Gahanna Parks & Recreation Board Meeting - August 20, 2025

Note: The system instruction specified a date of September 5, 2025, but the agenda, minutes, and transcript all indicate the meeting occurred on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. This summary reflects the actual meeting date.

The Parks & Recreation Board met on August 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM in Gahanna City Hall Council Chambers. The board reviewed the draft 2026 operational budget, received updates on the Price Road Exploration Center construction, staff changes, and committee activities. No formal votes were taken on budget items; the budget will be discussed further at the September meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (July 16, 2025): A motion by Ken Shepherd, seconded by Eric Miller, to approve the minutes as published carried unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Operational Budget Presentation: Director Stephania Ferrell presented the draft 2026 budget request for the Parks & Recreation Department. The document shows 2024 and 2025 appropriations and expenditures as of July 2025, plus revenue projections. Key points:

  • General recreation materials and supplies: The request is significantly higher than prior years due to the upcoming opening of the Price Road Exploration Center in 2026, which will require stocking materials.
  • Golf revenue: Two revenue totals are shown – one for taxable items (apparel, concessions) and one for non-taxable items (memberships, greens fees). Fee increases are reviewed after each season using a cost recovery model and comparison to other municipalities.
  • Senior center professional services: The increase is attributed to the new 825 Tech Center Drive senior center opening, which will require more signage and brochures.
  • Street trees: The $400,000+ request is higher than current expenditures because fall plantings and a tree inventory (encumbered funds) have not yet been spent. The request also covers replacement of removed trees, including Bradford pears.
  • Parking lot paving: Not included in the operational budget; small projects may fall under parks operations, but larger replacements are in the capital budget.
  • Salaries and benefits are formulated by the Finance Department and not in this document. Additional senior center support staff may be requested due to the new facility.
  • The budget will be presented again in September for further questions before it goes to Mayor Jadwin and City Council.

• Director's Report (July 2025):

  • Price Road Exploration Center: Council approved moving into contract for construction; construction begins in September 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by end of summer 2026. A supplemental appropriation was approved to cover the full construction cost (total ~$1.8 million), including contingencies. The project received an extension on previously awarded State of Ohio Capital Grant funding.
  • New Hires: Sarah Ruff (from Grandview Heights) hired as Recreation Superintendent. Nichole Butler promoted to Recreation Coordinator; she will serve as clerk for the October meeting. The Administrative Coordinator position is posted through September 2, 2025.
  • Aquatics: 914 memberships sold in 2025, nearly 200 more than prior years.
  • Parking at Price Road: The facility will have 34 parking spots. Overflow parking may be possible via a partnership agreement with an adjacent church.
  • Floodplain issue: The lower level (2,800 sq ft of the 5,500 sq ft building) is in a floodplain and cannot be used for programming; it will house mechanicals and storage. The upper level will have three program rooms. The screened porch will be enclosed with glass to create a sunroom-style program space.

Committee Reports

• Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC): No meeting held. City Council declared August as “Share the Road and Distracted Driver Awareness Month” in Gahanna; BTAC representatives attended.
• Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC): Next meeting September 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM at the Senior Center.
• Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC): No report.

Other Business

• Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation: Hops & Vines event scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025. Volunteers and tickets are still available.
• Veterans Advisory Committee: The Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall will be in Gahanna in October 2025 (dates to be confirmed). Volunteers needed.
• Upcoming Events: Sweet Celebration (public engagement for Citywide Strategic Plan) on August 26, 2025 from 4-7 PM at Creekside. Next Gahanna Market on August 27, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously (7-0).
• No formal decisions were made on the 2026 budget; it will be revisited at the September meeting.
• Director’s report received; no board action required.
• Meeting adjourned without objection.