City of Worthington: City Services: Revitalization Project

The project is ongoing. Two public tours were held in the summer of 2009. The Parks and Recreation Commission hosted a public meeting in July 2009 to hear resident concerns. A survey was mailed to 48 homeowners that border the parkland dealing primarily with the maintenance of where parkland and private property lines meet. Twenty surveys were returned, and individual meetings are being set up with the five residents that want to discuss concerns. The Parks and Recreation Commission has addressed concerns and will continue to discuss plans at their monthly meetings. The October meeting discussion focused on tree plantings and the November meeting will be on wildflowers.

Park Commission meetings are open to the public and held at the Community Center at 7:30pm.

Why is this project being considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission?

Sustainable practices are valid and valuable for the future of our parks in Worthington. This 103 acre parkland was developed in 1974. It now has approximately 70 acres of woods, approximately 30 acres that are mowed and 3 acres being returned to natural grasses and wildflowers. Approximately 50 trees each year are taken down for various reasons- from age and decline, disease, beaver damage, or AEP trimming. In just the past ten years we have lost well over 500 trees. This project gives positive direction for proper stewardship of this property.

Results of the homeowner survey were recorded and presented to the Commission. All resident input has been considered. The Columbus Department of Health has completed a site visit and filed a report with analysis and comments. The plan will continue a review process through the Recreation Commission to allow for public input. Additional projects could be considered in a partnership with Scouts or community groups.

Whitney and Highgate playgrounds have been renovated with new equipment and safety surface, including new swing bays. The tennis courts were resurfaced in the summer of 2009. Wood chip paths have been added as an option for walkers and joggers. Three benches have been donated and two seating areas created along the river. Low vegetation will replace overgrown honeysuckle. A wildflower meadow with an American Elm restoration was created. Seventy-five native hardwood seedlings from our tree nursery have been planted spring of 2009 and additional plantings are planned. Three hundred trees are scheduled for planting fall of 2009 in a variety of locations. The grass areas have been mowed to a winter height.

Besides the known loss of trees in this park, a recent tree canopy report was submitted to the City that supports this project. The report states that currently 70 acres of City owned land, or approximately 38 percent of property, is under tree canopy cover. The current canopy sequesters about 24 metric tons of carbon per year. To put that in perspective, City operations produce about 5750 metric tons per year. The report recommends that a greenways project be implemented such as the nursery and naturalization program we currently have in place. Storm water programs across Franklin County are implementing programs to replace mowed areas along stream corridors with meadows planted with native species. This helps to treat storm water runoff before it makes it directly to the river, filtering pollutants rather than contributing pollutants (such as fertilizer and weed control chemicals). The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District has a program in place promoting conservation easements. The agreements with landowners curtail all development within the stream/river corridor and limit grounds keeping to naturalizing activities. Our program is in keeping with what Ohio and the U.S. EPA would like to see occur across the region in respect to carbon emissions reduction as well as storm water treatment.

Projects Underway

There are many additional projects in the planning process, many which lend themselves to Eagle Scout projects or community partnerships. Those include:

Dog Walking Concerns: Explore the need for more mutt mitt containers (bags for dog waste clean up), signage and trash cans.	Soccer Field Drainage: There are a few areas on the soccer fields that do not drain well. A few minor changes in the grade of these areas will help solve this problem.
Install Blue Bird Houses: To create park visitor and wildlife interaction, it was suggested that blue bird boxes be placed in the meadow areas. Bluebird habitats have suffered due to farming practices, city expansion and non-native bird species. These boxes would also help stabilize bluebird populations.	Skate Park Issues: Re-evaluate issues with the skate park such as trash, repairs, and graffiti to better manage the site, reducing further maintenance.
Rain Garden Drainage Demonstration Site: Due to the large number of people who use this park, the suggestion was made to look for a site to install a Rain Garden. They are used to naturally filter runoff water before it reaches a municipal treatment drain or the river.	Wilson Bridge Road Vista: Over the years the trees along Wilson Bridge Road have grown up to the point that it is hard for the Police Department to see the skate park from the road. We felt that if that line of the site were re-established it may help to improve the security of the area, and possibly reduce vandalism.
Beaver Guards: We intend to explore the options of beaver and other wildlife protection on trees that will be functional (by improving safety and limiting river erosion) and are aesthetically pleasing.	Establish a Park and Bikeway Watch Team: A suggestion has been made to establish a group of volunteers to watch over the park and bikeway to inform Parks Crew (or the Police Department as needed) of problems or repairs.
Gabions Under Bridges: The areas on either side of the bridge foundations at the Whitney and Tucker entrances are beginning to experience erosion. Constructing new and additional gabions would help to slow this process.

Olentangy Revitalization Project