First Daylighted Stream in the Nation to Control Sewer Overflows

WHAT: This event is the grand opening of the $103 million Lick Run Greenway in South Fairmount, an historic neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Greenway is the first daylighted stream in the nation to control sewer overflows, a major environmental issue.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2021

WHERE: Lick Run Greenway in an event tent adjacent to the main parking lot at 1645 Queen City Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214

WHO: MSD Director Diana Christy
           Mayor John Cranley, City of Cincinnati
           Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas, Hamilton County
           Jim Casey, President of the South Fairmount Community Council
           MaryLynn Lodor, Deputy Director of MSD
           Bonnie Buthker, Ohio EPA District Chief, Southwest Ohio District office

PARKING: If the main parking lot is full, additional parking is available on the south side of Queen City Avenue between Harrison and Grand avenues, the south side of Westwood Avenue (use the pedestrian bridge to cross over), and side streets or local businesses.

DETAILS: The Lick Run Greenway is operated and maintained by the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) as a sustainable stormwater management project that controls sewer overflows into the Mill Creek.

Located between Queen City and Westwood avenues in South Fairmount, the Lick Run Greenway includes a mile-long stream, pond, walking paths, and improved recreational space, including green space, shelters, and new basketball courts and playground for the South Fairmount community.
This project has been in the making for 12 years. Construction began in July 2017 and is expected to completed by July 2021.

The grand opening event includes:

• Remarks from MSD and several guest speakers (see attached agenda).
• Unveiling of a large granite boulder with an embedded plaque that highlights the four main project partners: MSD, Hamilton County, City of Cincinnati, and the South Fairmount community.
• Ribbon tying ceremony where individual attendees, organizations, and other entities will be asked to tie a colored ribbon to a pole representing the blue water of the Lick Run Greenway stream (symbolizing partnerships).

PHOTO OPS: Photo ops are available day of with our speakers and throughout the Lick Run Greenway area.
Additionally, photo ops are available from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 15 in the same location during which time the Lick Run Greenway Ambassadors will be sprucing up the Greenway prior to the grand opening. The Ambassadors are a volunteer group dedicated to making the Lick Run Greenway safe, clean, welcoming, and a resource for outdoor and environmental education.

MORE INFO: This event will be livestreamed on Facebook @CincinnatiMSD. For more information about the project or event, please contact Deb Leonard or visit the project website at www.projectgroundwork.org/lickrun.

Lick Run Greenway Grand Opening, 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 18, 2021
EVENT AGENDA

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Diana Christy, MSD Director

REMARKS
John Cranley, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati

REMARKS
Stephanie Summerow Dumas
Commission President, Board of County Commissioners, Hamilton County

REMARKS
Jim Casey, President of the South Fairmount Community Council

UNVEILING OF GRANITE BOULDER/PLAQUE

REMARKS
MaryLynn Lodor, Deputy Director, MSD

REMARKS
Bonnie Buthker, Ohio EPA District Chief, Southwest Ohio office

RIBBON TYING
“GOLD” (SONG) by MACIE AND MARIE CUNNINGHAM