Cincinnati Reds supporters could breathe new life into the baseball field at a 121-year-old urban Cincinnati park.
The Reds Community Fund and Rosie Reds, both groups that support baseball and softball across the city, are working to raise money for a ballfield upgrade at Owl's Nest Park.
Cincinnati Parks is planning a $4.1 million renovation of the 10-acre park,
bordered by the communities of Evanston, East Walnut Hills and O'Bryonville."We would love to make Owl's Nest a (2027) flagpole event," Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank told the Park Board Aug. 20.
Artificial turf dries more quickly, coaches say
The Reds Community Fund, in a presentation to park executives and board members, suggested that the ballfield located on the north end of Owl's Nest include an infield made
of artificial turf and a grass outfield.
Frank said his group paused the idea last year as park officials deal with criticism over installing a dog park with artificial turf in Burnet Woods.
Frank said coaches of youth baseball and softball teams favor turf because it dries more quickly than all-grass fields.
"Even moderate rainfall can leave dirt infields unplayable for days, forcing games to be canceled, postponed or relocated," softball coaches from nearby Walnut Hills High School wrote in a letter in support for the Reds Community Fund plan.
Artificial turf would "dramatically increase the number of playable days," a letter from varsity coach Claire Thornberry and assistant varsity coach Britten Thornberry said.
The coaches hope they can use a renovated field at Owl's Nest as their team's home venue, their letter said.
Owl's Nest is where Rosie Reds 'want to be'
Frank said upgrades to just the field would likely run $250,000. Adding other desired features – including dugouts, bleachers, a scoreboard, fencing and signage – would bring the total cost to $350,000, he estimated.
Rosie Reds, a group created in 1964, stands ready to make a "six-figure contribution" to be the named field sponsor, Frank said. "This is clearly where they want to be," he said.
The Park Board did not vote on Frank's plan, but endorsed involvement from the Reds-related groups and invited them to return with a more specific spending plan.
"We're very interested in the investment," Park Board President Molly North said.
The Evanston Community Council also endorsed the concept.
"This investment will allow young athletes to develop their skills in an environment that reflects the value our community places on them," Marye Elizabeth Ward, a member of that council's executive board, wrote in a letter of support.
Pavilion to become spot for community gatherings
Cincinnati Parks and community partners have been planning to renovate Owl's Nest since at least 2021, when a pavilion built there in 1933 was set to be demolished.
Reacting to community concerns, park officials decided to instead restore the pavilion, a brick structure that once served as a pool and field house.
Plans call for the pavilion to include a plaza and stage for community gatherings. Plans also call for upgrading a basketball court, playground, picnic areas and landscaping, in addition to the baseball field.
Work is scheduled to start mid-2027 and end mid-2028, according to park records.
The Cincinnati Park Foundation is raising funds for the project.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Rosie Reds Park? Likely donors suggest new name for urban ballfield
