Sayler Park and Riverside: Navigating Cincinnati from West to East
- Anthony Gustely
- Sep 3, 2020
- 6 min read
Hi everyone! Welcome or welcome back to my site. It's week one of "52 First Impressions" and I couldn't be more excited to embark on this journey into Cincinnati's 52 Neighborhoods! Moving forward, I'll be navigating through the Cincinnati on a directional basis, beginning on the far West Side and moving eastward.
Sayler Park
As the first stop on my journey, I had no idea what to expect when I visited Sayler Park this week. Before starting my research for this project, Sayler Park was one of the many neighborhoods I didn't even know existed. Located 11 miles west of Downtown Cincinnati, Sayler Park has been the neighborhood farthest-west within city limits since its annexation in 1911.
Originally named Home City, the neighborhood is home to several industrial companies along its Ohio River border. If you've bought ice from a gas station or grocery store, you may be familiar with Home City Ice, which named itself after Sayler Park.
Shortly after arriving in the neighborhood Park on an early Saturday morning, I immediately understood why Sayler Park is known for its community atmosphere. While walking through the quaint downtown district, several community members were out an about: taking a morning run, walking their dogs, working at the local Ace Hardware store, or grabbing a coffee at family-owned Sayler Park Coffee. My good friend and travel partner for this week, Nicole, and I opted for the latter (we were in dire need of a caffeine pick-me-up for our early morning start). Masks on and coffees in hand, Nicole and I took a short walk to the community's gathering space and namesake: Sayler Park Square.
The best part of Sayler Park's downtown area is the close proximity of community amenities that the 3-block area offers: the post office, bank, bakery, coffee shop, hardware store, theater, and community gathering space are all within walking distance of each other.
There was something incredibly peaceful about strolling around Sayler Park Square. Quietly situated between the commercial and residential districts, the park houses a robust inventory of large trees and immaculate landscaping. The infographics at the entrance of the park caught Nicole I's eye, and we spent a moment reading about the community's history. Sayler Park Square is a great location to sit and read, walk your dog, picnic, or attend the local farmer's market held each Tuesday from 4-7 PM (June-August).
After finishing our brief stop in downtown Sayler Park, we made our way to the Ohio River to walk in Fernbank Park. Managed by the Cincinnati Park Board and Great Parks of Hamilton County, Fernbank Park offers over a mile of riverfront views and multiple running and hiking trails as well as 2 shelters, a playground, and access to river bank fishing.
While Nicole and I kept our distance from others and wore our masks, the park was fairly active when we were there. There were many runners, walkers, and bikers, ranging from family groups, to older couples, to teenagers utilizing the trails. It was also exciting to learn about the shelters within the park, which were constructed in 1934 and were products of FDR's New Deal programs including the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Just a short drive away from Fernbank Park sits another hidden gem: Cincinnati's smallest public park. Located at the intersection of Gracely Drive and Thornton Avenue, the Thornton Triangle sits at approximately .01 square acres in land area.
With a statue placed in the center of the park honoring the fallen indigenous hero,Tecumseh, the park is a modern marvel. To date, Thornton Triangle has survived two car accidents (both of which knocked down the statue of Tecumseh) and an F4 Tornado which swept through Sayler Park in 1974.
In need of a light snack after all of our walking, Nicole and I crossed back over River Road to eat at Cabana on the River, a local West Side spot serving food and drinks, a volleyball court, and a stunning river view to top it all off. We ordered pickle chips, guac, and pretzel sticks: all of which were amazing! Our waitress, who recently moved back to Sayler Park with her family, explained to us that Sayler Park was had come "back to life" in a sense over the past few decades. She spoke highly of the community atmosphere and noted the upkeep and the internal and external renovations of the older housing stock throughout the neighborhood.
We concluded our visit to Sayler Park with a visit next door to 13 Below Brewery. Located 13 Nautical Miles below downtown Cincinnati, 13 Below offers a variety of beers on tap, and partners with Incline Smoke Shack, serving BBQ in a food truck out front. Modern yet homey, 13 Below is a great spot to hang out with friends or family and watch sports and have a bite and flight of a few home brews. I tried the Big Red Ale, an Irish Red Ale named after the Cincinnati Reds. Mild and slightly sweet, this beer is perfect for someone who isn't a huge fan of beer (Sorry, Dad!).
One of Sayler Park's greatest assets is its feeling of community and completeness, making it an attractive area for both local visitors and permanent residents. It makes perfect sense now why Sayler Park was once called "Home City". Its vast greenspaces, small-town vibes, friendly community, and local amenities make you feel like you're right where you belong: at home.
Riverside
Directly East of Sayler Park is Riverside, a primarily industrial neighborhood that stretches over 5 miles along the Ohio River. Riverside was annexed into city limits in 1893; 18 years prior to Sayler Park. In the 1840s, Riverside was one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Similar to Sayler Park, River Road (U.S. 50) runs parallel to the Ohio River and bisects the neighborhood, conveniently separating industrial use (river side) from the residential, commercial, and institutional uses. Fun fact: did you know that only 10 of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods face the Ohio riverfront?
Nicole and I began our visit in Riverside with a visit to Daniel J. Gilday Recreation Complex, also known as Riverside Park. The park is situated right along the Ohio River and provides picturesque views in addition to a playground, baseball fields, a boat launch, and a walking trail.
After snapping a few quick pictures, we took off and drove back towards the Sayler Park / Riverside border to the Anderson Ferry.
Anderson Ferry, opened in 1817, serves as a unique, quick, and affordable way for West Siders to cross the Ohio River into Kentucky, you guessed it, by boat. Originally built out of wood and powered by horses, the Ferry now provides quick access to CVG Airport (3 miles from the Ferry) and I-275. The Ferry costs a mere 50 cents one-way for pedestrians and 5 dollars one-way for cars and is definitely worth the trip! Nicole and I had a blast coasting across the river, and got some great pictures of the beautiful view, with the hills of Kentucky in the background. The Anderson Ferry is definitely one of the most interesting experiences you can find that's unique to the Queen City. Check it out sometime!
Nearing lunchtime, Nicole and I capped our trip to Riverside off with a visit to Jim & Jacks on the River, a local joint offering drinks, pizza, bar food, and live music. The interior of the country themed restaurant has an open concept floor plan, with a wrap-around bar near the entrance and massive stage in the center of the dining area.
To eat I got the chili and a salad and Nicole tried the fries and a salad. All of the food was amazing: I especially liked my homemade chili, one of the best renditions of Cincinnati chili I've had in a while.
Perhaps the best part about Riverside is actually that it isn't an immediate eye-catcher. While many may see it as simply a pass-through neighborhood adjacent to River Road, it has so much to offer: good food, fun times, and even prime accessibility into Kentucky. Just because an area is primarily dominated by industrial land use doesn't mean it can't possess a unique charm!
Thanks for following along this week! A reminder that I'm visiting 2 neighborhoods and posting one blog post each week. Feel free to subscribe to the blog to get post notifications or send me a DM on Instagram (@anthonygustely) if you have any questions about the project!
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