Thursday night’s sold-out Play It Forward fundraiser packed Sawyer Point with civic leaders, corporate heavy hitters and neighborhood families, all rallying to rebuild the 1,000 Hands Playground. The riverside favorite was destroyed in a Nov. 1, 2024 fire that also damaged the Daniel Carter Beard (Big Mac) Bridge, and organizers framed the night as a reboot for the space: not just a replacement of wooden towers and slides, but a more accessible, resilient playground for the next generation.
As reported by WLWT, the event sold out weeks in advance and drew backing from the Cincinnati Bengals, FC Cincinnati and Western & Southern. Rotary leaders, who helped build the original playground more than 20 years ago, are again at the center of the effort. Sara Pattison, executive director of the Rotary Club and Foundation of Cincinnati, told WLWT that organizers "care about kids of all abilities" and see the rebuild as a chance to help children thrive. The turnout highlighted how neighborhood groups and corporate donors are lining up to restore one of the riverfront’s most-used attractions.
Money and the plan
According to Cincinnati Parks, the new playground is expected to cost between $1.9 million and $2.1 million, paid for through a mix of public and private money, with the Cincinnati Parks Foundation leading the fundraising push. Parks officials say community feedback will help shape the final design and that they do not want to rush into construction before both the plan and the funding are in place. Large corporate pledges and local philanthropic groups are expected to cover a significant portion of the total.
Design, timeline and builders
Local reporting shows Cincinnati has already selected a firm to craft the custom, hand-built features that will define the new playground, with accessibility and long-lasting materials at the top of the wish list. The need for detailed design work and specialized components means the project will take time, and local outlets have reported a tentative spring 2027 opening if fundraising and permitting stay on track. As reported by FOX19, the updated layout shifts the play area east of the I‑471 bridge so it ties more directly into other riverfront amenities.
Neighbors' memories and momentum
For longtime visitors, the playground was never just a cluster of swings and slides. It was where family rituals formed and friendships stuck. "This is real therapy... it's quiet, it's peaceful down here," said Troy Crowell, who told WLWT he has been coming to Sawyer Point for 30 years and described the loss as deeply personal. That sense of attachment, combined with a shared desire to see the riverfront restored, helped drive ticket sales and secure corporate and philanthropic commitments.
How to help or weigh in
People who want to donate or follow progress can give through the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, which is coordinating Sawyer Point fundraising, and can check updates or event listings on the Rotary Club of Cincinnati Play It Forward page. Parks officials say they plan to publish opportunities for public input on the design as the process moves ahead and that construction will begin only after funding is secured and community feedback is incorporated. The sold-out Thursday night fundraiser signaled there is both enthusiasm and money behind a reimagined riverfront playground.
