A Stunning Boardwalk Meant to Impress
Spotlights Sustainable Natural Wood
Ovation is a 25-acre, mixed-use luxury development in Newport, Kentucky, comprised of 1,000 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office space, multiple hotels, 150,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, and access to a private social, health and wellness club.
Ovation was designed and built for a modern, active lifestyle. From its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers, where Ohio and Kentucky meet, residents and visitors enjoy panoramic views, along with access to concerts, restaurants, hiking, and biking. The boardwalk follows the outer rim of the development along the Riverfront Commons multi-use trail and overlooks the two rivers as well as the General James Taylor Park, with sweeping views of the Ohio riverfront and the Cincinnati skyline.
The entire Ovation project was conceived with pedestrians in mind, and its stunning 1,500-foot boardwalk is a testament to that vision. This boardwalk spans an incredible four football fields in length, a seamless path of sustainably harvested, natural, authentic Tali timber that is bookended by two bridges.
FSC-certified Tali, a perfect choice: “The Ovation boardwalk is a prominent, important component of the overall Ovation project, and the designer specified actual wood, not composite,” according to Brandon Coppage, vice president and general manager of Kelly Bros Lumber and Design, which supplied the Ovation’s Tali. “Given its availability, affordability and durability, FSC-certified Tali was an ideal choice for the project. In addition to its performance and longevity characteristics, the developer was drawn to the product’s appearance and consistency,” Coppage noted.
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Tali has an appealing mahogany-like grain character and a medium uniform texture and the same durability class as Ipé and Cumaru, making the wood resistant to decay. It is suitable for exterior use even untreated. FSC certified Tali is imported from Africa by ETT Fine Woods who sources the wood from Interholco’s sawmill in The Republic of the Congo. “We are pleased to partner with companies like Interholco,” said Charles Craig, CEO of ETT Fine Woods. “Sourcing woods like Tali provide our customers with high performance exterior woods while offering longterm socio-economic benefits for the people and communities where we do business.”
“At the heart of our business is social and environmental responsibility,” adds Interholco’s Chief Operating Officer, Christophe Janssen. “Our wood products maintain tropical forests for future generations, while also providing communities in these areas with access to fair and competitive wages, medical care, education and other benefits.”
Herringbone pattern creates dynamic visual appeal: The character and appeal of the Ovation boardwalk is further enhanced by its distinctive herringbone design. The interlocking zig-zag pattern creates a sense of movement, depth and dimension, a dynamic visual element that gives the expansive boardwalk sophistication and elegance. The use of herringbone dates back to the Roman Empire, where it was originally applied in road construction. The technique has become a symbol of style, status and refinement often used in high-end design, and today it enjoys renewed popularity in homes, hospitality venues, and commercial spaces.
Beyond aesthetics, the herringbone pattern offers several functional advantages. Its interwoven layout improves structural stability, an important consideration in areas of heavy foot traffic, while making economical use of smaller pieces of wood. The Ovation boardwalk project called for some 62,000 linear feet, 27,000 square feet of Tali timber. In addition, Tali was used on a rooftop bar and in several other siding, decking, furniture, and wall covering applications throughout the development.
Tali is gaining traction: “Tali has been a preferred decking choice in many European countries for years, but it is relatively new in the U.S. market,” according to Dennis McGowan, a senior sales executive at ETT Fine Woods. “We’ve seen more interest recently since sourcing of Ipé and Cumaru is currently difficult and uncertain due to new regulations that have resulted in increased paperwork, delays and higher costs for South American hardwoods.”
“Tali’s sustainability, FSC certification, and moderate cost plus its ready availability in the U.S. in various sizes make it an attractive alternative to traditional better-known decking species,” McGowan said. “We expect to see more usage of Tali in the future. It offers unbeatable value and quality in the competitive tropical decking market.”
The Ovation boardwalk is more than simply a pathway. It is a corridor that connects the Ovation community directly to the nearby rivers, the surrounding communities, and the spirit of the Greater Cincinnati area. Its design, together with the authenticity and natural beauty of Tali, reflect a vision that balances environmental awareness, sustainable building materials and creative excellence. It provides beauty, functionality and value, and will serve the practical needs of the Ovation community for many years to come.
SPOTLIGHT ON: TALI
SPECIES: Erythrophleum Ivorense
ORIGIN: Central and West Africa
COMMON APPLICATIONS: Decking and exterior siding, as well as industrial applications and hydraulic works (fresh water).
CHARACTERISTICS/APPEARANCE: The wood is brown with both orange and red hues, with a clearly demarcated sapwood. The grain is interlocked with a coarse texture, leading to challenges in planing. Due to the wood’s extreme hardness, pre-boring is recommended. Tali is very dense, stable and durable, as well as resistant to fungi, termites, and dry wood borers.
JANKA HARDNESS SCALE: 2,920 lbf
COMMENTS: A lesser known timber species, Tali is a preferred decking wood in many European countries and is suitable for exterior use, even untreated. This wood is in the same durability class as decking woods like Ipé and Cumaru. Tali has an appealing mahogany-like grain character. The wood is photosensitive and darkens with continued exposure to light. It is suitable for exterior use, even untreated.
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the Ovation boardwalk in Newport, Kentucky?+
The Ovation boardwalk was built using FSC-certified Tali, a sustainably harvested tropical hardwood from Africa. Tali was chosen for its availability, affordability, durability, and consistent appearance.
How long is the Ovation boardwalk and how much Tali timber was used?+
The boardwalk spans 1,500 feet—roughly four football fields—and is bookended by two bridges. The project required approximately 62,000 linear feet and 27,000 square feet of Tali timber.
Where is FSC-certified Tali sourced from?+
FSC-certified Tali is imported from Africa by ETT Fine Woods, which sources the wood from Interholco's sawmill in The Republic of the Congo. The sourcing supports fair wages, medical care, and education for local communities.
How does Tali compare to Ipé and Cumaru for decking?+
Tali is in the same durability class as Ipé and Cumaru, making it resistant to decay and suitable for exterior use even untreated. It has gained traction in the U.S. as sourcing of Ipé and Cumaru has become difficult due to new regulations causing delays and higher costs.
Why was a herringbone pattern chosen for the boardwalk design?+
The herringbone pattern creates a sense of movement, depth, and dimension, adding sophistication to the expansive boardwalk. It also improves structural stability for heavy foot traffic and makes economical use of smaller pieces of wood.
What are the key characteristics of Tali wood?+
Tali (Erythrophleum Ivorense) is a dense, stable hardwood from Central and West Africa with a Janka hardness of 2,920 lbf. It has brown coloring with orange and red hues, a mahogany-like grain, and is resistant to fungi, termites, and dry wood borers. The wood is photosensitive and darkens with exposure to light.