The City of Columbus Parks and Recreation department has been listening to feedback from the public in the last week regarding plans for updates to Gerrard Park and is now reevaluating how to proceed.
Using funds from existing sales tax, the Parks and Recreation department is aiming to replace the weathered tennis courts at Gerrard Park.
“After the contractor completed the initial layout, it was discovered the new courts couldn’t be constructed over the old courts and that the old courts would need to be removed,” City Public Property Director Doug Moore said. “This offered the City an opportunity to look at other options.”
An online public survey conducted in March indicated people had much interest in repurposing the tennis courts space to also feature room for pickleball and basketball. But after hearing some concerns from the public, the City is now looking at how to maximize the area to get as many tennis courts as possible in that space while also providing other recreation opportunities there, such as pickleball and basketball.
The City Parks and Recreation department is actively working on new potential layouts for space. Once that is done, they will be shared with the public for input.
The City will move the courts west from their current location to open space up between the three north baseball fields and the three south baseball fields for possible future amenities associated with the baseball/softball complex. The old tennis courts will be removed.
“We always appreciate hearing from the community,” Moore said. “We’re excited to move forward with this project.”