Beit Carr and I had about 10 people over two days for the ARCHITREKS Walking Tour of Walnut Hills in May. Both groups seemed enthusiastic about the tour and interested in the neighborhood. Which we think is ultimately the point. Highlights seemed to be the Public Comfort Station, the Swiss Chalet on Upland Place, the majestic Verona Apartment Building on Park Avenue, The Church of the Advent on Kemper Lane, and the Paramount Theatre Building at Peebles Corner.
Unless you live in Walnut Hills it seems that many do not get a chance to just walk the streets and see the beauty of the neighborhood.
I was struck by many questions and comments about the current status of neighborhood itself and the issues it is facing. These included for instance the amount of abandoned buildings, how to fix them, and what is the solution. Steve and I gave our opinions but it was a series of tough questions with no easy answers. And frankly I wasn’t expecting them to the extent that they came up. Honestly I think it is great that people were interested and asking those questions about the very complex neighborhood.
I will end though with one of the comments we got after the tour via email:
“Walnut Hills is a neighborhood I have never appreciated before, even had negative feelings about because of the blight and crime. I have to say that last weekend's tour completely changed my attitude and I came back not only more knowledgeable but also much more appreciative.”
You want to see for yourself? The next, and last, Walnut Hills tours of the summer will be August 29 and 30. Check out the ARCHITREKS website for details.
A multi-part series documenting Walnut Hills and ending with the ARCHITREKS walking tours of Walnut Hills on August 29 and 30.
Historic image of Park Avenue in Walnut Hills from Library’s Cincinnati Memory Project
Don't know why WH has never bounced up. It's in a convenient location, has some of the city's best schools (Walnut Hills High School, St. Ursula, Seven Hills, Purcell Marian, St. Francis deSales, Mercy Montessori, etc.), culture, parks, fabulous history and buildings, a revitalized (if somewhat faltering, but what isn't these days?) business/eating/shopping area, and yet...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure someone will have a snappy nonthinking answer but seriously, what does it take for a neighborhood to succeed and what causes one to fail?