Ryan Geismar is an Associate Principal and Professional Landscape Architect at Human Nature. He excels at visual communication and creative process during project design, bringing to the table a curiosity (and knack) for how things go together and a deep love of urban ecosystems, where cultural, social, natural, and historical influences intersect in the built environment. He believes it is in these environments that we have the responsibility to discover and celebrate the spirit of place – in a way that acknowledges the unfolding story of the people and place that exist there. As lead park designer, Ryan collaborated with community members, stakeholders, and a multi-disciplinary design team to develop the Ziegler Park master plan. The 4.5-acre urban park unifies three park parcels, separated by the street grid, into One Park Plan that offers something for everyone – active and passive recreation, pool, parking, court sports, spray, and playgrounds – in a unique and diverse historic neighborhood. Ryan engaged the community through four design workshops and a children’s playground workshop to gather valuable input used to inform park amenities, programming, and aesthetic preferences. The initial park improvements were followed by the 2023 park expansion along Woodward Avenue to Main Street. The park expansion added vibrant elements of local art to the community space in addition to economic development opportunities for vacant storefronts within the corridor.

Annie Ruth is an internationally respected artist/arts educator. Her work positively influences audiences in Europe, Africa, and throughout the United States. Ruth’s curriculum sets are used in educational and cultural institutions around the world. Annie Ruth earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from National University in San Diego, California and studied graphic design at the University of Cincinnati, College of Design Architecture and Art. She is a trailblazer who has received critical acclaim and recognition for her work in the community. She collaborates with major cultural institutions and museums to bring art directly to underserved communities. She is one of 17 founding artists of Black Art Speaks and serves on the advisory board of the organization.

Gladys Pope is a lifelong Cincinnati resident and attended the University of Cincinnati. She served as the President of the Mt. Airy Community Council from 2017-2021 and was an integral part of the Mt. Airy Quality of Life initiative, headed up by the City’s Law Department. She is a certified facilitator of the Chicago Parent Program and has overseen 4 cohorts of the 12-week parenting program in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is currently the Program Coordinator at 3CDC, and oversees the community programming in their civic spaces, with special focus on Ziegler Park and Imagination Alley. She also serves on the advisory board of Cradle Cincinnati, an organization committed to reducing infant mortality in Greater Cincinnati. Gladys is the proud mother of 2 --an 18 year old son and a 22 year old daughter and lives in Northside.