Legacy Gallery

In honor of Leonard H. Berenfield who found peace walking the trails at Glenwood Gardens, frequently accompanied by his four legged companion, “Honey-Su.” There are so many of us who wish we could walk these paths with him and the person he was to each of us: Leonard, Len, Dad and Grumpy. However, we gain solace to think how pleased he would be to be remembered in a park he enjoyed so much.

1949–2021

Ann Biermann had very few requests, but one thing she knew she wanted was a bench placed in her memory at Fernbank Park. She loved walking along the river with her friends, family and beloved goldendoodle, Molly. We now have some place to sit and remember the kind, generous, loving friend, mother and grandmother that will be so missed by so many.

Ann was born and raised in Cincinnati and attended Colerain High School and Eastern Kentucky University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work. She retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where she made many friends over her 30-year career. Ann loved traveling, cooking, reading and baking cookies for everyone. She was the best mom, friend and grandmother that anyone could ever hope for.

1926–2020

Paul W. Christensen Jr. served as a Park Commissioner from 1980–1993. During his tenure, Great Parks saw a period of significant expansion.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Great Parks opened several parks and facilities, including Triple Creek, Embshoff Woods & Nature Preserve, Withrow Nature Preserve, Seasongood Nature Center, Francis RecreAcres, Parky’s Playbarn and Meadow Links & Golf Academy.

The park district established the first Reforestation, Landscaping and Memorial Tree Fund in 1984 for those who wanted to donate in memory of loved ones. The program has evolved over the decades and is now the Legacy Program.

Mr. Christensen was instrumental in the successful passage of the 1988 park district levy, which provided funding for new facilities, innovative programming and parkland preservation. One new form of innovative programming was launched in 1990, the In-Reach Program. Through this program, children and adults living in urban areas enjoy a day in nature at different parks.

The Paul W. Christensen Adventure Station indoor playground at Sharon Centre is named in honor of Mr. Christensen.

1936–2020

Dr. Nancy Russell Hamant served as a Park Commissioner from 1996–2010. Dr. Hamant was the first woman appointed to the Board of Park Commissioners.

Great Parks experienced tremendous growth during Dr. Hamant’s time as Park Commissioner. Several new parks opened, including Glenwood Gardens, Campbell Lakes Preserve, Avoca Trailhead and the leasing of Fernbank Park and Otto Armleder Memorial Park through the City of Cincinnati.

Numerous facilities and recreational opportunities also opened during this time. Among them include Miami Whitewater Forest soccer complex, Winton Harbor renovation, Sharon Centre, Highfield Discovery Garden and the Mountain Bike Trail at Mitchell Memorial Forest.

Throughout her service, Dr. Hamant was instrumental in the acquisition and preservation of over 3,410 acres of parkland. She played a vital role in the successful passage of the 2002 park district levy and served alongside staff in the 2007 Voice of the Customer survey program.

Great Parks honored Dr. Hamant in 2011 with the Conservation Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the Park District. Her leadership helped improve the health of local waterways, enhanced native habitats and made lasting contributions to the conservation of natural resources.

1944–2020

Diana loved Great Parks of Hamilton County.

She volunteered as a Walk Club host at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve two days per week for 16 years. As a Winter Hikes volunteer, she enjoyed these hikes tremendously (especially the cookies). Diana was so proud to receive her 15 year award.

The trails at Miami Whitewater Forest were her favorite. Diana also enjoyed playing golf there with her longtime friends. She loved the springtime daffodils at Glenwood Gardens and the wildflowers at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve.

Diana was loved by her husband Ron, daughters Laura, Debbie, Sandy, grandchildren, family and friends.

1927–2020

Betty was a big fan of Great Parks of Hamilton County. She took her young grandchildren to the many playgrounds. Betty enjoyed walking the trails well into her 80s, especially around the lake at Sharon Woods. She enjoyed jamming with her friends in the Cincinnati Dulcimer Society at Sharon Centre and at many events around town.

Betty graduated from CCM in 1952 with a Master of Music and played piano with local and national bands during the late 1940s and early 1950s. After starting a family, she taught piano to a multitude of young and old students. Later in life, Betty volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

Betty was beloved by her husband Charlie, her children Charlie, Mark, Nina, Dino and Vince, and her grandchildren.

Legacy Tree
Park: Withrow Nature Preserve
Tree species: Pond Cypress (Taxodium Ascendens)

1929–2021

Marilyn Spreen was a wonderful wife, mother and teacher. Beyond her four children and three grandchildren, she touched the lives of hundreds of kindergarteners during a 25-year teaching career. Marilyn was born in Cincinnati in January 1929, and was a graduate of Hughes High School and the University of Cincinnati. In November 1950, she married William Spreen.

She was a lifelong lover of nature, enjoying family camping trips to U.S. National Parks as well as parks closer to home. She especially enjoyed Winton Woods and, in recent decades, walking the trails at Glenwood Gardens. She frequented those trails many times a week, sometimes with family and their dogs, always greeting others, taking in nature and getting her daily steps in. With her memory in our hearts, Marilyn’s family and friends will continue to enjoy Glenwood Gardens.

Robert "Bob" Zingg was a kind, gentle man and loving husband and father. He loved his hometown of Cincinnati.

He was a proud graduate (class of 1939) and longtime supporter of Withrow High School. Bob retired from Cincinnati Milicron and was a member of the Withrow 'Old Timers Club.' He was a true sports enthusiast and participant, playing in various semi-professional baseball leagues in his youth. Bob was a huge fan of the Reds and Bengals.

Bob would be proud to know that he is now a part of the legacy of Withrow Nature Preserve.

R. Michael Reinstatler loved nature and frequently travelled east and west to visit our nation's most precious treasures, the national parks. He basked in the incredible beauty of Acadia to Yosemite and everything in between. Mike's family and friends believe planting a tree on the path on which he rode his bike almost every day is the best way to commemorate his life and adoration for the natural world.

1951-2022

Joanne enjoyed Miami Whitewater Park for over 30 years.  Her family gathered there for many picnics and activities.  After her children grew up she continued to frequent the park several times a week to walk, ride her bike, or kayak.  When her grandchildren arrived, she loved to take them to “Grandma’s park”, where they made many memories together.

Joanne was very active and loved being outdoors. She was a loving Mother and Grandmother.  Her children felt that honoring her with a bench at her favorite park was a wonderful way to celebrate her life.

Mike Sensel was a friend to all and stranger to very few. He loved spending his time hiking, fishing, camping, taking his grandkids to all of the playgrounds around Cincinnati, attending sporting events and concerts, and just being outdoors. Miami Whitewater was his favorite park and he spent a lot of time there with his family. 

With Mike’s passing, the world lost a great example of the fact that life does not have to be as complicated as we often make it. If you truly appreciate the days you’ve been given, foster the talents you’ve been given, and selflessly care for those around you, you will have lived well. Mike did all these things much more in actions than in words, and we can pay tribute to him by doing the same.

Claire Sullivan Bernish, in her brief 47 years (March 1, 1974-December 10, 2021), was like a nova, a brilliant flash, too quickly gone. She moved through life incessantly absorbing ideas and information and feeding back creativity through art, writing, photography, crafts and cooking. She thrilled to the beauty of creation and the joy of human connection, and she was always sensitive and responsive to the needs of all of God’s creatures.  Claire was an authentic being, willing to confront her depths, own her mistakes, learn and grow.  Her brother honors her with a hackberry tree as a remembrance of the two large ones they both loved, which sheltered their yard in Wyoming.  

Gary was a wonderful son, husband, father, and most importantly grandfather. He will be remembered as a builder of buildings and people, a tireless and vocationally courageous worker, and a lover of nature. He was a consummate mentor who always showed up when a need was observed.

His love of nature was demonstrated through his outdoor activities, preservation of land, and frequent planting of trees. Nature is where Gary found peace. May this tree represent his strength and his legacy, may birds use it for a home, and may the wee ones find joy in its branches while its shade is available to shelter those in need.