New Albany
Ohio
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New Albany Parks
History
In 1994, New Albany Parks Commission was directed to chair the Focus Group made up of two representatives each from the School, Township, and Village in order to determine the feasibility of creating a Joints Parks District. With this Community effort, we successfully formed the New Albany Plain Local Joints Parks District in 1999. With our team effort, the JPD successfully obtained a permanent millage and subsequently the Community approved the $5 million bond for capital improvements.
From starting with no offices or park director, the JPD now has its office on Market Street. We have hired a Parks Director and Sports Coordinator for the majority of youth and adult leagues within our Community. We have provided recreation programs such as tennis, arts and crafts, and computer programs. We have created programs for everyone from our children to adult citizens.
Moreover, the JPD started with no parkland in 1999. Now, within only 5 years, we can proudly state that the JPD has obtained through gracious donations approximately 135 acres of parkland. The JPD has been able to obtain their properties without the use of any tax dollars. Over 75% of our budget has gone to the capital improvement of our parkland. We will have invested over $1 million in Bevelhymer Park, with soccer fields, lighted baseball fields, tennis courts, paved parking lots, and newly planted landscaping.
Looking to the future, in the winter of 2004, JPD has budgeted for the building of the concession facility with bathrooms at Bevelhymer. The JPD plans a ground breaking for the newly acquired Thompson Road Park in spring 2004 for the development of a state of the art tennis facility, basketball court, additional athletic fields (soccer, football and baseball), leisure paths along the creek and throughout the park with exercise facilities, picnic area near the creek, and passive recreational areas. We obtained additional land through the gracious donation of NACO and the anticipated donation of M/I Homes.
Further, in spring 2004, the JPD plans to build the Eagles Nest Playground, the Wexner Pavilion, the Davis Commons, and the Karr Family Garden and Pergola. The Karr family personally donated $5,000.00 to the JPD to ensure that the entire Community can enjoy these beautiful and unique gardens with structures. The Wexner Community Park is a terrific example of a public/private partnership benefiting the Community.
Also, Keith Karr personally donated the majority of furniture to the JPD to prevent the use of budgeted funds for office purchases. This allowed the budget to fund capital improvements of recreational facilities that New Albany desperately needed. In addition, Keith Karr initiated Tree Village New Albany and assisted in the formation of the New Albany Civic Association, which provided the New Albany Independence Day Fireworks Exhibition.
In 1994, New Albany Parks Commission was directed to chair the Focus Group made up of two representatives each from the School, Township, and Village in order to determine the feasibility of creating a Joints Parks District. With this Community effort, we successfully formed the New Albany Plain Local Joints Parks District in 1999. With our team effort, the JPD successfully obtained a permanent millage and subsequently the Community approved the $5 million bond for capital improvements.
From starting with no offices or park director, the JPD now has its office on Market Street. We have hired a Parks Director and Sports Coordinator for the majority of youth and adult leagues within our Community. We have provided recreation programs such as tennis, arts and crafts, and computer programs. We have created programs for everyone from our children to adult citizens.
Moreover, the JPD started with no parkland in 1999. Now, within only 5 years, we can proudly state that the JPD has obtained through gracious donations approximately 135 acres of parkland. The JPD has been able to obtain their properties without the use of any tax dollars. Over 75% of our budget has gone to the capital improvement of our parkland. We will have invested over $1 million in Bevelhymer Park, with soccer fields, lighted baseball fields, tennis courts, paved parking lots, and newly planted landscaping.
Looking to the future, in the winter of 2004, JPD has budgeted for the building of the concession facility with bathrooms at Bevelhymer. The JPD plans a ground breaking for the newly acquired Thompson Road Park in spring 2004 for the development of a state of the art tennis facility, basketball court, additional athletic fields (soccer, football and baseball), leisure paths along the creek and throughout the park with exercise facilities, picnic area near the creek, and passive recreational areas. We obtained additional land through the gracious donation of NACO and the anticipated donation of M/I Homes.
Further, in spring 2004, the JPD plans to build the Eagles Nest Playground, the Wexner Pavilion, the Davis Commons, and the Karr Family Garden and Pergola. The Karr family personally donated $5,000.00 to the JPD to ensure that the entire Community can enjoy these beautiful and unique gardens with structures. The Wexner Community Park is a terrific example of a public/private partnership benefiting the Community.
Also, Keith Karr personally donated the majority of furniture to the JPD to prevent the use of budgeted funds for office purchases. This allowed the budget to fund capital improvements of recreational facilities that New Albany desperately needed. In addition, Keith Karr initiated Tree Village New Albany and assisted in the formation of the New Albany Civic Association, which provided the New Albany Independence Day Fireworks Exhibition.