Mt. Airy Community

Mt. Airy Forest/Arboretum

The History

Mt. Airy Forest had its origins in 1911 when the Cincinnati Park Board purchased 168 acres of land lying west of Colerain Avenue near the top of the Colerain hill, thus starting the first municipal reforestation project in the United States. Originally composed of small produce and dairy farms, the land had suffered from indiscriminate clearing of trees, unrestricted cattle grazing and poor agricultural practices. The result over a period of years was depleted soil condition and erosion. As quoted in a 1914 Cincinnati Times Star editorial, a farmer "facetious remarked that his farm (in Westwood) was a good one when he first took it up but that since he had cleared off all the trees it had slid down the creek and was to be found somewhere in the neighborhood of New Orleans."

Planting and rehabilitation of the farmland purchased in 1911 began almost immediately. During the next 10 years, over 1,000 acres were acquired for reforestation and conservation purposes and, in later years, additional land acquisition increases the total area to its present 1,469.913 acres. What was once scarred, eroded, and nearly treeless ridges and slopes has become today's lush forest which includes 700 acres reforested in hardwoods; 200 acres reforested in evergreens; 269 acres in native woodland; 170 acres of open meadows and 120 acres of arboretum development.

The Arboretum

With its beautiful trees, gardens and woody plant collections, the Mt. Airy Arboretum is a major feature of the Cincinnati parks. The Arboretum can boast of more than 5,000 plants representing 1,600 species and varieties of deciduous trees and shrubs and evergreens. What may be the most outstanding dwarf conifer collection in the Midwest is found in the Arboretum around a picturesque spring-fed, one-acre lake. Aside from its beauty and variety, the Arboretum is a unique teaching instrument serving teachers, students, and adult groups. Tours and slide talks can be arranged through the Cincinnati Park Board Volunteers. The Arboretum also benefits both horticulturists and amateur gardeners as atesting area for the observation of growth, habits and tolerance of plants in the Cincinnati environment. And while picnicking is not permitted in the Arboretum, it is a popular site for outdoor weddings which can be scheduled through the Cincinnati Park Boad Administration office

Park Facilities

As Cincinnati's largest park (containing about 40 percent of the Park Board's total acreage), Mt. Airy Forest offers 23 picnic areas with picnic tables, charcoal grills, swing sets and softball fields. Three forest lodges and two picnic areas are available on a fee basis by reservation, as well as two council areas for organized youth group overnight camping. For those interested in walking through deep ravines along streams and fossil beds million of years old, Mt. Airy Forest offers fourteen miles of hiking trails and for horseback riders, sixteen miles of bridle trails. And in the winter there is cross-counry skiing. The hiking trail system is designated trail by the Boy Scouts of America and referred to by them as "The Trail of the Explorers."

Mt. Airy Forest, with its trees, shrubs, and wildflowers, offers a never-ending variety of natural beauty. While surrounded by an urban environment, it is home to a great variety of flora and fauna including Virginia whitetail deer and a rare and endangered salamander. One can even observe "sink holes" at Mt. Airy, something rare in our area.

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t.schaller@worldnet.att.net

Useful Links

Cincinnati Park Board