Reimagining the Civic Commons: National Leaders Gather in Cincinnati to Learn from Local Innovation

From October 15–17, Cincinnati welcomed more than a hundred public space practitioners from across the country for the 10th Civic Commons Studio, part of the national Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative that unites leaders, funders, and practitioners dedicated to strengthening communities through shared public spaces. Amidst national uncertainty, participating cities are turning to local solutions, tapping the power of public places and partnerships to build more equitable, connected, and resilient futures. Representatives from ten cities, including Detroit, Philadelphia, Minneapolis–St. Paul, and Lexington, gathered in Cincinnati to experience firsthand how local collaborations are transforming neighborhoods and reconnecting people to place.

Walking Tours that Tell the Story of Connection and Change

Throughout the week, participants joined guided tours and conversations across several Cincinnati neighborhoods, each illustrating how civic partnerships are reshaping public spaces for greater community impact.

In Northside, local leaders from the Mill Creek Alliance, Common Orchard Project, NEST (Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation), and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission led a walking tour through Freedom Tree Grove and Salway Park, highlighting how green space restoration, community gardening, and urban ecology are strengthening local ties.

In South Cumminsville and Millvale, attendees joined Working In Neighborhoods (WIN), residents, and local partners at the Yellow Bridge and Ethel M. Taylor Academy to learn about ongoing efforts to transform the Mill Creek corridor into a safer, more accessible place for the community. The conversation, led in part by WIN, highlighted grassroots leadership and neighborhood advocacy that continue to drive change in this area. Participants reflected on the tragic death of Kingdesmond Jennings, whose loss has galvanized urgent action to repair dangerous conditions along the waterway. With Councilmember Mark Jeffreys and representatives from the Mill Creek Alliance in attendance, the group also learned about plans for the future Mill Creek Greenway Trail, envisioned to connect surrounding neighborhoods to the broader CROWN trail network.

Other groups explored Lower Price Hill, Fairmount, and South Fairmount, where partners from Community Matters, Groundwork ORV, Nehemiah Manufacturing, The Port, and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati discussed projects that blend economic development, environmental restoration, and social resilience.

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A series of immersive learning tours on Thursday offered participants an opportunity to experience Cincinnati’s ongoing transformation through movement and dialogue—biking the CROWN Trail to Avondale, paddling the Mill Creek, exploring community gardens, walking through Over-the-Rhine, and biking along the Ohio Riverfront. Each tour showcased how collaboration and creative reuse of public space can build civic pride and strengthen connections across communities.

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Inspiring Keynotes and Conversations at Memorial Hall

The convening’s plenary sessions were hosted at Memorial Hall, beginning with a keynote by Anand Pandian, renowned anthropologist and Krieger-Eisenhower Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Drawing from his new book, Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down, Pandian explored how thoughtfully designed and equitably managed public spaces can help bridge divides and foster belonging in a polarized world. In conversation with Kyle Kutuchief of the Knight Foundation, Pandian invited attendees to imagine new forms of connection, hospitality, and shared purpose, starting in the very parks, plazas, and trails that shape our daily lives.

A following discussion, Approaching Public Space with Intention: Equitable Neighborhood Redevelopment, brought together Alexa Bush, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Detroit, and Scott Kratz, President and CEO of Building Bridges Across the River. Their conversation highlighted how intentional design, deep community partnerships, and sustained civic leadership can shape equitable redevelopment that heals, connects, and endures.

The City Shares session featured representatives from all ten network cities who shared updates from their own Civic Commons projects, offering inspiration and practical insights for peers tackling similar challenges in their communities.

Looking Ahead

As hosts, Cincinnati offered more than a backdrop, it offered lessons in how collaboration, creativity, and care for public space can build civic trust and belonging. From the Mill Creek to Memorial Hall, the Civic Commons convening reflected a shared belief that when we reimagine public space, we also reimagine what’s possible for our communities.

For a detailed agenda and full list of speakers, view the event program here »

Connecting the Dots: How This Work Aligns with Tri-State Trails

At Tri-State Trails, we share the Civic Commons vision of public spaces that foster connection, equity, and resilience. The CROWN—a 34-mile urban trail loop linking Cincinnati’s neighborhoods and parks—is one example of how local collaboration can unite people across divides, strengthen civic life, and spark new opportunities for engagement and growth. By investing in trails and greenways, we’re not only improving access and mobility but also building the foundation for a more connected and inclusive region.