Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

💖 As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Columbus Recreation and Parks stand with those fighting, honor survivors and remember those we've lost. Through the power of recreation, we continue to support wellness, healing, and strength in our community. Together, we uplift each other in the fight for a cure. 🎗️

Are you a resident who is passionate about trees or has a knowledge of urban forestry? The Columbus Tree Subcommission is seeking new members! The Columbus Tree Subcommission is seeking community members with an interest and/or background in trees and urban forestry. This group of nine volunteer members advises the department’s Recreation and Parks Commission, and there are three openings available. The commitment is a five-year term with bimonthly one-hour meetings. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month in January, March, May, July, September and November. Meetings are held at 1533 Alum Industrial Dr. W, and there is a virtual option for those who need it.   To apply, email forestry@columbus.gov with a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in serving. Apply by Oct. 31. Learn more at bit.ly/3M0UzOQ. 

We are thrilled to announce the official grand opening of Warner Woods Park, a community park in the Northeast Columbus area! This park is designed with everyone in mind. It offers various new features, including a rental pavilion, a beautiful nature preserve, an open-air shelter, pickleball courts, ADA-accessible amenities, and much more. Celebrate this new community space with us at our ribbon-cutting ceremony: 📅 Monday, October 28 🕦 11:30 a.m. 📍 Warner Woods Park More on Warner Woods Park: https://bit.ly/3NCzuLd

This weekend, during Volunteer Appreciation Day we gave Cynthia Okafor, a dedicated volunteer for over 20 years, her flowers! She has served the Driving Park community as a volunteer line dance teacher and curated a fun and safe space for residents to enjoy. Volunteers help support the city in creating positive experiences for the community as they enjoy the natural and recreational amenities we offer. Learn how you can become a volunteer: https://bit.ly/3D5styv.

Today we celebrate the rich culture and history of the Indigenous peoples in our communty. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

The VOICE (Violence Outreach, Intervention, Community Engagement) program hosted a Fall Wellness Space at Driving Park Community Center! This service provides vital resources to victims of violent crimes ages 11-40 to help prevent re-injury and jail time and assist with recovery. Learn more about the VOICE program: https://bit.ly/3U5jxB6.

🌟 This week, representatives of our Columbus Recreation and Parks team are in Atlanta, Georgia, for the 2024 National Recreation and Park Association Conference! In addition to attending educational sessions and networking with colleagues and industry experts, some of our team members lead a session, sharing their knowledge with the national parks and recreation community. We’re eager to bring back fresh ideas and innovative strategies to enhance our services for the Columbus community. #WhereYouBelong #NRPAConference2024

We wanted to give a shout-out to our Forestry staff who worked an incredible amount to clear the roads of trees recently in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Thank you for all of your hard work! Interested in joining our Foresty team? We are currently hiring Forestry Technician 1 and trainee positions. Explore the open positions here: https://bit.ly/4gW0dQm.

Last Friday, FCOA joined Columbus Recreation and Parks Department at the Senior Wellness Jamboree! Over 220 came out to Schiller Park to celebrate healthy living as we age. From invigorating two-mile walks to numerous fitness activities like pickleball, archery, and Tai Chi, participants explored fun ways to stay active. Plus, a variety of community resources were available to help seniors stay engaged and connected. 🌿🏸🏹 A huge thank you to everyone involved in the day! 😄

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we welcomed Lisa and Vicente Gutierrez, owners of Dos Hermanos Taco Truck LLC, to speak about their journey of growing a business from one food truck into three brick-and-mortar locations, multiple food trucks and a catering business. Lisa discussed how she utilized her experience in food service to open their own business, and Vicente shared how his Oaxacan roots shaped the culinary direction of the Dos Hermanos the community knows and loves!