COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Columbus recently approved plans to spend $1.5 million to purchase 78.6 acres near Eastland Mall to build a new park.
“This is one of the city’s most underserved areas as far as parkland. With this acquisition, 5,000 residents will be within a 10-minute walk of a park,” said Kerry Francis, a spokesman for Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Francis said the city approved plans to acquire the property Nov. 1.
Officials will use a $1 million grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Fund and $525,000 from the department’s Capital Improvements Acquisition budget to purchase the property, Francis said.
The land is located along Refugee Road, Kimberly Parkway and Old Courtright Road.
Francis said the park could include amenities such as a playground, a sports court, walking paths and picnic tables.
“There are five access points to the area, making it easily accessible. We don’t have set plans yet as the process is just beginning. We will seek input from the community on what they need and want to see to ensure we design a park that meets their needs,” Francis said. “Much of the land will feature green space and go toward conservation efforts, providing substantial long-term preservation of water quality, forests, habitat and public access in an underserved area of the city.”
