Cincinnati Children’s Unveils Reimagined Green Space at College Hill to Support Youth Mental Health

Friday, October 03, 2025

Cincinnati Children's, the nation's largest provider of pediatric inpatient psychiatric care, is leading the way in patient care once again. A newly redesigned green space at the College Hill campus now offers patients a vibrant outdoor environment dedicated to supporting youth receiving inpatient and residential mental health treatment.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval joined hospital leaders, donors, and community members to celebrate the opening. Their participation underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing youth mental health care.

This thoughtfully designed green space features:

• An enhanced playground
• Horticulture area
• Splash pad
• Labyrinth
• Sports field and court

The new space was created to foster movement, mindfulness and emotional well-being, all key components of behavioral health care.

"Every detail was designed with the kids in mind-from the splash pad to the labyrinth," said Laurel Leslie, MD, MPH, Director of Cincinnati Children's Mental and Behavioral Health Institute "It's not just a place to play-it's a place to heal, grow, and feel joy. This project is something that will make a real difference in their lives."

The project was made possible through a combination of private donations and public funding, including $6,575,342 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, administered through OhioMHAS. These funds supported construction, materials and labor.