Become a part of Owl's Nest history. Donate today and help us continue to build the legacy of Owl's Nest Pavilion.
Owl's nest park
Owl's Nest Park is a beloved green space in Cincinnati, which sits at the intersection of three neighborhoods: East Walnut Hills, O'Bryonville and Evanston. This park, with over five acres of green land, has been a cornerstone of community life since its inception in 1905 when it was donated by Charles E. and Edward C. Perkins, in honor of their parents. Over the decades, Owl's Nest Park has grown both in size and significance and is now over 10 acres.
History of the Owl's Nest Pavilion
Prominent Cincinnati architects, Elzner & Anderson, designed the pavilion and field house, now known as Owl's Nest Pavilion. This impressive brick structure, dedicated as a pool and field house in 1933, sits in the middle of the property, with the front of the pavilion offering views of a grand lawn facing Madison Road. The lower level, accessed from the back of the pavilion, once held restrooms, concessions and views of a baseball field and a swimming pool. The pool permanently closed in the 1990s and the Pavilion was shuttered. Along with the closing, the Pavilion and park fell into disrepair.
Community in Action
Owl's Nest Park has long been a cornerstone of the East Walnut Hills, O'Bryonville and Evanston communities. 20 years ago, representatives from all three neighborhoods formed Owl's Nest Park Advisory Council and have worked together to support this shared green space. In 2005, members of the surrounding communities spearheaded a $2 million public/private redevelopment plan for Owl's Nest Park, with the goals of creating a venue for community gatherings and to knit the surrounding neighborhoods together.
In 2021, together with the East Walnut Hills Assembly, Friends of Evanston Park and the O'Bryonville Business Association, the Advisory Council protested the planned demolition of the aging Pavilion structure. Feedback from neighbors and stakeholders resulted in an outpouring of community to support to save the building and initiated the community engagement process for driving these improvements.
owl's nest 2.0
Following months of community engagement, we're fundraising to complete a $4.1 million plan focused on the renovation of the pavilion, as well as other unfinished features of the original project. The newly imagined Owl's Nest Park and Pavilion have been designed to meet the diverse needs of park's surrounding community, offering features for all ages and interests.
The plan includes:
- Historic Preservation and Renewal: With the surrounding neighborhood's support, the centerpiece of this project is the renovation of the Pavilion. This new plan will create an open and accessible Pavilion and overlook, while maintaining the historic brick facade, archways and roofline of the original structure.
- Improved Accessibility: The Pavilion will have accessible restrooms, an ADA parking spot and concrete pathways seamlessly linking the park from the entrance to the Pavilion. The connectivity will allow residents, local skilled nursing facilities, schools and families to access all areas of the park.
- Community Gathering Space: Owl's Nest Pavilion will include a plaza and stage, perfect for community-hosted summer music festivals, in addition to basketball courts, a baseball diamond, and playground and picnic areas already enjoyed by the community.
- Improved Lighting, Landscaping and Entrances: Consistent lighting along pathways will link all three park entrances and add an increased sense of safety. New landscaping, including gardens that build natural barriers, will be installed around all three entrances and the Pavilion. The current wooden posts along the Madison Road entrance will be replaced with a natural landscaped barrier.
Together, we can do more in Owl's Nest Park
Join us in continuing the legacy of Owl's Nest Park and Pavilion by donating to support this vital community space. For more information, please contact Lindsay Wilhelm.