Eden Park, Cincinnati
Eden Park was first purchased in 1881 from Nicholas Longworth to construct a proper reservoir and park for the people of Cincinnati. It wasn't until 1904 the reservoir was finished along with the Pump Station. 50 years later the reservoir was partially demolished in order to make way to a new reservoir location, leaving behind remnants of the original structure wall.
Eden Park Reservoir and Mt. Hope Pumping Station (1904-1951)
Remnants of the Eden Park Reservoir Wall (1951-Current)
Climbing on the Eden Park Reservoir Wall
Top Rope Climbing
On the original interior of the Reservoir wall, climbers can rig an anchor point to the welded cast iron railing and belay from the ground. This allows a climber to advance without the risk of falling, as the belay will take out the slack in the rope. The entire interior of the wall can be utilized.
Bouldering
Some of the original features of the Reservoir Wall allow for climbers to climb without a rope in areas that are no taller than 25ft. This is mostly on the original exterior facade of the wall.
Rappelling
Because the top of the Reservoir Wall is accessible without the need of ropes. Climbers can practice rappelling, by establishing an anchor point off the welded cast iron railing. They can lower themselves off the edge of the wall with a rappel device, and climbing rope. This is most commonly executed with just one person.
Opportunity to Activate Existing Community
Within 6 hours from Cincinnati, Ohio, you could go to some of the world’s best areas for rock climbing. At the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, there are 2,192 climbing routes within an area that is 1/5 the size of Chicago, IL. Climbing is the fastest growing activity in the outdoor industry. In 2019, an Access Fund study concluded that Non-local climbers visiting the New River Gorge region to rock climb spent an estimated $12.1 million in a three-county region in 2018 in rural West Virginia. Those expenditures supported an estimated 168 jobs and $6.3 million in wages.
