Reds' 2026 Community Makeover coming to Winton Hills

Last week, the Cincinnati Reds, P&G and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced that the Cincinnati neighborhood of Winton Hills will be this year’s site for the 2026 Community Makeover.

Now in its 17th year, the Community Makeover continues the tradition of bringing together Cincinnati’s most historic and iconic institutions with local community partners to create a lasting, transformative impact in a Greater Cincinnati neighborhood.

“The Community Makeover began in 2010 just blocks away at the CPS Jacobs Center and Brandon Phillips Field,” said Reds Community Fund executive director Charley Frank. “It has evolved into something bigger than baseball, with new partners, hundreds of volunteers and year-round planning. Not only are we focusing on Winton Hills Academy (CPS), the Winton Hills Recreation Center (CRC), the new Winton Hills Community Council building and Community Church, but we’ll also be working alongside the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) to make certain the entire Winton Hills community feels connected to this effort.”

On July 23, over 400 volunteers are scheduled to participate in the annual service day that will bring to life nearly a year’s worth of hard work and planning behind the scenes.

Ben Fulton, principal at Winton Hills Academy, spoke to the excitement and gratitude he has for his school being part of the project’s scope.

“I never thought this could happen -- I’ve been asking for years and years about getting a playground and a health center, and that’s never been able to become a reality until now, so we’re so thankful for this,” he said. “It’s going to really help build up the fact that we are a beacon for this neighborhood and provide a great outlet for community.

“I love the community, the kids, the families, the parents. It’s a labor of love.”

The ’26 Makeover will feature five project sites within Winton Hills:

Winton Hills Academy

• Transforming the school health office into a Community Health Center; zoo garden with path and outdoor classroom; indoor murals; new playground; new STEM lab

Winton Hills Recreation Center

• Upgraded playground; updated baseball, football and soccer fields plus a new basketball court surface; updating childcare spaces, gym equipment and game room

Winton Hills Community Council Building

• New outdoor gardens and upgrades to the gathering room, kitchen and media room

Winton Hills Community Church

• Indoor painting and outdoor garden upgrades

Jacobs Center - Cincinnati Public Schools

• Baseball and softball fields cleanup; refurbished trails and walkways

For more information, visit reds.com/makeover.