Smale Riverfront Park Clean Up with Certified Cultivators

UpLift staff from Milford, Mt. Orab, and our leadership team gathered in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, June 14th, for a community clean-up at Smale Riverfront Park. Over the course of the afternoon, we worked together to help restore one of the city’s most iconic green spaces, located just steps from the Ohio River and right in the heart of the city.

This initiative was part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we’re part of. Smale Park is not only a major landmark in Cincinnati, but it’s also a space enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Its riverside paths, play areas, and scenic views make it one of the city’s most trafficked public parks. With that kind of popularity comes the need for regular maintenance, and we were proud to step in and help.

A Collaborative Effort with Certified Cultivators

For this clean-up, we partnered with Certified Cultivators, who joined us on-site to support the effort. Their team brought the same energy and care we value at UpLift, and together we set out to make a visible difference across several areas of the park and the surrounding riverfront. The partnership allowed us to cover more ground and make a stronger impact in just a few hours.

The clean-up took place from late morning into the afternoon. With gloves, bags, and a shared purpose, both teams worked to collect trash and remove debris that had accumulated over time. While Smale Park is regularly maintained by the city, volunteer-led efforts like this can help fill in the gaps and tackle less accessible areas along the riverbank and pathways.

Thank You to Everyone Involved

We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the event. Whether you were hauling bags, organizing supplies, or simply showing up ready to help, your time made a difference. A special thanks also goes out to Certified Cultivators for partnering with us and bringing such a strong presence to the day.

The clean-up was a reminder that even a few hours of focused effort can go a long way. Community work doesn’t always require a big platform. Sometimes it just means showing up, taking responsibility for shared spaces, and leaving things better than you found them.

Stay tuned for more Kindness Project updates as we continue looking for ways to contribute throughout the region.

Images by Jess René Photos