underused
baseball field could also house a
-Pick-up games mini soccer field, which could ap-
-Outdoor fitness peal more to Latin American im-
migrants living in the neighbor-
hood. mini soccer painted play surfaces
unique problems?
Raised wooden boardwalks let
people enjoy the rain garden
even when full of water.

tailor your solutions

Rain gardens are positioned in low-lying flood-

Our peculiar challenge
able areas and serve the dual purpose of
is a low-lying baseball housing stormwater and beautifying a space.
field that gets soggy and For Dempsey Park, the infield area is an ideal
can be a fun
unusable. location, if the community agrees to relocate
community activity baseball to other fields nearby in the future.
Our solution is a rain
garden to help manage
water drainage and cre-
ate a pleasant space.

could look and feel

beautiful!
~512' of Boardwalk along a community
constructed rain garden that acts as a natural
sink for water and also as a buffer between the
co nserves water open park space and other areas.
 Why? 2 . Plan
> Housing is a great neighbor to parks
and community spaces because it

it Out
Housing ensures more regular use of the area,
(I.e. dog walk or morning jog).

Development
> Development is a revenue generator,
which can bring in funds for community
space improvements.

1. Is th ere a need?
Demographic trends are leading more
young people and empty nesters to live
in city neighborhoods, creating a need
for small and affordable apartments.
For Price Hill, Neighborhood scale

3. run th e numbers
apartments are proposed on private land
es
h giv to
adjacent to the park.
d Pat
Slope ic acces ice
s
ubl Pr
40 UNITS ADA p ield from sses
f
PATHWAY COST $35K open and busine
Ave
INVESTMENT RETURN 6.8%
Monthly rents start at $850

With balconies facing the

park’s open field, more eyes

are place on the park, which
Public Space Private Residence
can greatly increase the

4. Ch oose a Developer
DESIGN EXAMPLES sense of communal safety.
 Entrances for Walkers & Bicyclists Not
s guests comm ice Board
e u
Well-designed entrances serve to sig n g u id h this p nity abou informs
Directio n attractio ns wit hysica t
welcome walkers and bikers into the y l Fac events o n
to nearb ing distances ebook
space. This can encourage more walking wa lk wa ll

t
around the neighborhood, which is
great for nearby businesses.
h a
W s...
W o r k Low shurb
natura l
s acts as
boundarie
Major Entrance Access Point s for
child saf
ety

Bicycle Ra
cks
bikes saf keep Painted t
e rash cans
encourag and sh ows of
around t e biking f loca l a
rts
h e commu with flar
nity e

before

Wide
invites Pathway Painte
d g e S l o pe d Curbs
bo
and wa th bicycles keep w Crosswa lks Lar
e w h eelchair
s
l and bri a lkers safe wel c o m
les P U R
attrac kers with ghtens and bicyc CE
tive br
ick street up th e Ll a ve
s av e ce
Pri
 library

rec
center
parking
seat
Dempsey PArk clust ing
arou er
n
play d
master plan parking

play
Grou
nd
Ground

proposed
rain garde
seating
n
boardwa lk &
Proposed swimming
Trees cluster proposed
poo l
mini-soccer
Existing field
Trees proposed
h ousing
basketba l
l development
court
 step 03
make it happen
Now, it’s time to ch oose Plan t f l o
s
wers..
s w
.
a lks...
what happens WHEN!
c r o
Paint .
r n B o mbing..
Ya

Keep in mind that it’s best to

0 1 2
start with “Phase 0” pop-up
events to invite the community START MAKE THE COMPLETE
together, build excitement, and 'TODAY INVESTMENT THE VISION
attract investment for future
.
Low-cost, low risk
Continue to add

t
Build infrastructure
projects. activities that make
amenities and value

c
visual impact from that shows progress.

e
to the community
day one.

o j
p r
u r pop up markets Build a Stage

y o pathways + improvements X Main Route X gaps

e
Build One fill in the

a s Artsy/Nature Path X

ph play fields
rain garden
X Events
Pop-up Add new facilities

housing development
entryways
FInd your partners! Event Funding
Programming
Community Park
Development facilities grassroots

arts group
philanthropic funder for

Cincinnati parks

ROLE: assist with funding for

nonprofit engaging teenagers to major park improvement projects,
city recreation manager create public art
community development leader like pathways and rain garden

ROLE: quarterback that ROLE: set up arts-based events

engages community residents and and programming at Dempsey
coordinates among neighborhood Park; (i.e. crosswalk painting and
and outside stakeholders; Also, yarn bombing) pro soccer club

Price Hill Will could take the lead city

on sparking pop-up events parks manager ROLE: help fund enhancements
to the athletic field, specifically

KB Properties the addition a mini soccer field

local developer major funder for

ROLE: assist with planning, community arts
ROLE: develop housing that corporate
implementing and maintenance
engages the park in a positive leader
of new facilities and any physical ROLE: provide funding for arts
manner and provide pathway
alterations to the park programming and pop-up events, ROLE: assist in funding with
access for residents and the
such as a live music series community development grants
public
 !
a y You can enjoy events through out th e week!
o d
t art outside pick-up kickball farmer’s markets

r t
a
st

MOnday Tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday sunday

Yoga in the park designated dog park live music series movie nights
 Prepared by:
Christian Umbach &
Swapna Natesh Babu
MASTER OF COMMUNITY PLANNING STUDENTS
Capstone Project - Spring 2020

DAAP - School of Planning

FACULTY ADVISORS
Conrad Kickert - Assistant Professor
John Yung - Urban Fast Forward