Piatt Park

This park is a pocket strip park located in downtown Cincinnati. This thin park spans two blocks. It is primarily a place to sit and take a load off, with tons of shaded seating. It has been around since 1817 and is the city's oldest park. It has a statue of President James A. Garfield on one end, and a statue of President William Henry Harrison on the other, both of whom were from Ohio. There is a paved walkway that runs down the park and there are benches on the perimeter of the walkway facing each other. You will find decorative arches placed along the path and some decent fountains.The park is named after brothers John and Benjamin Pratt after they donated the acre of land to the city under condition it be used "for a market space." That land is now Piatt Park.The park has free wifi and is the site of special events. They were having a food give away while I was there. They also host a weekly acoustic lunch series in the summer. There is metered street parking and commercial lots within reasonable walking distance.Sadly the park is over run by the city's homeless and is beginning to look trashed and run down. The park does not have any water fountains, rest room facilities or much green space. It is basically a place to sit or maybe run through. I do like the park's historical aspect, but that can only take it so far.If you are looking for a park to hang out, I would probably pass them up. It has right intentions, but misses the mark.Fun Facts: The statue of President William Henry Harrison is the city's only equestrian statue and both presidents served the two shortest terms in office as president: Harrison served 31 days and Garfield 199 days.

A nice small park in the middle of downtown. It's not much. Really it's like a median in 8th Street. Benches are here to sit at. This is located close to other things. It's not really a park to come run around. It's better for taking pictures or sitting. There's not a playground area for kids, because there isn't room for that kind of thing. It's located right in the middle of 8th Street, like a median. This goes between Elm and Vine. It has a statue of President Garfield. He was from Ohio. This is also pretty close to Fountain Square.

This is a small park in the middle of downtown, that is great for pictures. The arches with the trees look absolutely stunning if you get them going down the length of the park, and the seasons really show up great here with the trees...Come in the Fall for extra bright yellow trees. -1 Star because there's not a whole lot of green space and cars drive pretty fast around this park, so I wouldn't come here with my dog or with kids and let them run around.Close to the Library and good for reading a book or eating lunch on one of the many benches.

Fun fact: Piatt was Cincinnati's FIRST park! And it makes sense as it is down in the basin. This park is probably home to the most proposals as the arches and leaves changing throughout the season are picturesque. I can count at least five friends who have had their wedding photos taken here. My favorite is between fall and winter. Fall is full with yellow leaves on top of the arch and on the bottom below filling any frame full in composition. In the winter the ground is dusted and the tree branches almost turn below against the azure of the sky. It is really a sight to see. I will say, a lot of homeless people hang out here and it is very sad. I smile and say hello from one human to another. Don't be alarmed as they are harmless and simply enjoying the park benches here. More fun facts below: Monument: Piatt was Cincinnati's first park (see Parks History), and this bronze sculpture honors an early Cincinnati hero: William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), ninth U.S. president and Ohio's first. Harrison achieved fame in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811 and as a War of 1812 military commander. Following his marriage to the daughter of John Cleves Symmes, he settled just west of Cincinnati in North Bend. Harrison was elected U.S. president in 1840; a few days after delivering the longest inaugural address in history (an hour and 45 minutes), he died of pneumonia. Created by Art academy instructor Louis T. Rebisso (1837-1899) and his student Clement Barnhorn, this sculpture is Cincinnati's only equestrian statue.Fountains: Flanking Race Street in Piatt Park are two circular reflecting pools with granite slabs that mirror the surrounding urban landscape. Beneath a curtain of water that flows over the granite surfaces are carved symbols for water, air and land. Cincinnati artist Stuart Fink's fountain was dedicated in 1989 in memory of local delicatessen owner Isadore "Izzy" Kadetz, who died in 1983.James Abrams Garfield Monument: At Piatt's east end is this 1885 bronze-cast monument to the 20th U.S. president, one of six born in Ohio, who was assassinated in 1881. It's the creation of

Piatt Park is a gem of nature in the middle of downtown Cincinnati. This tree lined park runs several blocks down the middle of Garfield Place. There are numerous benches to sit on surrounded by wonderful flowers. The trees are strung with tiny lights that bring a magical quality to the place. I do not work downtown but if I did I would bring my lunch here just to chill out. It is also a great place to cool off in the shade on a hot day. I like the statue of President Garfield on the corner. Piatt Park reminds me of New York City which is a place I love to visit. Wedding parties have taken advantage of this peaceful and beautiful place on many occasions. Next time you are downtown stop and take a moment to enjoy this relaxing visit with nature. Until next time we meet be kind to one another!

This is easily one of my favorite, underrated places in all of Cincinnati. There are very few places I would rather be on a mild, sunny day than here with a good book.When it cooled down this fall, you could find me here every day on my lunch break reading. The trees lining each side of the path that stretches for several blocks creates a cool and serene atmosphere that you would expect in a a european city, not a Midwestern US one. They also have music some days (Tuesdays?), which adds even more to the relaxing atmosphere.As for lunch options, Cafe de Paris and a BBQ joint are right by Vine off the park and there are other options as you head west on the path.The only downside, which others have mentioned, is that some of the homeless who visit do not behave themselves properly. I've seen a handful of people be cited or arrested for being a public nuisdance or having an open alcoholic container.Sadly, it will soon be getting too cool for lunches in the park and the leaf canopy has already been shed by the trees for the changing of the season. Get there before it's too cold!

Calling this park a pocket park wouldn't properly do it justice....its more like a small tree-lined strasse that you might find in a European city. I walk through here almost everyday. It's really quite beautiful - especially in the fall when the leaves are changing.The city's park board does an excellent job of keeping the park clean and well maintained. In fact, I think there's a staffer assigned just to this park....you can see him working throughout the day. There is a secret toolshed under the fountain near Race Street where I see the guy going in and out.. One of these times I'll see if I can go down in there and see what's up......I wonder if there's a little fridge and a tv down there?This park is very popular. There are people sitting here, eating lunch, talking, working, hanging out and walking throughout the day. If I had to guess, I'd say that some people use it as a little afternoon getaway to collect their thoughts....which is what I do sometimes. There is free wifi in some parts of the park and I have never had a problem with cellphone reception. There are at least two restaurants along the park - Cafe de Paris and Sunshine Foods. Both have outdoor seating but the Paris cafe provides more of an inside the park feeling. During "Acoustic Tuesdays" in the summer, it's great to grab lunch at one of these places and enjoy the lunchtime music. But come early as park space fills up quickly. One of the drawbacks are the pigeons that perch on the light poles that crisscross the park. Use caution when walking under them. Believe it or not, they used to be a lot worse. A few years ago the guano was so bad that the park would stink until the park guy cleaned (powerwashed) the sidewalk. I'm telling you, it was really bad......It stunk so bad that I would avoid the unclean areas by crossing the street.The other issue with the park are the homeless who tend to start flocking here in the afternoon / early evening and take over the park at night. They not only give off an unfriendly feeling & unsafe vibe to passersby, but they often trash the place and sleep in the flower beds. I know they have just as much of a right to be there as me, but do they really need to sleep on the benches all day long? They do, however, tend to flock in the Western end of the park during the day (if they're there at all).

Piatt Park is a great example of an urban pocket park (if you have very long and narrow pockets).Before my office moved, I dragged my reheated pasta out here for lunch any day it was nice enough and some that weren't. It doesn't have the bustle of Fountain Square most of the time, but is healthily occupied during day and into the evening. LPK sponsors 'Acoustic Lunch' during the warmer months which provokes a happy lunch time crowd at its east end. But this place isn't really about the programming.This place is about the celebration of rest in the city.Marked on either of it's two block length with bronze statues that could hold a ship in place, it's arching trees and lighted arches provide the perfect respite for your feet and mind. Marble barriers planted with annuals further shield you from the already tame parallel streets, and there is a general recognition in material choice that this should be a 'quality place'. The design is pretty tame though, civic and humble except for the aforementioned 'anchors' and two sub-par fountains that clearly celebrate the 80's.I might have given it a 4.5 Star rating if it were available, but it's not, so I'm content to celebrate this quiet park as it is.

Easily one of the most gorgeous, simple spots in Cincinnati, Piatt Park is the Queen City's own little stretch of Central Park. Lined with greenery and benches, this park also has electrical outlets placed below the seating making it a great outdoor spot to get some work done.A statue of President Garfield greets you at the east end of this two-block park. As it is intersected by Race Street, two serene granite fountains hug the corners. The street through Piatt Park is made of stone pavers, maintaining that simplistic, old timey feel.My favorite time to visit Piatt Park is right before sunset, given the park has a lovely view of the western sky. As the sun lowers to the horizon, the archways down the middle of the park light up with twinkle lights. Romantic. Majestic. It creates an all around elegant feeling and reminds me of strolling through New York City.

Great for photoshoots, but everytime I've came here, felt uncomfortable to sit and relax, due to homeless bugging me for money.