The completion of Smale Riverfront Park's latest improvements is more than a milestone for Cincinnati's riverfront. It's a celebration of family, philanthropy and a shared vision for our city.
Donors, board members, Cincinnati Parks and Cincinnati Parks Foundation team members gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Smale Expansion Project.
Some projects are measured in dollars raised, years of planning or construction milestones. Others are measured in the people who believed in them and worked tirelessly to bring them to life. And some projects encompass both. On November 10, 2026, Cincinnati Parks Foundation joined Cincinnati Parks, the Smale family, donors, board members and community leaders to celebrate the completion of the latest expansion of John G. and Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park. It was a joyful and emotional occasion, marking the culmination of years of dedication and a vision that has endured across generations.
A Family Legacy, Carried Forward.
From the beginning, John Smale envisioned a world-class riverfront park that would become a defining feature of Cincinnati: a beautiful, welcoming gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
Cincinnati Parks Foundation Board Chair Lisa Diedrichs, granddaughter of John and Phyllis Smale and daughter of Cathy Caldemeyer, speaks about the expansion project of her family’s namesake park.
His daughter, Cathy Smale Caldemeyer, embraced that vision with the same determination. A former Cincinnati Parks Foundation board chair and founding member of the Foundation's Women's Committee, Cathy was a passionate advocate for the park and its continued development. She championed the completion of this section of the park, determined that it reflect the beauty, craftsmanship and attention to detail that had become synonymous with Smale Riverfront Park. Although Cathy passed away in 2022, her commitment to the park lives on.
That legacy made the ribbon cutting particularly meaningful for her daughter, Lisa Diedrichs, who now serves as chair of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation Board of Directors. The occasion was not simply the celebration of a completed project. It was a moment to honor the vision of one generation, the determination of another and the commitment of those carrying that legacy forward.
The Details Make the Difference.
Located alongside the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, the newly completed improvements bring added beauty, comfort and cohesion to one of Cincinnati's most treasured public spaces.
The official ribbon cutting celebrated the near completion of the Smale Expansion project.
New planting beds and tiered stone seat walls create welcoming spaces to gather, relax and enjoy views of the stage and surrounding park. Hundreds of pieces of sandstone, sourced from a quarry in North Dakota, contribute to the project's distinctive character and craftsmanship. The landscape features native plantings selected to complement the existing gardens throughout Smale Riverfront Park. Thoughtful plant selections will provide visual interest in every season, from spring blooms and summer greenery to vibrant fall color and winter texture. Together, these details create a seamless extension of the park, enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining the design standards that have made Smale Riverfront Park such an extraordinary public space.
Of course, bringing these details to life takes more than thoughtful design. A special thank-you goes to the Cincinnati Parks horticulture and operations teams, whose expertise, craftsmanship and attention to detail helped transform the vision into reality. Their work will help ensure that these spaces continue to thrive and welcome visitors for years to come.
A Small but Mighty Team. An Extraordinary Community.
Behind every beautiful public space is a community of people committed to making it possible.
For Cincinnati Parks Foundation, this project is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished through philanthropy, partnership and persistence. More than $4.5 million was raised through the generosity of over 50 families and corporations. But the project's success also reflects countless hours of leadership, planning, collaboration and advocacy. The Foundation's small but mighty team worked alongside dedicated donors, board members, Cincinnati Parks and community partners to move the project forward over multiple years.
Four Cincinnati Parks Foundation board chairs: Brian Tiffany, Lisa Diedrichs, Dan Vogelpohl and Don Mellot.
That commitment extended through four Foundation board chair terms. Don Mellot, Dan Vogelpohl, Brian Tiffany and Lisa Diedrichs each played a role in advancing the project during their respective terms. Seeing all four together at the ribbon cutting was a powerful reminder that meaningful projects often extend beyond any one person's tenure. Each leader helped carry the vision forward, building on the work of those who came before.
We also extend special appreciation to Foundation board member Kelly Kolar, founder and CEO of the strategic design firm, Kolar Design. Her creative expertise and longstanding commitment to Smale Riverfront Park have helped shape the park's identity and the experience of those who visit it.
And, of course, our deepest gratitude goes to the Smale family, whose generosity and enduring love for Cincinnati have helped create a legacy that belongs to the entire community.
Cincinnati Parks Foundation Board Member and Kolar Design founder and CEO Kelly Kolar was instrumental to the expansion project.
Seeing the Impact of Generosity.
Following the ribbon cutting, the Foundation had the pleasure of taking many of the project's donors on a tour of Smale Riverfront Park. It was an opportunity to experience the completed improvements together, appreciate the craftsmanship and landscaping up close, and see the tangible results of their investments. For the Foundation, these moments are especially meaningful. Behind every gift is someone who believes in the power of public parks to connect people, strengthen neighborhoods and enrich our city. The tour was a chance to celebrate not only what had been built, but also the relationships, generosity and shared commitment that made it possible.
An Investment in Cincinnati's Future.
During the celebration, Board of Park Commissioners President Molly North reflected on the powerful relationship between a city and its public spaces: Our parks reflect the health of our city, just as our city reflects the heart of our parks. She described Smale Riverfront Park as perhaps Cincinnati's most important park because it serves as our city's front door. It's where visitors discover Cincinnati, where families make memories, where friends gather and where our community comes together to celebrate. Investing in spaces like Smale Riverfront Park is about much more than landscaping or infrastructure. It is an investment in quality of life, civic pride, connection and the future of our city.
And while the ribbon has been cut, the legacy continues.
The gardens will grow. Families will gather. Music will fill the riverfront. New generations will discover the park and make it their own.
The people who made it possible have given Cincinnati something enduring: a beautiful place to come together and a reminder of what we can accomplish when we share a vision for our city's future.
To the Smale family, our donors, board members, Cincinnati Parks colleagues, partners and every person who helped make this moment possible: Thank you for loving Cincinnati Parks.
Scroll through the photo gallery to see images from the ribbon cutting:
