For years, the stretch of Mill Creek that slices through Cincinnati has been written off as an industrial back alley of the city, largely ignored and out of view. Now a fresh batch of renderings is pulling that low-lying corridor into the spotlight, sketching out a future with trails, pocket parks, and a small waterfront gathering spot. Project leaders and neighborhood advocates are asking residents to speak up on what belongs in the valley, from docks and food pavilions to bike paths and lookout towers.
Renderings lay out 'Llewellyn's Landing' and more
The new images center on a proposed "Llewellyn’s Landing" that would feature a dock, food-and-beverage pavilions, a connecting trail and a lookout tower, along with activation ideas for the Beekman Corridor, Lick Run and Lower Price Hill, as reported by WKRC Local12. Darryl Franklin, who serves on the Experience Mill Creek executive committee, told the station the creek is "one of Cincinnati's hidden gems" and urged neighbors to help set the project's priorities. Project leaders stress that the renderings are illustrative only, and say final designs will be shaped by resident feedback.
Phase 1, small steps and the survey
The concepts are part of the broader Experience Mill Creek initiative, which has posted a Phase 1 report and maps that lay out phased interventions and trail connections, per Experience Mill Creek. The team is pushing a "start small" strategy with temporary activations, pocket parks and incremental trail links, so ideas can be tested and tweaked on the ground. The project website houses background data, concept drawings and a "Get Involved" portal where residents can review materials and submit feedback.
Who’s leading the outreach
Yard & Co., a Cincinnati-based urban design studio, is leading the concept work and public engagement, according to the firm. Kevin Wright, a principal with Yard & Co., told WKRC Local12 that "in a way, it's like we've found new waterfront property" and said organizers want long-time residents at the table so change does not outpace the community. Wright added that the preferred play is to activate smaller sites first, then build on what works instead of betting everything on a single massive plan.
Where this fits in city plans
The Mill Creek ideas line up with the city's Revive Cincinnati planning update for the Lower Mill Creek Valley, which notes that draft recommendations will be shared at two public meetings in September, according to City Planning and Engagement. That planning work sits alongside long-running restoration and greenway efforts led by local groups that have pushed for trail connections and water-quality improvements to make redevelopment realistic. The Mill Creek Alliance and partner organizations say better public access and stronger creek ecology remain core goals for whatever comes next in the valley.
How to weigh in
Residents can review the concept images and complete an online survey through the project website, where the Experience Mill Creek "Get Involved" page hosts both the renderings and the feedback form. Project leads say the input gathered now will steer which concepts advance into detailed design and, ultimately, construction.
