FORT THOMAS — City officials, with a timely assist from a local family, have converted a former gas station and auto repair shop into a landscaped park at one of the city's gateways.

        Coming to Fort Thomas from Memorial Parkway, visitors encounter the park, graced by the city's official Christmas tree, at the crossroads where Memorial Parkway, North Fort Thomas Avenue, Sterling Avenue and Rob Roy Avenue converge.

Joe Tyree walks past the Christmas tree in the new park at Fort Thomas Avenue and Memorial Parkway. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        “It's not quite finished, but it already looks very nice,” city administrator Jeff Earlywine said Tuesday.

        “And we couldn't have done it without help from the Steinman family. They stepped forward when we needed them.”

        The city bought the triangular lot for about $200,000 last summer when the owner decided to move his auto repair business.

        “We found some money late in the budget process that enabled us to demolish the building,” Mr. Earlywine said, “but there was no additional money in the city's budget for the finish work and landscaping.”

        Enter Fort Thomas businessman Jack Steinman, his wife, Joyce, and their son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Patricia Steinman. The Steinmans provided the necessary money — about $35,000 — to turn a flat, empty lot into an attractive park with plants, trees and grass.

        “We just felt we wanted to do something to help our community,” said Eric Steinman, who grew up in Fort Thomas. “I think it turned out very well.”

        This is the second city park made possible by philanthropic citizens, and the two parks are within sight of each other just a few city blocks apart.

        When the city was able to acquire a small piece of property on Memorial Parkway across from the Newport Waterworks reservoir several years ago, Fort Thomas businessman and developer Charles Riggs paid for the playground equipment to convert the land into a park.

        Vicky Combs, who lives just behind the playground park and works at Balloons Across The River across the street from the new park, said she was pleased with both endeavors.

        “The new park should be a good thing for the neighborhood and the city, as long as it doesn't become a hangout for young people,” she said.

        “The (Riggs) park is a great place for the young children, and the city has made sure that there are no problems there.”

        The new park was landscaped by Fort Thomas resident and professional landscaper Gabe Rice from a concept by Fort Thomas landscape architect Chris Manning.

        “I have had more positive comment and feedback from the public about this improvement than any I can remember in 19 years with the city,” he said.

        The park will have additional touches added after the holiday season, including new Victorian-era lights, iron benches, and a cast-iron pedestal and urn in the center that will be filled with flowers during the spring, summer and fall.

        “Next spring, the city will tear out and replace all the concrete around the site,” Mr. Earlywine said. “Some of the public walks need to be replaced, and we'll replace all the depressed curbing that served as entrances to the business.”

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