Established in 1788, the first ford, or safe crossing over the Little Miami, Milford was incorporated in 1836. Currently, Milford is a changing blend up upscale development and new construction, blended comfortably with quaint homes and subdivisions.  The Victorian “painted ladies” line the streets of Old Milford, reminding us that this area has a rich history.  To celebrate this heritage, the yearly Frontier Days Festival draws visitors from far and wide.

Milford has experienced amazing growth over just the last 5 – 10 years along St Route 28 with the addition of Kohls Department Store, several restaurants such as Applebee’s,Panera, O’Charly’s,  Lowes and Home Depot. The Park 50 TechneCenter is a large, high-tech office complex & Milford Commerce Park is a mix of light industrial, office and recreational development.  The new Rivers Edge, located off I-275 and St Route 50 is an entertainment & shopping destination. You’ll find the Showcase Cinema, Target, Cracker Barrel and plenty more!

Milford and Miami Township residents enjoy a variety of parks, including Paxton-Ramsey and Kelly Nature Preserve. There are plenty of outdoor activities in Milford.  You can join your neighbors on the bike trail. The Cincinnati Sand Volley Ball Club  plays in Milford.   There’s canoeing on the Little Miami.  Paddlers can put in at Lake Isabella.  The Cincinnati Nature Center  is located in south east Milford, and I highly recommend it for a little “clear your head” time.

The Promont House, a Victorian Italianate style mansion, can be reserved for formal, Victorian Teas.  A  Victorian Christmas is held yearly at Promont House. This special event is sponsored by the Greater Milford Historical Society. 

School aged kids are served by the Milford School District.  Milford Exempted  was  rated as “Excellent” by the Ohio Department of Education Local Report Card for the 2007-2008 school year.

Some “locals” to definitely check out:

• 20 Brix -Touted as “Cincinnati’s 1st & Only True Wine Bar”.  Patio Dining. The Grilled Vegetable Salad is a “must”
• Latitudes Café   – Tapas Menu, Small plates for sharing
• Fountain Specilist- Designs for home and office. Fountains and Garden Pools
• Hammond Hardwood Floor Company – Since 1954! 
• Milford Pottery – Beautiful, unique, functional 
• Greenies Indoor Golf – Indoor Golf? Sure…just for fun!

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com

Rowe Woods, with more than 16 miles of trails, winding up and around 1,025 lush acres, is part of the Cincinnati Nature Center group that also includes Long Branch Farm & Trails in Goshen, Ohio.

The history of the nature center is fascinating. Carl Krippendorf was born in 1875 to German immigrant parents living in Cincinnati. Carl wasn’t a healthy child and was sent to live in the country, to breathe fresh clean air. Staying with a doctor in the Perintown area, Carl fell in love with the outdoors: the woods, the flowers, woodland creatures.

You can read more at www.cincynature.org. They beautifully explain how Carl purchased the land, built his home for his bride, and lived happily ever after.

The Cincinnati Nature Center was founded in 1965 by Stanley Rowe and 12 other environmentalists, anchored in the firm belief that “All people, especially children, benefit physically, emotionally and intellectually from frequent contact with nature.”

Named for Mr. Rowe, The Stanley Rowe All Persons path is a level, paved path that allows all visitors to get out and enjoy the center.

Krippendorf Lodge, built in 1899, welcomes visitors with its large, covered, wraparound porch and stone terrace.

Celebration Garden, located near the Krippendorf Lodge, is a lovely place to stroll. You can remember loved ones through donations to the Nature Center. A bench, a plaque, or some other marker can be placed on the CNC gardens. Look at their site for details.

The Nature Shop has fun & educational items like birdfeeders, children’s books, field guides, binoculars…and plenty more.
There are nature camps, stream exploration programs, and bird walks.  Excellent school programs give school aged kids the opportunity to get out and learn.
Be sure to visit the Abner Hollow cabin, and remember to count your blessings….like indoor plumbing and central air!
Turtle and fish feeding is allowed at Powel Crosley Lake. If the bullfrogs are singing when I pass Lotus Pond, they just make me grin. 

The membership fee is reasonable. It’s just $50 for two adults in the same household.  Other rates are available for families, or singles. Check out www.cincynature.org  for details.  It’s a pretty good way to get the kids out to play!
My favorite thing to do is just hike the trails. I like to go out there and “get lost”. The stress just melts away.  I think more clearly, and relax. With over 16 miles of trail, I like combining different trails for a change of scenery. It’s absolutely breathtaking in the fall colors. Equally spectacular after the long, gray winter when the spring annuals take bloom.

Huffing and puffing the trails, I can just visualize Carl and Mary living in their cabin, and enjoying 999 acres of land.
In the spring and fall months I see plenty of deer every time I go out.
I once walked right past a huge barn owl perched on a fence. So, get out there and leave behind the phones, the computers, the T.V., the stress!

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com