Tours
This year, we have three tours being offered as part of the conference.
Tour 1- Lick Run and Other Best Management Practices in Cincinnati
Date: May 8, 2019 Time: 1-4 PM Cost: $30 Max number: 24
Buses leave from: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati OH
Destination: Various green infrastructure sites around Cincinnati, including the Lick Run Project
Tour leader: Deb Leonard, MSDGC, Kelly Kuhbander, Strand Associates
Bring: comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water.
Cincinnati is gaining a national reputation in the sustainable management of stormwater to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs). MSD is current designing and/or implementing sustainable stormwater solutions that range from rain gardens and pervious pavement to stormwater detention basins and stream restoration (daylighting). As part of this initiative, MSD has partnered with a variety of public and private organizations across Hamilton County to demonstrate the use and effectiveness of Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater controls (that capture less than 10 million gallons annually). The Green Bus Tour highlights the CSO challenge facing Cincinnati and a selection of LID sustainable infrastructure projects at our partner sites.
A highlight of this tour will be the Lick Run project, the largest stormwater control project in the United States. The Lick Run watershed covers about 2,900 acres on Cincinnati’s west side and includes the neighborhood of South Fairmount and portions of East Price Hill, West Price Hill and Westwood. Every year, about half a billion gallons of sewage – mixed with stormwater – overflow from this watershed through Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) 5 outfall into the Mill Creek. CSO 5 is the largest volume overflow in MSD’s service area. The Lick Run Project – part of the Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy- will eliminate nearly 400 million gallons of CSOs annually and ensure that 88% of the flows during a typical year of rain will either reach the Mill Creek treatment plant or be discharged as stormwater to the Mill Creek. The focus of this project is to keep stormwater out of the combined sewer system through a variety of gray and green infrastructure projects across the watershed including new storm sewers, bioswales, stream restoration, stormwater detention basins, bioinfiltration gardens and the creation of a mile-long constructed waterway that will mimic a natural stream. The project will also improve water quality, create new jobs, and provide opportunities for neighborhood revitalization.
Tour 2 – Canoe Tour of Cincinnati
Date: May 8, 2019 Time: 12:30 PM- 4 PM Cost: $30 Max number: 20
Buses leave from: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati OH
Destination: Sharonville boat launch
Tour leader: Bruce Koehler, Mill Creek Yacht Club
Bring: comfortable shoes, sunscreen, snacks, water.
Take a canoe tour of Cincinnati! Enjoy a guided tour of the utterly fascinating and perfectly weird Mill Creek. Paddle down Mill Creek with the river with knowledgeable tour guides from The Mill Creek Yacht Club and get to know the City in a whole new way. We will see completed restoration projects as well as the location of future restoration projects. You will carpool to the takeout location (TBD) and then be shuttled to the put-in location. At the end of the tour, you will receive a Mill Creek T-shirt (please specify your shirt size prior to arriving). Bring snacks and water.
Tour 3 – Bernstein’s Batch Bourbon Dinner Cruise
Date: May 8, 2019 Boarding Time: 6:00pm Sail Time: 7:00 – 9:30 pm Cost: $60
Buses leave from: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati OH
Take in the skyline, watch the river go by, and enjoy a fantastic meal aboard one of Captain’s Dinner cruises. Two and a half hour cruise along the mighty Ohio River with views of Cincinnati, Ohio including Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium. See the city murals along the banks of the smaller river city, Covington, KY. Make sure to check out the paddle wheel propelling the riverboat from the Aft of the boat. You can view this from the observation deck.
Menu includes: Tossed salad with cucumbers & tomatoes (on salad) & accoutrements with ranch & balsamic vinaigrette dressings, dinner rolls and butter, roast beef striploin with auju and creamy horseradish, Bourbon glazed chicken breast, baked stuffed sole, Roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, roasted potatoes, marinated corn salad, and pecan pie and bourbon carmel topped cheesecake. Included will be a tasting of four select bourbons.