Another step toward making improvements to Pawnee and Gerrard parks was taken this month.
Recently, members of the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation and Engineering departments, as well as other City leaders and an advisory committee, met at both locations to discuss potential ideas with Confluence. The latter is a professional creative firm of landscape architects, urban designers and planners with roots across the country.
“This was an opportunity for Confluence to meet with staff and the advisory committee to gather information on current amenities in the parks,” City Public Property Director Doug Moore said. “It was a very productive meeting; we were able to accomplish a lot of things.”
Nothing was set in stone and no decision was made on how any possible upgrades would be funded, Moore said.
“It’s too early in the discussions to decide on any of that. Confluence will start planning community meetings to gather input from citizens,” Moore said. “We were all in agreement that Memorial Stadium needs to be upgraded. Both parks provide many recreational opportunities which we hope to expand upon.”
This meeting was separate from earlier announced plans to make improvements to the tennis courts at Gerrard Park. Officials are still working on new plans for those, with hopes to also incorporate space for pickleball and basketball.
“This was mostly gathering information, such as the history of the parks, who uses them, etc.,” Moore said.