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nodes – gabriel’s place

avondale, cincinnati, ohio


the nodes at gabriel’s place involves working with our fantastic neighborhood partners — the avondale community council, avondale development corporation, and the avondale library — to co-design a green space that incorporates neighborhood-driven knowledge to highlight the health benefits of green spaces.

our main goals are:

  • to define what a green space means in the neighborhood’s own terms
  • to identify the neighborhood’s perceived benefits of green spaces related to health and well-being
  • to define guidelines for sharing knowledge of the local ecology through and engaging green space

throughout the process, we’ll ask for feedback through co-design workshops and public questionnaires. after installation, we’ll also check how the space is being used.

project partner: know your nature

the nodes team is collaborating with “know your nature” on the gabriel’s place project. “know your nature” is bringing an exciting, hands-on project to avondale to show how green spaces like parks and tree-filled areas help clean our air, keep our neighborhoods healthier, and support plants, animals and our neighborhood.

the initiative explores:

  • how urban greenspaces improve air quality
  • the wildlife and plants living around us
  • how to protect and care for our green spaces

process


engagements


postcard workshop 2 06.11.26        register
postcard workshop 106.09.26        register
avondale juneteenth festival 06.19.25        more info

back to school carnival 08.01.25        more info
avondale empowerment day  06.19.25        more info

>> visit the study information page for more details on participating in an engagement

design/build


target start for the design build is fall 2026

results


target completion date of nodes gabriel’s place is spring 2027

press


2025 UC Coalition for Change (C3) Grantees5.30.25        more info


team


Anca Matyiku, Co-Lead, University of Cincinnati, School of Architecture and Interior Design
D.J. Trischler, Co-Lead, University of Cincinnati, School of Design
Jennifer Foster, Neighborhood Partner, Know Your Nature, Nodes Facilitator
Crystal Russel, Neighborhood Partner, Know Your Nature, The Faith Community Alliance, Nodes Facilitator
Diana Hodge, Neighborhood Partner, Nodes Facilitator
Mona Jenkins, Neighborhood Partner, Nodes Facilitator
Aisha Tzillah, Neighborhood Partner, Avondale Development Corporation, Nodes Facilitator
Sandra Jones, Neighborhood Partner, Avondale Community Council, Nodes Facilitator 
Yingying Xie, Research Lead, Know Your Nature, Northern Kentucky University, Nodes Facilitator
Kristy Hopfensperger, Research Partner, Know Your Nature, Northern Kentucky University, Nodes Facilitator
Rhonda Davis, Research Partner, Northern Kentucky University, Nodes Facilitator
Vicky Carr, Research Collaborator, University of Cincinnati, 
Chloe Pampus, University of Cincinnati, Graduate Student, Nodes Facilitator
Ciara Potter, University of Cincinnati, Graduate Student
Sam Yageneh, University of Cincinnati, Graduate Student