By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
Groveport is a city with many green parks and the newest one is taking shape in its historic downtown.
The small park, described by city officials as a “pocket park,” is nestled on the northeast corner of Main and Front streets. Work on the park is underway and it is expected to be completed by the end of November.
“This will be a great addition to the community,” said Groveport City Administrator B.J. King. “The cost to build it is about $35,000 – which is money well spent to provide a gathering spot for the community. It’s a space where people can sit together and enjoy the historic downtown.”
The park, which does not yet have a name, features a 28×20 foot concrete patio with three tables with benches. The landscaping includes a sycamore tree, three red buckeye trees, a variety of shrubbery, flowers, and grassy greenspace.
At some point in the future, historical signage will be placed in this park (as well as in a few other locations around town). These historical description signs will include things such as a map, photos, and concise, easy to absorb historical text. The signage will highlight the town’s history as a port on the Ohio and Erie Canal and other historical topics.
With the addition of the pocket park, Groveport now has 20 parks. The city also owns and operates the 18-hole Groveport Municipal Golf Course, located along Richardson Road. In addition, there are two Metro Parks nearby – Three Creeks Metro Park to the north and Walnut Woods Metro Park south of town.
Groveport’s other city parks:
•Community parks: Cruiser Park, 55 acres; Groveport Park, 75 acres; and Heritage Park, 16 acres.
•Neighborhood parks: Blacklick Park, 21 acres; Degenhart Park, 3 acres; Orchard Park, 10 acres; Greenpointe Business Park, 25 acres; Newport Village, 7 acres; Village Green, 3 acres; Hendron Cemetery with open space, 31 acres; Founder’s Bend Park, 5 acres; Founder’s Bend Gateway, 6 acres; Founder’s Bend open space, 32 acres; Bixford Green HOA, 8 acres and 6 acres; Elmont Place Reserves, 11 acres; Hickory Grove, 5 acres, and Homer Ohio Land open space, 15 acres.
•Mini-park: Veterans Park 0.1 acre.
