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Council names Franklin Park adventure center after Ben Espy, holds family ceremony
Summary
Council adopted a resolution renaming the Franklin Park adventure center the Ben Espy Adaptive Sports Complex; family members and colleagues spoke at the chambers about Espy’s legacy.
Columbus — The Columbus City Council adopted Resolution 0154X-2025 on Monday to rename the Adventure Center at Franklin Park the Ben Espy Adaptive Sports Complex.
Council President Shannon Harden introduced the resolution and invited members of the Espy family to speak. A family representative thanked the council and described Ben and Kathy Espy’s long community service. The family emphasized Ben Espy’s public service record and his example after losing part of a leg in a 1984 accident, saying the renamed facility will honor his resilience and support for people with disabilities.
Why it matters: Council members described the renaming as a recognition of Espy’s decades of public service — as a city council member and state senator — and as a way to celebrate an adaptive-sports center that serves veterans and residents with disabilities.
Council action: The council moved for adoption, the clerk called the roll and council adopted the resolution. City officials said the center remains under renovation and a public ribbon cutting will be scheduled once work is complete.
Ending: The resolution is a formal name change and will be followed by a ribbon-cutting when renovations finish. The action does not appropriate new funds for the facility.
