By Lisa A. Bernard
Reprinted
with permission of the Journal-News
Whether it’s seeing the
city skyline light up night or watching the quiet waters of the Great Miami
River ripple in the wind, longtime Hamilton residents say their hometown has
hundreds of fantastic views from which to choose.
Dubbed the city of sculpture,
Hamilton is home to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, several historic districts and
nearly 60 other park land areas.
Those locations, combined
with views from the banks of the Great Miami, leave many in the city
hard-pressed to find their own perfect-postcard setting.
“Some of my favorite views
are standing on the riverbank on the west side across from the Fitton Center at
night,” said Hamilton resident Nancy Wiley. “The lights on the monument and the
Fitton Center are all lit and they reflect in the water. It’s really lovely. I
have some great photos of it.”
Others enjoy the
ever-changing scenes in town — views that take on new shapes and looks with
each new season.
Ted Finan, who oversees the
Hamilton Riverside Natural Area — just off of Neilan Boulevard, said one of his
favorite views is from the observation mound that was added to the preserve
last year.
The park shares its borders
with Joyce Park to the south and the Great Miami River and bike path to the
west. It’s complete with walking paths and several observation points to view
wildlife, natural prairies and a vast array of wild flowers.
“Sometimes it’s hard to
believe that all of this is just minutes away from downtown,” he said. “Each
season has its own unique quality that adds to the beauty of this place. To
really appreciate what this area has to offer you’ve got to see the snow on the
ground, or be here when the trees are turning. You can see it go through the
transformations, and it just stays beautiful all year round.”
Vickie Ryan, a speech
pathologist and wife of Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan, said one of her favorite views
can be seen coming into town on Ohio 4 where the road bends near Headgates
Road.
“Seeing the buildings
downtown, and all the green trees, and the water tower on the hill, gives you
an idea how big and diverse the city is,” she said.
Ryan said she also likes
the drive from Ross on Hamilton-Cleves Road.
“If a storm is building,
that sky is a beautiful place to see the color and depth of the clouds,” she
said. “You know how the sun shines through clouds like search lights pointing
down? Twice I’ve been on that road and the purple and pinks and those sun rays
are beautiful — makes you think you (could) walk up the sun rays right into
heaven.”
Hamilton Vice Mayor Pat
Moeller said one of his preferred spots to take a break and enjoy the view is
from atop Eaton Road hill.
“Especially after a bad
round of golf at Twin Run Golf Course,” he joked.
Moeller said he also likes
to take in the scenery while “driving along Hamilton-Cleves Road from Columbia
Bowling Lanes to the Columbia Bridge and seeing church steeples, Great Miami
River, trees, Butler County Courthouse, and the county and city government
buildings.”
For others, certain views
have a nostalgic flavor, that are nice to revisit.
Mike Perry, director of
Hamilton’s Electric Department, came to Hamilton about nine years ago. While he
and his family searched for a home in the city, they stayed at a local bed and
breakfast situated at the top of Eaton Road hill.
Like Moeller, Perry said
the view from the hill can’t be beat.
“I will never forget that
October morning when I left ... for my first day of work. It was very dark out
and when I crested the hill in my car — I can just remember that the view
astounded me,” he said. “The city was so beautiful with all those wonderful
streetlights twinkling. I still drive up there at night or in the morning to
see that view.”