OVER-THE-RHINE, CINCINNATI – For years, the corner of Liberty Street and Sycamore in Over-the-Rhine was just another forgotten patch of urban decay – an overgrown, trash-strewn lot that most people hurried past. Today, if you walk by, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant splash of green and bursts of color: cheerful marigolds, robust tomato plants heavy with ripening fruit, and fragrant herbs swaying gently in the breeze. This remarkable transformation is the handiwork of a dedicated group of teenagers from the OTR Community Enrichment Center, proving that even the most overlooked spaces can become sources of joy and sustenance.
Leading this green revolution is none other than “Green Thumb” Thompson, a retired landscaper and a true OTR fixture whose own backyard garden is legendary. Mr. Thompson, with his weathered straw hat and encyclopedic knowledge of all things botanical, decided that this summer, instead of just tending his own plot, he’d cultivate a new generation of growers.
“These kids, they’re smart, they’re eager, and they just needed a little soil and a lot of encouragement,” Thompson shared, wiping dirt from his brow with a knowing grin. “When we started, it was all weeds. Now, look at it! Every tomato, every basil leaf, that’s their hard work.”
Throughout the scorching Cincinnati summer, a dozen teenagers, ranging in age from 14 to 17, swapped screen time for sunshine and learned the art of urban farming. They tilled the soil, built raised garden beds from reclaimed lumber, planted seeds, and faithfully watered their burgeoning crop. It wasn’t always glamorous – there was plenty of weeding, pest control, and early morning watering sessions – but the students embraced the challenge.
“I didn’t even know how to hold a trowel a few months ago,” confessed Maria Rodriguez, a 16-year-old from the West End, carefully harvesting a basket of bright red tomatoes. “Now, I can tell you the difference between a good weed and a seedling! It’s actually… really cool to watch something grow that you helped.”
But the impact of this project extends far beyond the edges of the garden beds. The most heartwarming aspect is where the harvest ends up. Every week, the students meticulously pick, wash, and package their bounty. Then, with the guidance of the Community Enrichment Center staff, they hand-deliver the fresh produce to the residents of the Elizabeth Seton Senior Living Apartments just a few blocks away.
“It’s like getting a hug with your groceries,” said Mrs. Clara Jenkins, a grateful resident, as Maria handed her a bag brimming with zucchini and bell peppers. “Fresh vegetables make such a difference, and seeing these young people bring them, knowing they grew them… it just warms your heart. It reminds you that we’re all connected.”
The OTR Community Garden stands as a vibrant testament to what can happen when a little kindness is planted in fertile ground. It’s a living example of intergenerational connection, community revitalization, and the simple truth that when we cultivate good things, the entire city gets to watch them grow.
By Sarah L. Jenkins, Cincinnati Good News Staff Writer
Cincinnati Good News 
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