Review the draft Montgomery Road Plan

Norwood residents helped “relaunch the Pike” when they attended a November 19 open house to review the first draft of a new vision for Montgomery Road.

Because of covid restrictions, Norwood Together and the City of Norwood had to limit the number of people at the open house. But residents still have time to review the draft plan and share their ideas for the Pike.

See the plan highlights here, and the open house presentation here.

Then email your feedback and questions to Norwood Together: norwoodtogether@gmail.com.

The Montgomery Road Plan is the result of a $30,000 planning grant secured earlier this year by Norwood Together and the City of Norwood. A steering committee of residents, city officials, and business leaders have been helping Hamilton County planners create a vision for Montgomery Road, a blueprint to “relaunch the Pike,” as Mayor Schneider says. The plan is for Montgomery Road from Dana Avenue to the Norwood Lateral.

What planners will share at the open house is just the first draft. Hamilton County planners will incorporate residents’ ideas into the plan before submitting it to city officials for adoption.

Continue ReadingReview the draft Montgomery Road Plan

New Floral micro-park thanks to you

Norwood has a new place for neighbors to gather, and walkers and bicyclists have a new rest stop on their way to or from Wasson Way.

Jon Moore, with help from neighbors and a $500 Wasson Way Mini-Grant from Norwood Together, installed a micro-park at the corner of Hudson and Floral avenues this fall. Read Jon’s reflections on the project here.

Wasson Way Mini-Grants are meant to encourage experimentation, build leadership, and bring people together.  And that’s exactly what Jon’s micro park has done already. Dozens of residents donated to this project, which includes two benches, a trash can, two trees, and a large garden bed. Neighbors, including a handful of children, came together to install the park, and some of them will be helping Jon with maintenance of this new community space.

Funding for the Wasson Way Mini-Grant program came from Norwood residents who wanted to encourage their neighbors to use the biking and walking trail, and make it easier for people to access Wasson Way, which runs along the south end of Norwood. From beginning to end, the micro park at Floral and Hudson is a community project — one resident’s idea, supported by the work and generosity of his neighbors. It’s a wonderful thing to see. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!

Continue ReadingNew Floral micro-park thanks to you

Montgomery Road needs your ideas!

At a November 19 open house, Norwood will have the chance to help “relaunch the Pike” and review the first draft of a new vision for Montgomery Road. The open house is 7 to 9 p.m. November 19 at the Community Center, 1810 Courtland Ave.

Covid restrictions mean limited attendance, so Norwood Together is asking everyone to  register here to reserve their seat for either the 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. hour of the open house. Attendees also must wear a mask.

Earlier this year,Norwood Together and the City of Norwood secured a $30,000 planning grant to create a redevelopment plan for Montgomery Road from Dana Avenue to the Norwood Lateral. A steering committee of residents, city officials, and business leaders have been helping county planners create a vision for Montgomery Road, a blueprint to “relaunch the Pike,” as Mayor Schneider says.

What planners will share at the open house is just the first draft. A final vision will take your ideas. 

In each half of the event, planners will give a short presentation on the process and the draft plan, and people will have the opportunity to review maps and recommendations and share their thoughts. The open house will be filmed by Norwood TV, and people also can submit their ideas by emailing Norwood Together here. 

Continue ReadingMontgomery Road needs your ideas!

New Welcome Bags ready thanks to OTO Supply Co.

Thanks to OTO Supply Co., we’ve upgraded our Welcome Bags for new residents.

OTO donated cloth tote bags to hold all of the information and goodies we stash inside Welcome Bags so that new residents have all the information they need to settle into Norwood. Everything in the bags is donated, and volunteers assemble the bags so they’re ready for anyone who needs to welcome a new neighbor.

Request a Welcome Bag for your neighbor here.

Here are the organizations and individuals who have donated coupons, information or other items for the Welcome Bags:

  • OTO Supply Co.
  • Jennifer McGillis
  • Greene’s Florist
  • New City Presbyterian Church
  • Boy Scouts
  • Norwood Business and Professional Women’s Club
  • Azalea Montessori
  • Cappy’s
  • Listermann’s
  • The Valley Church (a coupon for Angilo’s Pizza!)
  • Gem of The Highlands 5K
  • ASAP Norwood
  • Moriah Pie
  • Created Designs by Susan

Thank you to everyone who has donated goods or time so far! If you would like to donate items for the Welcome Bags, email norwoodtogether@gmail.com.

Continue ReadingNew Welcome Bags ready thanks to OTO Supply Co.

Hunter Park Clean-Up volunteers beat the rain

Thank you to all the volunteers who came out in July for the Hunter Park Meet-Up Clean-Up Eat-Up.

We got a lot of work done before the storm rolled in, and many of us enjoyed a supper of AJ’s Cheesesteaks, which is always a good idea. Thanks to the city for working with us on this project! We’re making plans now for another clean-up at Hunter and more events at other parks.

Let us know if you want to help!

Continue ReadingHunter Park Clean-Up volunteers beat the rain

Apply for a Wasson Way Mini-Grant

In the fall of 2019, Norwood Together raised money to support our section of the Wasson Way walking/biking trail. A portion of that money will be used for Wasson Way Mini-Grants that will support individuals’ ideas to improve the trail and/or encourage walking and biking in Norwood.

The applications period for the mini-grant program opens July 1. To learn more or apply, click here.

The grants will support the work of Norwood residents. Our city has so many talented, creative people, and Norwood Togethers wants to use these grants to help bring good ideas to reality.

Continue ReadingApply for a Wasson Way Mini-Grant

City, Norwood Together receive $30,000 grant for Montgomery Road redevelopment plan

Hamilton County has awarded a $30,000 community development block grant to the city of Norwood to create a redevelopment plan for Montgomery Road. Norwood Together wrote the grant on behalf of the city and will manage the implementation and execution of the grant, which is part of the county’s mini planning grant program. 

Revitalizing Montgomery Road was identified as a key economic priority in the 2019 Norwood Quality of Life Plan, which was created by a grassroots group of residents with help from LISC of Greater Cincinnati. This group subsequently organized as Norwood Together, with support from Interact for Health and Community Building Institute of Xavier University, to work toward the goals of the 10-year strategic plan. With the approval of city officials, Norwood Together wrote the Montgomery Road planning grant. 

Residents and community stakeholders envisioned Montgomery Road as the heart of a thriving, walkable community. City officials agree that Montgomery Road improvement and development is vital to the city’s economic success. The mini planning grant, which is $30,000 of in-kind planning services from Hamilton County, is the first step toward this shared goal. 

“Now the real work begins,” said Mayor Victor Schneider. “This is the start of great days for Norwood.” 

With the grant support from Hamilton County, Norwood Together and the City of Norwood, along with partners including CBI and HCDC, will convene and survey key stakeholders, conduct market research and analysis; assess physical, policy and funding needs; and create a strategic plan for redevelopment of Montgomery Road. The final plan will guide future investment along the corridor from Xavier University north to the Norwood Lateral. 

Norwood Together will begin the work this summer. The grant must be used within the year. 

Continue ReadingCity, Norwood Together receive $30,000 grant for Montgomery Road redevelopment plan

Your donations at work: Wasson Way

You raised more than $2,500 in the fall of 2019 to improve Norwood’s section of Wasson Way and encourage residents to use the walking/biking trail that runs through the south end of our city. Working with Wasson Way and listening to residents’ requests, we used your generous contributions to purchase trash cans and dog waste stations for the trail.

Thanks to volunteers Jeanne Sickinger and Collin Loch for installing the stations!


Continue ReadingYour donations at work: Wasson Way

Free Creamy Whip cones on July 21!

Like so many Norwood residents, we love the Norwood Day Parade and were sad when it was, understandably, canceled because of Covid-19. We want to give people something else to look forward to this summer. So, on July 21, Norwood Together is giving away FREE cones at Creamy Whip! 

The first 100 people to visit Creamy Whip that day during normal hours and mention Norwood Together will get a free ice cream cone. 

Continue ReadingFree Creamy Whip cones on July 21!