Lincoln Heights selected for ‘Community Makeover’ by Reds, P&G, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Children’s & GE
The Cincinnati Reds, P&G, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and General Electric have selected the Village of Lincoln Heights for the 2022 Community Makeover.
Now in its 13th year, the annual Community Makeover brings together some of Cincinnati’s oldest and most iconic institutions with local community partners to make a transformative and sustainable impact on a Greater Cincinnati neighborhood while strengthening youth baseball and softball programs.
“The Reds are proud to serve Reds Country with this year’s Community Makeover projects and bring positive change to Lincoln Heights and its residents,” said Phil Castellini, Reds President and COO. “Since 2010, the Makeover has been one of the Reds Community Fund’s largest outreach initiatives and we are thrilled to be partnering again with P&G, the Zoo, Children’s and GE.”
Lincoln Heights is implementing a six-point strategic plan to address economic development, infrastructure, operations, safety, stakeholder relationship and communications. The Makeover fits perfectly with this strategy.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Community Makeover to the Village,” said Lincoln Heights Mayor Ruby Kinsey-Mumphrey. “Not only does it give our young people more recreational options, it will also be a catalytic investment for Lincoln Heights and spur investment along the Lindy Avenue Corridor, which is central to our revitalization strategy.”
The Village of Lincoln Heights was established in 1947 and was the first African American self-governing community north of the Mason-Dixon Line. It currently has approximately 3,300 residents.
*The Community Makeover will feature six project sites within the village: *
- Memorial Field: Playing field improvements, entryway upgrades, ADA accessibility and more
- Lincoln Heights Elementary: Indoor/outdoor renovations; adding solar power, STEM resources, broadband access and more
- Serenity Park & Municipal Building: Renovations to greenspace and playground plus indoor community spaces
- St. Monica’s Center: Teen room makeover and outdoor recreation space
- Lincoln Heights Outreach Inc.: Renovation of clothing store and food pantry; new adult learning space
- The HealthCare Connection - Lincoln Heights Health Center: Indoor and outdoor renovations and beautification
Preliminary work is scheduled to begin in the spring and the community will be invited to a ground-breaking ceremony at a date to be announced.
The effort will culminate on August 4 when more than 400 volunteers will join Lincoln Heights residents and community leaders for the day-long service project.
GE returns as a project partner after taking part in the 2018 Community Makeover in the Roselawn neighborhood. Located in nearby Evendale, GE will provide both financial and volunteer support.
Lincoln Heights received an initial investment of $359,000 from Hamilton County for the Memorial Field renovation. This County funding is helping the Community Makeover effort have an even greater impact at Memorial Field and throughout the Village.
Additional project partners include OneSource Center, Cincinnati ToolBank, the Duke Energy Foundation and SonLight Power.
Updated information on the Community Makeover can be found at www.reds.com/Makeover including project details and volunteer opportunities.
About the Community Makeover
The Reds Community Fund and P&G have partnered for the Community Makeover since 2010. Cincinnati Zoo and Cincinnati Children’s joined the partnership in 2013 for the first project in Avondale that included Gabriel’s Place, Hirsch Recreation Center and Hirsch ballfields. GE previously partnered in 2018 in Roselawn. Past Community Makeover projects include:
- 2021: Avondale – Rockdale Academy, South Avondale Elementary School, Taft Boys & Girls Club, Rockdale Recreation Area, Avondale Recreation Area and Larona Park
- 2020: Avondale – South Avondale Elementary School
- 2019: St. Bernard – Ross Park, Frank Robinson Field and St. Bernard Community Room
- 2018: Roselawn – New Prospect Baptist Church and the Summit Center
- 2017: Evanston – Hoffman School, Hoffman Ballfields and Wayne Lurix Memorial Nature Playscape
- 2016: Lower Price Hill – Evans Field and playground, Community Gardens and Joe Williams Family Center
- 2015: West End – Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses, Sands School playground and Dyer Ballfields
- 2014: South Cumminsville – Wayne Ballfields and Millvale Recreation Center
- 2013: Avondale – Gabriel’s Place, Hirsch Recreation Center and Hirsch ballfields
- 2012: Cheviot – Memorial Fields, historic grandstand and Cheviot Memorial Fieldhouse
- 2011: North College Hill – High school field and community center plus youth field in Winton Place
- 2010: Winton Place – Brandon Phillips Field and P&G Field