Devou Park's grandeur, historical significance, and vastness is highly valued by Peter Nerone; he expresses his hope that more families will participate in the park's activities.
Devou Park, fondly known as 'The Emerald in the crown of the Queen City,' has been a significant location for the community of Covington for over a century. The 505-acre park, gifted to the city by the Devou family in 1910, has grown from an extensive estate to a popular destination for visitors from as far as 150 miles.
The park's history began with early settlers before becoming the Devou family's estate, purchased in the 1860s from the Montague family and expanded over the years. Charles and William Devou donated the property with the stipulation that Charles could live in the family home until his death. Today, the Devou Family Home has been preserved to become the Behringer-Crawford Museum.
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is committed to preserving the rich culture and heritage of Northern Kentucky. It features various exhibits on natural history, archaeology, geology, transportation, immigration, visual and performing arts, and memorabilia collected by William Behringer. A new addition to the museum is NaturePlay, an innovative play space that inspires kids to explore nature while learning about the region's heritage and pioneer settlements.
The Covington Rotary Club has been repeatedly involved in improvements to Devou Park over the past 100 years. They were the first civic group to invest in the park, establishing Rotary Grove and beginning to plant trees to honour deceased members around a century ago. More recently, the Overlook Area in Devou Park was remodelled by Ralph Drees' foundation and family.
Devou Park offers a variety of amenities for visitors. The Devou Park Golf Course features a 6,091-yard layout with zoysia fairways and bent grass greens. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are 16 miles of natural surface trails, 15 miles of secluded tracks through the rolling landscape of Backcountry Trails (a haven for hikers and mountain bikers), and paved trails that provide an opportunity to explore the entire park, past Prisoners Lake, Rotary Grove Memorial, and other landmarks.
The Memorial Overlook at Devou Park offers a breathtaking panorama of Cincinnati and Covington from its highest peak, just beyond Drees Pavilion. The Concert Bowl and bandshell, opened in 1939, are used for music, art, theater, and outdoor events. Peter Nerone, the Devou Park Advisory Committee-Chairperson and board member of Devou Properties, expressed hope for high school band competitions to take place in the Band Shell soon.
Devou Park has been a significant location for many marriage vows and the following generations of children. Peter Nerone learned about community service from his high school teachers Paul Lammemeier and Tom Meyer, and he continues to dedicate his time to improving Devou Park for the benefit of the community. The park's continued growth and development are a testament to the dedication of individuals like Peter Nerone and the support of organizations such as the Covington Rotary Club and the Ralph Drees Foundation.
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