Winton Hills selected for ‘Community Makeover’ by Reds, P&G and Zoo
The Cincinnati Reds, P&G and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, along with Cincinnati Children’s, GE Aerospace, Kroger, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Greater Cincinnati Foundation, have selected the Cincinnati neighborhood of Winton Hills for the 2026 Community Makeover.
Now in its 17th year, the Community Makeover brings together Cincinnati’s most historic and iconic institutions with local community partners to create a lasting, transformative impact in a Greater Cincinnati neighborhood while strengthening youth baseball and softball programs.
“This investment in Winton Hills brings renewed pride to our neighborhood, creates safe and welcoming spaces for our youth, and shows what’s possible when longtime partners like the Reds, P&G and the Zoo work hand in hand with residents to build a stronger community for all,” said Obalaye Macharia, president of the Winton Hills Community Council.
“Every year the Community Makeover is transformative and exciting for everyone in these neighborhoods,” said Reds President and CEO Phil Castellini. “Bringing these projects to life will make a long-lasting impact, and the Reds Community Fund is honored to help lead these efforts as a meaningful way for the Reds to give back to the people living throughout Reds Country.”
The 2026 Community Makeover will feature five project sites within Winton Hills.
Winton Hills Academy - Cincinnati Public Schools
- Transforming the school health office into a Community Health Center (in partnership with WinMed)
- Zoo garden with path and outdoor classroom
- Indoor murals in partnership with Arte and Brent Billingsley
- New playground in partnership with Playground Equipment Services
- New STEM lab in partnership with GE Aerospace
Winton Hills Recreation Center - Cincinnati Recreation Commission
- Upgrading playground in partnership with Playground Equipment Services
- Updating 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 (including Brandon Phillips Field)
- Refurbishing trails and walkways
Preliminary work began in the spring, and the effort will culminate on Thursday, July 23, when more than 400 volunteers will join the Winton Hills community for the day-long service project.
The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) has joined the 2026 Community Makeover as a new partner, contributing resources and more than 100 volunteers. Two CMHA properties, Winton Terrace and Findlater Gardens, will be included in this year’s efforts to enhance the broader neighborhood. A key highlight will be an original art design featured on the outdoor basketball court at Winton Terrace.
The inaugural Reds and P&G Community Makeover took place in Winton Place in 2010, bringing together 125 volunteers to renovate Brandon Phillips Field for baseball and P&G Field for softball, as well as completing landscaping improvements around Cincinnati Public Schools’ Jacobs Center.
About Winton Hills
Winton Hills is a residential neighborhood located in northern Cincinnati and is one of the city’s 52 designated neighborhoods. The community is closely tied to Cincinnati’s history of public housing, with Winton Terrace serving as a central feature of the neighborhood. Over the decades, Winton Hills has evolved into a close‑knit community shaped by its historical roots, strong neighborhood identity, and ongoing efforts to invest in residents, youth programs and community spaces.
Winton Hills Community Makeover partners
- Lead partners: P&G, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Reds, Reds Community Fund
- Major partners: Cincinnati Children’s, GE Aerospace, Kroger, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
- Civic partners: Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Public Schools
- Neighborhood partners: Winton Hills Community Council, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Community partners: United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati ToolBank, OneSource, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Shoes 4 The Shoeless, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Toys for Tots
About the Community Makeover
Since 2010, the Reds Community Fund and P&G have collaborated on the Community Makeover. In 2013, the partnership expanded to include the Cincinnati Zoo and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and has continued to expand with the support of many additional partners and community organizations. In 2023, the Reds received Major League Baseball’s Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence, an annual honor given to an MLB team. This award recognized the 2022 Lincoln Heights Community Makeover. For more information, visit www.reds.com/Makeover.