By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SAYLER PARK - Hoping to turn Fernbank Park along the Ohio River into one of the finest in western Hamilton County, city and county leaders today will launch a three-year, $2.7 million improvement project.

The 58-acre riverside park has fallen into disrepair in recent years despite its prominent location at the city's western border. Leaders hope the overhaul turns the park into a regional asset.

"It makes sense from a regional perspective to get people from nearby areas like Delhi and Green townships access to a river park," said Ernie Macke, president of the Sayler Park Village Council.

Although the city owns the park, the county will lease it for 15 years in one of the city and county's cooperative efforts since the passage of the county's 1-mill park levy in 2002.

Full-scale construction begins Thursday. But Mayor Charlie Luken, county Commissioner Todd Portune and Ohio Rep. Catherine Barrett will break ground this afternoon on the project's first phase.

The $1.5 million in improvements this year at Fernbank Park is more than one-quarter of the county's capital improvement budget for the year.

Some of the changes will cater to children - including a playground with twisting slides, colorful crawl tubes and climbing equipment.

Other changes include an improved shelter, a new restroom and upgraded roads and parking lots. The city already has spent several hundred thousand dollars in the past few years for new walkways in the park.

When complete, Fernbank Park will feature new paved trails, an information kiosk, an accessible fishing area, a lawn for outdoor concerts, and a new prairie habitat.

The county already has taken over park maintenance and has assigned park rangers to root out loiterers.

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E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com