Businessman Giles Conrad is giving northeastern Boone County its river view in perpetuity.

        The county threw dirt in a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Ohio riverfront site of the new Giles Conrad Park last week.

        The park property donated to the county by Mr. Conrad, the former owner of River Shores Sports complex, is along River Road (Ky. 8) between North Bend and Tanner roads.

        “The 43-acre parcel benefits from 3,800 feet of frontage on the Ohio River,” said John Stanton, deputy administrator for Boone County.

        “The extensive river frontage and near lack of visual intrusions on the Ohio shoreline make the Conrad Park property a great location for a riverfront park,” he said.

        “There will be approximately two miles of paved pedestrian/bike trails around the entire property,” said Mr. Stanton.

        “The trails will include several river observation points.

        “The park will also include some large fields for varied uses ranging from picnics to football and/or soccer games.”

        A playground will also be on the property.

        “Construction will probably begin in a month,” said Jim Frank, project manager with Woolpert LLP.

        The project, estimated to cost nearly $500,000, is expected to be finished within a year.

        “We're hoping to actually have most of it done by the spring of next year,” Mr. Stanton said.

        Mr. Frank said the property is about 30 percent wooded and 70 percent open field.

        “We're not going to disturb the woods,” he said.

        “We're going to clear a walking path through the woods. We're not going to take out any large trees, just underbrush.”

        Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore said this is the type of park residents want and need.

        “The setting is just beautiful,” he said.

        “It's so peaceful. While we were down there this morning, we'd see a small boat or barge go by. The birds were singing,” said Mr. Moore.

        “To be able to sit and look at the river is peaceful and relaxing.”

        “With the growth of our county and the demands we're seeing on our infrastructure, it's great to be able to have private-public partnerships,” said Mr. Moore.

        “It allows us to stretch county dollars further when we have these types of partnerships.”

        The land borders River Shores Sports. Mr. Conrad wasn't using the 43-acre parcel donated to the county.

        “He feels like he's been very blessed throughout his life,” said Jeanni Reusch, manager of the Boone County Golf Course and a friend and spokeswoman for Mr. Conrad.

        “Boone County has been very good to him.

        “He wanted to give something back, to leave something to be remembered by.”
        The Cincinnati Enquirer / PATRICK REDDY

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