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Cincinnati Parks is beginning a five-year forest restoration project at French Park backed by a $1.8 million anonymous donation. The effort will target 228 acres of forest, removing invasive plants and restoring native trees and shrubs. The project also includes trail improvements and funding for a Natural Resource Specialist for five years. Cincinnati Parks hopes the restoration can provide a model for similar work across the city’s park system.
Cincinnati Parks is launching a major forest restoration project at French Park backed by a $1.8 million anonymous donation.
The five-year effort is being described as the city’s largest forest renewal initiative since the creation and reforestation of Mount Airy Forest in the 1930s.
Cincinnati forest restoration targets 228 acres
The forest restoration project will focus on French Park in Amberley Village, which covers 282 acres and includes 228 acres of forest. The park also features creeks, meadows, hiking trails and the historic French House.
Cincinnati Parks plans to remove invasive plants that have crowded out native vegetation. The targeted species include honeysuckle, privet and burning bush.
Officials say invasive plants can reduce biodiversity and prevent native forests from naturally regenerating. Removing them will allow native trees and shrubs to return to areas currently dominated by invasive vegetation.
$1.8 million donation funds five-year project
The anonymous $1.8 million gift is the largest conservation-focused donation in Cincinnati Parks Foundation history. The funding will support a five-year initiative that includes invasive-species removal, native plant restoration, trail work and continued forest management.
The project includes a three-year program to remove invasive species throughout the park’s forested area. Cincinnati Parks staff and community volunteers will then help plant native trees and shrubs and maintain the restored areas.
The donation will also fund a dedicated Natural Resource Specialist for five years. That position will oversee the restoration and help Cincinnati Parks develop long-term forest management practices.
Work has already started at French Park
The restoration is not starting from scratch. Cincinnati Parks began clearing a 22-acre section of French Park earlier in 2026 with initial support from the anonymous donor. Volunteers with Friends of French Park have also worked with Cincinnati Parks on invasive plant removal and trail clearance.
The work will eventually extend across the park’s entire 228 acres of forest.
Residents may see changes in the wooded areas as crews remove invasive vegetation. The long-term goal is to create healthier forest habitat while maintaining the park’s recreational uses.
“This extraordinary gift is a powerful example of what philanthropy can make possible in our parks. It allows us to care for French Park on a scale that will transform this natural space for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to this donor for sharing our vision that investing in conservation today creates a lasting legacy for our community,” Cincinnati Parks Foundation President & CEO Jennifer Hafner Spieser said.
Project could become model for other Cincinnati parks
Cincinnati Parks plans to use French Park as a testing ground for forest management techniques that could be applied elsewhere in the city’s park system. The Parks Foundation said the project has the potential to become a model for urban forest restoration in Cincinnati and beyond.
The project also coincides with the launch of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation’s Conservation Fund. The foundation is seeking an additional $2 million over five years to expand invasive-species management, native habitat restoration, woodland stewardship and conservation education across Cincinnati Parks.
For visitors, French Park will remain a destination for hiking, picnicking and enjoying its natural areas. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has about five miles of hiking trails.
Why Cincinnati is removing invasive plants
Invasive plants can spread aggressively through forests and compete with native vegetation for sunlight, water and nutrients. Over time, dense invasive growth can limit the ability of native plants and trees to regenerate.
Cincinnati Parks says restoring native vegetation at French Park will support birds, pollinators and other wildlife while improving the health of the forest ecosystem.
FAQs
Why is Cincinnati calling this the largest reforestation effort in nearly 100 years?
Cincinnati Parks says the project is its largest forest renewal effort since Mount Airy Forest was created and reforested in the 1930s. The comparison refers to the scale of Cincinnati Parks’ forest restoration work.
Could other Cincinnati parks receive similar restoration work?
Yes. Cincinnati Parks plans to use French Park as a model for developing forest-management practices that could be expanded to other city parks.
How will the project benefit wildlife?
Restoring native vegetation can provide food, shelter and habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. A healthier mix of native plants can also improve biodiversity within the park.
Who is paying for the French Park restoration?
An anonymous donor provided $1.8 million through the Cincinnati Parks Foundation. The funding will support the five-year restoration initiative and a Natural Resource Specialist position.
