Parks & Recreation Board Meeting - June 17, 2026

The Gahanna Parks & Recreation Board met on June 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board reviewed playground replacement projects at Friendship Park and Ashburnham Park, received updates on system-wide playground lifecycle planning, and heard committee reports. No formal votes were taken on agenda items beyond approving the minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Roll call confirmed attendance of all members (Eric Miller, Donna Simmons, Holly Haines, Michael Moseley, Jan Ross, Ken Shepherd).
• Minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• No additions or corrections to the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the Hearing of Visitors.

Discussion Items

• Friendship Park Playground (Unfinished Business): Staff presented final renderings of the new playground. Key features include a poured-in-place surface, engineered wood fiber, a two-to-five-year-old area, a larger footprint (approximately one-third larger than the existing playground), shade structures, inclusive swing bays (four bays with belt and adaptive seats), a critter scavenger hunt, and a perimeter fence. The total project cost is approximately $860,000 plus contingency, bringing the total under $900,000. Funding sources include a $25,000 foundation contribution, $10,000 from another source, and a grant over $100,000. The project was submitted to City Council on June 15 for authorization to enter a purchase agreement. Construction timeline is contingent on council approval (expected July 6) and equipment lead time (8–12 weeks). If weather delays installation of the poured-in-place surface (requires temperatures above 50°F), completion may slip to spring 2027. One tree will be removed. The park would be closed for approximately 12 weeks during construction. The board asked about timing, closure duration, cost, color scheme, swing options, and scavenger hunt signage. Staff confirmed the design is final and that the gazebo is not part of this project.
• Ashburnham Park Playground (New Business): Staff presented a design for a neighborhood playground near Columbus Academy. The existing playground is minimal; the new design emphasizes natural themes (wooded area, flowers, tree motifs) and includes a two-to-five area, a five-to-twelve structure, a net climber, and additional swing bays (saucer, belt, infant, adaptive). Surface is engineered wood fiber. Budget is $236,000 with contingency. No shade structure or benches are included due to budget constraints, but natural shade from surrounding trees is available. The basketball court will remain; staff are exploring options to prevent basketballs from entering a nearby basin. A gravel path will connect the playground to an existing nature trail. Parking lot improvements are deferred to a future project. The board asked about shade, surface, connection to the trail, and potential partnership with Columbus Academy. Staff noted the playground is funded and on the replacement cycle due to inspection issues.
• Playground System Overview (New Business): Staff presented a system-wide approach to playground replacement. There are 17 playground features (including Hunters Ridge Park pool area) with a typical life cycle of 18–20 years. Certified playground safety inspectors conduct inspections twice a year; features are rated and closed if unsafe. The capital improvement plan prioritizes replacements based on age and funding capacity. The board noted that Pizzaro Park will not receive a full replacement; the focus there will remain on dog park amenities. Staff responded to questions about material advancements (no significant change in life expectancy) and concluded that the board accepted the report.
• Director's Report: Reported on Academy Park (100% designs submitted, feedback provided, resubmission pending), Southwest Floodplain aquatic site RFP (three responses received, evaluation underway), upcoming events (Explore Our Ecosystem bioblitz results event on June 27 at Woodside Green, 10 a.m. – noon; Blues & Jazz Festival that weekend). Also discussed a recent teen gathering at Sun Point Park managed proactively with police; no major incidents. A board member asked about a pedestrian crosswalk across a highway near Hannah Park; staff responded that a county feasibility study was completed for Clark State to Jefferson Township, and the crossing is part of a LinkUS funding request (CODA initiative), but detailed design is still needed. The city has jurisdiction between Hannah and Headley.
• Committee Reports:
  • Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee: No meeting, no next date set.
  • Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee: No meeting in June; next meeting July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Natural Resources Advisory Committee: Reported six participants in the bioblitz (age range 12–69, four residents, two non-residents).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• No formal votes were taken on the Friendship Park, Ashburnham Park, or playground system items; these were informational presentations.
• The board acknowledged the director's report and committee updates without action.
• The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time after polling members for comments.