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Parks department announces retirements, promotions and sold-out summer camps; Tech Drive ribbon cutting postponed
Summary
The department reported several staff changes — including the retirement of long-serving foreman Jim Ferguson and hires to replace administrative and programming positions — said summer camps are sold out and stated the previously planned Tech Drive ribbon cutting has been postponed; Price Road construction and volunteer BioBlitz outreach were also discussed.
The Gahanna parks director reported a series of staffing changes and program updates at the meeting, including retirements, promotions, and full enrollment for summer camps.
Longtime parks foreman Jim Ferguson has retired, the director said, and Maintenance Worker III had been promoted into that role on an interim basis; Travis Smith is the named new parks foreman. Administrative assistant Ellen Ore will retire at the end of May and Joel Schik, who has more than 10 years of parks-and-recreation experience, has been hired to replace her. Zoe Zessing has filled the vacancy in senior and adult programming, and Nicole Butler is leaving for a position closer to home; staff invited the board and public to her farewell at the Academy Park bike rodeo on Saturday (9 a.m.–11 a.m.).
The director also reported strong seasonal hiring and a high return rate for aquatics and camp staff. "Our camps are sold out," the director said; staff noted that the department will evaluate whether the improved staffing levels allow expansion of programming to reduce wait lists while still maintaining required staff-to-child ratios.
Project and events updates included a postponed ribbon-cutting for the planned Tech Drive move (previously tentatively scheduled for April 25) with no new date set, and an update on Price Road construction (east-side parking poured, drywall installed) with an offer to schedule member tours. Staff highlighted Val, the project administrator, as the day-to-day contact overseeing construction progress.
On outreach and programming, staff encouraged participation in the ENRICH BioBlitz trainings at Gahanna Woods and noted the Explore Guide contains schedule and registration details. The Veterans Memorial Committee reported that Matt McGregor was elected chair, Ellen Murphy vice chair, and Beth Johnson, executive director of Honor Flight in Columbus, is scheduled to give the principal address; the program is roughly two-thirds complete.
The meeting concluded after these reports and the earlier vote on the GMAC waiver.
