By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The city of Groveport’s trees and decorations committee is seeking to enhance the city with flags, flowers and local history.
Speaking at the June 13 Groveport City Council meeting, Councilman Ed Dildine said the trees and decorations committee decided to keep the flying American flags from the city’s streetlight poles from Memorial Day to Veterans Day.
“We’re also looking for places to fly our new city flag around town,” said Dildine, who said possible places include the The Links at Groveport golf course, the recreation center, Veterans Park, and other city parks.
Flowers and trees will also play a prominent role in beautifying the city.
“We have 7,600 flowers and seedlings growing in our city greenhouse that will be planted around town,” said Dildine.
He said the city planted four weeping willow trees at Palm Pond and 50 tulip trees in Cruiser Park. Additionally, 100 vibernums are growing in pots to mature before planting, two dogwoods will be planted at the municipal building on Blacklick Street, hostas were planted at the log house in Heritage Park, and some trees were replaced behind Ace Hardware.
“We want to keep our city looking good,” said Dildine.
Dildine said the trees and decorations committee also discussed the possibility of obtaining more Ohio Historical Society (now known as the Ohio History Connection) historical markers to highlight the city’s history.
Currently, there are five Ohio Historical Society historical markers in Groveport. One is at the log house in Heritage Park. Another is located near Groveport Town Hall on Main Street and it denotes the significance of Groveport’s historic downtown area. The third marker, located in front of Middle School Central on Main Street, honors internationally famous horse trainer John S. Rarey and his horse, Cruiser. A marker that recognizes the significance of the Scioto Valley Interurban as well as the Ohio and Erie Canal is located in Blacklick Park at the end of Blacklick Street. The fifth marker is located at Ohio and Erie Canal Lock 22 in Groveport Park.
Dildine said the committee is also looking into having historical facts about the city appear on the city’s electronic digital sign boards.
“We want to make more local history information available to the citizens,” said Dildine.
These efforts are in addition to an already established and ongoing source of Groveport history information that is available to residents – the Groveport Heritage Museum, operated by the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society and located in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St. The museum is open seven days a week during Town Hall’s normal operating hours.
