From last spring’s replacement of the Mill Creek pedestrian bridge to October’s CiTiRAMA, the Village of Woodlawn is THRIVING! We recently spoke with Vice Mayor Mike Donohue about what’s going on in this WeTHRIVE! community.
- Woodlawn is the first community outside of Cincinnati to land CitiRAMA
Mike has lived in the village for 30 years. “Woodlawn was seen by many as an island,” he said. “But you can’t get things done as an island, you have to reach out and connect.” They have done this through partnerships with Hamilton County Planning + Development, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, Ohio Public Works Commission, the neighboring communities of Wyoming, Glendale, and Lincoln Heights, and many others. Woodlawn is also a member of the Connecting Active Communities Coalition.
Woodlawn’s “campus” area is home to the village recreation center, municipal building, athletic fields, swimming pool, and elementary school. A walking/biking trail, part of the West Fork Mill Creek Greenway, connects Woodlawn to Wyoming from the south, goes through the campus, and then north to Glenwood Gardens. “We partnered with Great Parks on a grant from Interact for Health that will extend the Greenway,” Mike said. “When it’s done, hopefully in two years, the Greenway will go 15 miles from Wyoming to Woodlawn to Glenwood Gardens to Hollydale to Winton Woods.”
The new pedestrian bridge connects the campus to Springfield Pike, where residents can access bus stops and businesses. The area around the bridge, which crosses the West Fork of the Mill Creek, has been restored and is now a place where Woodlawn Elementary School students come to learn about the natural habitat.
“Woodlawn’s West Fork Mill Creek Greenway and pedestrian bridge are significant infrastructure improvements that promote neighborhood connections and easy access to outdoor recreation,” Mike said. These improvements have also spurred economic development. “Current businesses are hiring, CiTiRAMA is here, and Springfield Pike redevelopment is coming,” he added.
What’s next for Woodlawn? The Woodlawn Community Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is raising funds to build a new park. “Harmony Park will be a unique outdoor park with freestanding musical instruments,” Mike said.
We can see why people are taking notice of this long-time WeTHRIVE! community!
