City News

New Gahanna Park and Recreation Finder App Now Available

The new Park and Recreation Finder application provides residents and visitors an easy way to find parks near them and/or throughout the city of Gahanna. Users can now search our park system by address, park name or amenities. By typing in a specific address or clicking on the Current Location button users can easily find parks near them or may search a specific park by name.

This application provides 24/7 access to park information and connects users on desktops, smartphones, and tablet devices. To view the new app, click here or click on the Gahanna Parks Finder image above.

For more information, contact City of Gahanna Parks & Recreation at 614.342.4250.

Road Closure Alert -- I-270 W

Beginning Friday, August 22, 2014 at 8 p.m. until Monday, August 25, 2014 at 5 a.m., I-270 west will be reduced to three lanes between Hamilton Road and Goshen Lane. In addition, the entrance ramps from Hamilton Road to I-270 west will also be closed. The work is for a bridge overlay.

The detour for SB Hamilton is SR 317 (Hamilton Rd.) to SR 16 to I-270 west.

The detour for NB Hamilton Rd. is SR 317 to US 62 west to I-270 west.

Leaders Wading Through Options for Pools

Original story by Marla K. Kuhlman

This Week news logo

Gahanna leaders are exploring ways to continue to offer safe pools and enjoyable for residents while planning for a sustainable financial future.

Parks and recreation director Tony Collins is expected to provide information to Gahanna City Council on Aug. 25 regarding the past, present and possible future operations of the pools.

Residents are invited to attend the committee meeting, Collins said, but a public-involvement meeting will be scheduled for September at a time, date and location to be determined.

The city outsourced pool and concession operations to Columbus Pool Management and Cardinal Vending & Concessions, respectively, this summer at Gahanna Swimming Pool and Hunters Ridge Pool.

At that time, Collins said, outsourcing wasn't necessarily the "silver bullet" for the city's pool problems.

The city wasn't planning to reopen the pools in 2015, but several residents have expressed concerns about the planned closures.

In a report to council, Collins said he's pleased that the parks and recreation department has assisted the community by providing pool opportunities for residents over the past 12 years.

Gahanna was asked to assume ownership and operations of the Hunters Ridge Pool in 2002 and the Gahanna Swimming Pool in 2008.

"We have served thousands of Gahanna families each year and have done it in a financially responsible manner," Collins said. "As the swimming season ends this year, a major challenge lies in front of our community. We have been asked to find a way to continue to offer safe aquatic opportunities while planning for a sustainable financial future for our city."

Click here to read the full story.

Fall Gateway Program Guide is now Available

The new Fall Gateway Program Guide is now available. Copies can be obtained at many local businesses and City locations including: City Hall, the Ohio Herb Education Center and the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course. The Gateway is also available online at the Parks & Recreation web page.

For more information about programming, contact the City of Gahanna Parks & Recreation Department at 614.342.4250.

Community News & Events

Creekside Live Returns with Spikedrivers & Jonalee White Trio
August 22, 2014

Join us for the final Creekside Live concert of the season this Friday, August 22 at Creekside Plaza (117 Mill St). Warming up the crowd at 6 p.m. will be the trio Jonalee White, Molly Pauken & Kay Harris. Jonalee's song, "Naked as Fools" debuted on CMT Pure Country in 2011. She has performed with many great artists such as Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Taylor Swift, just to name a few.

The Spikedrivers will be headlining this week's concert. They will take center stage at 8 p.m. Their sound has been described as upbeat, bluesy, "country-fried rock n' roll." Their music has also been known to entice audiences to the dance floor, so make sure you wear your dancing shoes!

The Creekside Live concert series is made possible through partnerships with the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation (GPRF), Strathmore Development Co. and Yuengling. New partners this year include Gahanna Rotary, Funtrail Vehicle Accessories and Lew Griffin Insurance.

Great Columbus Duck Race
August 23, 2014

Join us on Saturday, August 23rd at Creekside to cheer on thousands of rubber ducks as they drop into the Big Walnut Creek and race to the finish line in the 3rd Annual Columbus Duck Race & Run benefiting the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

For just $5, your lucky duck may ride the tide to victory and help you win one of three incredible grand prizes - First prize winner will receive a one-year prepaid lease for a Mini Cooper Convertible courtesy of BMW Financial Services. The Second Prize winner will receive groceries for a year from Kroger and the Third Prize winner will receive $1,000 cash courtesy of Kemba Financial!

The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. with a 5K & 10K for grown-ups and a short fun run for kids. Stick around because we'll be dumping thousands of ducks at 11:30 a.m. The event will also feature fun activities for you and your family! There's something for everyone, and it's all for a fantastic cause.

Rubber ducks may be purchased online or on-site the day of the race. For more information, visit www.columbusduckrace.com.

Event to Benefit Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation

September 20, 2014

Join the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation on Saturday, September 20, 2014, from 6:30-10 p.m. for the Creekside Hops & Vines Fest. Enjoy an evening at Gahanna's Creekside Park tasting local craft beers, an assortment of great wine and gourmet tacos from Local Cantina.

Proceeds from this event will help support programming for Gahanna Parks & Recreation. Click here to purchase your tickets or to obtain more information about the Creekside Hops & Vines Fest.