Pichlers' gift will support water features at Smale

The most recent in a string of gifts to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation will support the construction of new fountains and water features at Smale Riverfront Park.

The Cincinnati Park Board announced on Tuesday the donation from Joe and Susan Pichler. The amount of the gift was not disclosed.

"The overwhelming generosity expressed by Susan and Joe through this extraordinary gift speaks to their love for this community and their desire to demonstrate their deep appreciation for the magnanimous gift made by the John G. and Phyllis W. Smale family to bring our region's new front door to life," said Director of Cincinnati Parks Willie Carden, Jr. in a prepared release. "The Pichlers, along with others who have made transformative private gifts to the park, are leading the way into a spectacular new era for our entire region."

Joe Pichler is the former chairman and CEO of the Kroger Company. He and his wife Susan have long been involved in the civic life of Cincinnati.

"Susan and I feel fortunate to live in this wonderful city," he said. "Cincinnati has been very good to us and this gift is an expression of our appreciation."

The features will be part of the new Vine Street Plaza, which will be built as the park extends west of the Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Within the plaza will be a reflecting pool with water jets that can be programmed for different water and light effects, shaded seating areas, and a surrounding glass walkway and balconies with water curtains that will stream down to pools along Mehring Way.

An additional water feature will be a series of cascades that will line a grand stairway connecting the plaza to the rest of the park along the river, south of Mehring Way.

When completed, the plaza will be three times larger than the Walnut Street Plaza and Fountain and will double as a tented and programmed space for special events.

Images provided

Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati riverfront continues to win awards (7/16/13)
New Cincinnati-Covington ped connector 'a big deal' (6/7/13)
Duke Energy Garden newest Smale feature (5/14/13)
Video: Smale Riverfront Park to more than double in size this May (3/18/13)
Cincinnati riverfront plan wins national award (1/11/13)