The Norwood Community Survey was launched with the goal of bringing more objectivity to our civic life. And while it’s certainly interesting to see city-wide trends, I think the most-interesting takeaways from the survey can be found at the ward level.
If there’s one thing that’s become glaringly obvious to me while analyzing the data from the survey, it’s that each ward of Norwood is its own animal. Sure, we all exist under the banner of Norwood, Ohio, but I think it’s unrealistic to assume that a one-size-fits-all approach is sufficient.
Think about it like this: the City of Cincinnati has 300,000 residents spread across 52 neighborhoods. On average, each neighborhood has about 6,000 residents. At least to me, it’s obvious that different neighborhoods have different needs, and that the city takes a different approach to different areas. They all need love, but that love takes different shapes from College Hill to Columbia-Tusuculm to Lower Price Hill.
In Norwood, we’ve got about 20,000 residents spread across four wards, which means each ward has about 5,000 residents. Yes, we’re smaller, but that’s still a lot of people to try and paint with a broad brush.
About the survey
To get a comprehensive overview of how the survey came to be, who participated, and what was asked, you are encouraged to review the detailed overview of the 2020 Norwood Community Survey. In short, it was a 51-question survey that asked about a wide variety of local topics, including: city services, schools, parks, and more.
For this article, the information below is based on the responses provided by 34 residents of Ward 4. Unfortunately, this was the lowest participation of any ward. After the initial responses gathered from my leaflet drop, I emailed every participant asking them to forward it to their neighbors. I also reached out to community leaders from Ward 4, but in the end, there was only so much I can do. I acknowledge that these results aren’t perfect and that not everyone in Norwood participated, but I do think they are directionally valid. Read more about the confidence interval in the overview. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that the sentiments outlined below reflect a ward that feels less connected to the city — and less connected to their neighbors — than the other three wards of Norwood.
For reference, here is the map of Norwood’s wards. Ward 4 is the northwest quadrant of the city and is highlighted in yellow below.
Now, without further adieu, let’s get to the summary of the data, which represent both numerical and open-ended responses.
Disclaimer: The administration of the City of Norwood had nothing to do with this effort.
Your Neighborhood
What could be done to help you feel more safe in your neighborhood?
- I feel safe in my neighborhood apart from a few folks who like to drive very fast down our street. We have a lot of kids on the street (including my own) and that does worry me.
- Need to patrol areas where drug deals seem to be an issue, such as the corner of Warren and Worth. Maybe set up cameras in those areas that can be relocated as needed to other areas as needed. Need to make sure that properties that are not taken care of because of bad landlords or foreclosed properties, that the yards are taken care of so they looked lived in.
- Lighting of the environment at night. Well kept sidewalks that you couldn’t stumble or trip over. Streets I don’t have to worry about getting a pot hole when I drive.
- More oversight of housing. If the house is abandoned and neglected, please address. If homes are at minimal living standards, work with home owners or landlords to make repairs
- The speeding on my street is excessive. It concerns me to let my daughter play in the front yard.
- Read all 20 comments submitted by respondents from Ward 4.
What do you like the most about living in your neighborhood?
- Its affordable, quiet and friendly.
- We all watch out for the street. Even if we don’t always talk. But there are smiles and hellos. Acknowledging each other and being familiar with who has pets, what cars belong to our neighbors, etc.
- I love not only being within walking distance of great spots like Quatman Cafe and Indian Mound Cafe but also in easy driving distance to literally any corner of Cincinnati. I also love how many friendly families/people there are on our street.
- I like the sense of community, reminds me of where I grew up in Deer Park. People are friendly overall. Most of the neighborhood where I live keeps their yards up.
- 6 generations deep
- Read all 29 comments submitted submitted by respondents from Ward 4.
What is your least favorite thing about your neighborhood?
- Empty store fronts and lack of businesses I want to go to in Norwood
- Properties that are not being kept up and drugs on some street corners.
- Really the only thing that truly bothers me is the people that drive really fast down the street. It’s loud and risky given all the kids that play out in front yards.
- Terrible roads. I pay Norwood as much as I do the state of Ohio in taxes (over twice the rate of the rest of Cincy) and I do not feel like I see that come back our way.
- Run down areas closely surrounding our neighborhood (that could be thriving business areas!), terrible streets
- Read all 30 comments.
Editor’s note: While the overall sentiment is that Ward 4 is improving, it’s worth pointing out that respondents are, comparatively, much less enthusiastic about the pace of progress than the other wards.
If you were to move away from your current area of Norwood in the next five years, what would be the most likely reason(s) for your move?
- Rental property is being sold. rentals in Norwood have mostly become unaffordable
- We are nearly finished paying our mortgage, and we’d like more educational choices for our kid. Norwood public schools is our only true option for education. We’d prefer a Montessori or at least more options for schools. We plan to move to the CPS district because we have many options available.
- I could see myself getting tired of the nonsense and moving back into Cincy.
- found a more progressive, connected community elsewhere
- To have a drive way, garage and overall better neighborhood
- Real all 29 comments.
What changes would most improve the neighborhood?
- Definitely better sidewalks and road maintenance. It’s great to see the projects like the U.S. Playing Card Factory redevelopment, but it would be incredible to see investment in Hunter Park and the vacant storefronts around Norwood View Elementary. This would help support existing small businesses like Taqueria San Marcos and the bodega on on Worth between Rolston and Section, while creating a more walkable neighborhood for community members.
- Speed Bumps. Better sidewalks for walkers/bikers/strollers (especially for school children who walk to school)
- More areas for people to gather, whether that be restaurants, bars, etc. or parks. There is a park down the street from us (Fenwick Park) that has some potential.
- Need new streets, making sure that landlord and foreclosures have their properties maintained consistently, and have more patrols and cameras in the areas where known drug dealing is happening.
- Better lighting
- Improved communication between ward 4, local government and community groups.
- Read all 30 comments.
Community Involvement & Engagement
Editor’s note: Compared to the responses from the other wards, Ward 4 reported, by far, the lowest levels of Sense Of Community and Participation In Activities.
If you do not participate in community organizations or activities, why not? What would make you more likely to attend in the future?
- There aren’t many opportunities that we are aware of.
- We would participate in senior activities if more were available
- They can sometimes feel clique-y, especially amongst new vs old Norwoodians
- Ill preface this with I am not great at for checking events on a municipality website. I usually look for community events while out and about in the community. For example I saw a flyer for an event at a coffee shop on Floral a couple years back. That coffee shop has left Norwood. I think there is a lack of community gathering spots in Norwood so there is a lack of places to get that kind of information. Or maybe I’m just not paying attention enough.
- Read all 19 comments.
What types of community activities would you participate in, if they were available?
- Could be anything. I am open to all kinds of community participation, its just not crossing my radar
- Farmers markets, open air “fancy flea” markets, festivals, community picnics, music festivals
- Park cleanup days, helping some of the older folks cleanup the exterior of their homes
- Live music festivals or anything arts and culture related.
- Farmers Markets, Maybe some community service like cleaning up parks. We have neighborhood happy hours in our driveways sometimes, something like that would be great.
- Read all 25 comments.
Local Government & Services
Editor’s note: While Ward 4’s distrust of city spending is reflective of the overall population, it is notable that Ward 4 shows the least understanding of how city tax dollars are spent. I wonder if this is related to the lower levels of community connectivity / word-of-mouth outlined earlier.
What could the Norwood Police Department do to be seen as more favorable in your eyes?
- We have a very good Police department. One of the best. But maybe have more interaction with the public.
- Hire more women and minorities
- Run radar on my street to control speeding
- Stop with the joke-y Facebook posts, it’s embarrassing and often in poor taste.
- I would like it if they were more diverse, but I understand that that is easier said than done. I believe NPD could be viewed more favorably if they went above and beyond in terms of diversity and de-escalation training to decrease violent interactions, and to advertise that they complete this training.
- Read all 21 comments.
What could the Norwood Fire Department do to be seen as more favorable in your eyes?
- They do an excellent job
- Merge with Cincinnati/county for an equitable but cheaper service.
- N/A, luckily I’ve never needed to interact with them!
- We have a top notch Fire department. Maybe they could also interact with the public.
- Read all 14 comments.
Parks, Infrastructure, and Local Businesses
What would make you more likely to use the Wasson Way trail? Any other ideas to improve it?
- I’ve never heard of it! I will now research it. I love the outdoors and recreational areas.
- Feeder trails to north Norwood.
- I love Wasson Way. I’d love to see some more improvement along the trail either on our side of the trail or the other. It’s a prime spot for bars, restaurants, coffee. It could look like the downtown Loveland part of the Little Miami Trail. I see a ton of potential.
- Norwood community events at WW trail
- Read all 19 comments.
Editor’s note: Ward 4 is home to only two of Norwood’s 12 parks and shows, by far, the lowest utilization rate of public parks. The only ward that has fewer parks — Ward 2 — has flocked to Wasson Way to fill its desire for outdoor activity. Meanwhile, Wasson Way is practically non-existent to Ward 4 respondents.
Do you have other thoughts or comments to share about a possible tax levy for street repairs?
- With the current financial state of Norwood, I don’t know that I could trust it would only be used for streets.
- I would 100% support a tax levy to fix the streets. It’s like a 3rd world country around here.
- Do we need a tax levy to repair roads that we already pay taxes to maintain? Maybe I don’t understand how taxes work but, isn’t this something that we don’t have to raise money for?
- Why do our roads bubble? Who are we outsourcing to do this job? Clearly, the engineering behind the project is horrible, because nowhere else in the city of Cincinnati do we have roads as crazy as the roads in Norwood. Our roads are being laid terrible! Who is profiting off of us? I’m sure they are charging us an arm and a leg for shoddy product. We need to find a new company to fix these roads. It’s embarrassing. Is this really what we want visitors to Norwood to see?
- I’m not in favor for any tax levy
- Read all 16 comments.
Editor’s note: While the city-wide opinion about Norwood’s dining options is low, Ward 4 shows the greatest displeasure in their perception of the quantity and quality of bars and restaurants in the area.
Editor’s note: When it comes to running errands, getting to work, or just getting around, Ward 4 respondents show, undoubtedly, the lowest bike usage of any area of Norwood, as well as the lowest rate of walking. Judging by other comments, I suspect this is related to speeding cars, the hillier landscape of North Norwood, and the relative distance to Surrey Square.
Other Comments
At the end of the survey, participants were given a blank slate to comment on whatever else was on their minds. Here’s what they had to say.
- Love this! I’ve loved Norwood and am sad to have to leave next year. It’s nice to see the real estate gaining value, I hope that’s a good sign for things to come!
- Thank you for putting together such a thorough and thoughtful survey!
- We love Norwood. Have been here for 45 years. Would like to see it continue to grow. Montgomery Rd needs upgraded with family oriented businesses. The parks need upgraded. We see lots of houses being renovated and young families move in. But then homeschool their kids or send them to private schools. This will not better our school district. We have a wonderful school system with wonderful teachers. Our school buildings have been renovated. Give our schools a chance!!
- I like living here. I think the schools and the infrastructure need serious help. The social part of bars and restaurants isn’t as pressing right now in a pandemic.
- Streets, schools, community. Let’s strengthen the core!
- My daughter wants an ice cream shop and a craft store. (I second the craft store, we have nothing close by anymore)
- I’ve always been a voter, but I’ve never been huge into politics. Then I moved to Norwood where I can look out my door and see the impact our local elected officials have. I went back and listened to all of your old episodes, I’ve been tuning in to town meetings, I’m hoping to get involved with some campaigns this year (pending vaccination).
- Really concerned with gentrification of our neighborhood. I’m fine with change but it shouldn’t cause displacement of lifelong residents.
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Thanks for reading the Ward 4 summary. I’d love to read your thoughts on what was presented. Please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas for bettering the ward.
Also, if you found this interesting, be sure to check out the Ward 1 summary, which was the first ward article published.