COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Parks Director Mark Jones feels positive about the park department’s progress as it embarks on the next phase of determining community priorities.
Jones recently presented a progress report to the Columbus Parks Board on how the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department has worked toward the goals of its 2017-2021 master plan.
The top five “high priorities” that arose as part of that plan were new parks spaces; indoor recreation; bikeways and trails; natural areas and experiences and improving the existing system.
“Those were the ones that popped up that the community wanted to see as a high priority,” said Jones.
In discussing new spaces, Jones mentioned NexusPark, the city’s joint venture with Columbus Regional Health to turn FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center. The two entities partnered to purchase the property in 2018. Officials plan for NexusPark to include the new headquarters for the city’s parks department, with spaces for both administration and recreation — including an athletic fieldhouse to boost sports tourism.
The 2017-2021 master plan mentions FairOaks Mall in its section on indoor recreation, noting that participants in a visioning workshop discussed “the viability of retrofitting under-utilized big-box retail locations for parks and recreation usage.” Both the mall and a property at 3110 North National Road were identified as locations worth looking into.
There have also been smaller property additions over the past five years. Jones said that the Discount Tire on U.S. 31 donated property to the department.
“They donated about three acres just north of their building, which already ties into our Everroad Park,” he said. “So it just adds to our Everroad Park numbers, and hopefully a future trailhead, trail connection to the existing trail.”
For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
