Here, Kitty Kitty

Park Hill’s Premier Cat Tour A Roaring Success

By Cara DeGette

Editor, GPHN

Megan Nyce thought maybe a couple dozen people would show up for the first Park Hill Cat Tour. 

Think again. A crowd of about 70 people swarmed the meeting spot at Turtle Park for the Sept. 8 event — young families, couples, older tourists, and even childless cat ladies. The humans gathered that Sunday morning for a walkabout to check out the cats of Park Hill. JD Vance did not participate.

“It was a really good mix,” said Nyce, who organized the tour. Some dressed up in their favorite cat-themed T-shirts, phone cameras at the ready like any good tourist. 

“It’s important to the fabric of our society that we connect all these cats in the neighborhood,” she said. “Plus, oh man, it was a hoot.”

Nyce was inspired after reading a news story about the Wedge neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where cat tours have been a phenomenon since 2017. 

“I was like, we need that,” she said. “It’s sort of a play on the [Park Hill] Garden Tour and the Home Tour — now it’s time for the Cat Tour.”

Nyce made a Park Hill Cat Tour Facebook page and created a form for humans to sign up their cats. It was clear from the start the tour would be a hit. These were just a few posted responses:

“Heck yes! Cats Cats Cats!”

“Oh my god, yes.”

“Wait, this is so awesome. Lol. I’m totally going.”

“I’M SO THERE.”

Nearly 20 people signed up their cats, but Nyce ended up shaving a few participants off because they were on the far-outer limits of the planned route. The tourists walked a three-mile loop running from Ash to Fairfax streets and 19th and 28th avenues. The final tally was 11 stops, featuring 19 star cats, plus three unplanned bonus cats who showed up in alleyways or were spotted in windows.

Ahead of the tour, Nyce posted photos on Facebook to help gin up excitement: “Astro of Fairfax Street looks forward to meeting you all!” and “Happy Friday! Here’s Frank.” 

Other soon-to-be stars were revealed: Malcolm of Bellaire Street, Saturn “Cat of Many Expressions” and her housemate/nemesis Mercury, Jack, Buddy, Luna, Shadow, Puzzle and Mercury of Forest Street, Astro of Forest Street… “he’s a handsome boy, and quite a snappy dresser.” 

There was Hank of Forest Street, Mandy and Sammy of Eudora Street, Kizzie and Otis, Pete and Shiloh, Maisie and Bea (who are rescues from Hurricane Harvey). 

The last stop on the tour was billed the Grand Finale: Oscar, Atticus, and Sasha of Dexter Street.

Nyce said there were no “expectations” about the cat encounters, and the tourists went with the flow. Outside a house at 20th and Clermont, she was amused to see “all these people gathered in a yard and people taking pictures of the cat, like it was some rare bird.” Another house had a sign on the front door announcing it was a designated tour stop. Tourists looked inside a window, where they could observe a cat on a cat tower. A second cat, Boots, was nowhere to be found — until someone finally spotted Boots on the front porch. 

Some owners told stories about their cats; one brought their cat out on a leash and kids lined up to pet it. Other humans had their cats on harnesses, and the cats loved being the center of attention. At one house, Astro the cat just stayed in the window. “He looked at us and we looked at him.”  

There was just one casualty of the day when Shiloh’s owner encountered an angry claw while trying to present her. The cat ran off and hid. Other than that, no scratches, no bites, and no hissing. A couple cats did split fast when they saw the crowd of humans approaching. 

People really understood their cats, Nyce said, and how (and whether) they would tolerate being the center of attention. “There was this one pet — it was a gray cat near the end — and this cat walked all the way through the crowd to make sure everyone had a chance to pet it.”

Nobody brought unsanctioned treats, she said, and “thankfully, nobody brought a dog.” 

“I was wondering, what would I say if that happened?”

All of the participants did receive a little tinsel ball from Nyce, a token of appreciation.

Plans are already underway for next year’s Park Hill Cat Tour, with a few upgrades. Organizers may incorporate a cat-themed Spotify soundtrack along the route, for example. 

Nyce will also bring a megaphone next time, to help move the crowds along. After all, herding humans is hard work.