Bond Hill – Grow Cincinnati:

Background

This project was the inaugural installation for our GROW program, an initiative aimed at bringing public Living Walls to community spaces in an affordable way, making world-class public art a possibility for any community. To make this a reality, Urban Blooms matched funding through a grant provided by The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, to any community interested in a Living Wall.

We received applications from a number of local communities, which we evaluated on criteria centered on social and environmental impact. The Cincinnati Neighborhoods of Bond Hill and Corryville were selected as the first winners.

Outcome

In the summer of 2017, the first of these public Living Walls was built in the recovering business district of Bond Hill. The Greater Cincinnati Redevelopment Authority provided matching funds for the project. Standing at 52 feet long and 8 feet tall, this was the largest Living Wall in Ohio at the time of completion. This wall features over 1,200 living plants from over 40 species. A wide array of flowering perennials, evergreens, and aromatic plants creates a unique and inspiring experience for the thousands of people who drive and walk past the wall every day.