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Reynoldsburg hears parks master-plan update; residents rank trails, fitness and a recreation center as top priorities
Summary
Consultants told Reynoldsburg City Council on Feb. 26 that a statistically valid survey of 357 respondents and broader engagement identified adult wellness/fitness, a community recreation center, and trails as top park investments; staff said a draft master plan and capital-improvement recommendations are expected to come to council in June 2026.
Reynoldsburg City Council heard a progress report Feb. 26 on the city’s parks master plan from consultants working with OHM and PROS Consulting. The project team said outreach produced about 1,500 engagement contributions and a statistically valid survey with 357 completed responses (margin of error about 5.2%).
“From that, we were able to get 357,” said the project presenter, noting the survey was designed to provide resident-driven priorities. The consultant said the highest-ranked needs were adult wellness and fitness programs, followed by a community recreation center, paved walking and biking trails, and outdoor pools and nature-based park features.
Ashley from OHM, who led the facilities assessment, said most parks and playgrounds are in good condition but recommended adding trail loops, improving wayfinding and access to creekside features, and expanding play equipment for toddlers. “We found that most of your existing structures and landscape is really well maintained and in good condition,” she said, while recommending more low-impact recreation and seating in several parks.
The consultants presented how they calculated priorities: respondents were first asked whether a household had a need for a program, how well needs were met, and how important the program was. Those three inputs were combined into a priority-investment rating; the top rating listed scored 200 on the consultants’ scale.
On programming, the team said demand is outpacing facility and staffing capacity and that senior programming is especially constrained by space. The presenters recommended a capital improvement plan, a funding-and-revenue strategy, and a staff visioning session before drafting recommendations for council review.
Council members asked whether the statistically valid survey remains open. The lead presenter said the mailed and validated survey is closed but that an online survey and QR code remain active through March for additional public input: “We’ll be accepting that all the way through the March,” the presenter said. Council members also asked about the number of focus groups (the consultants estimated five to seven, including staff sessions) and whether the city is comparable in size to communities studied; consultants advised that level-of-service metrics will be tailored to Reynoldsburg’s growth assumptions.
The project team said the full report and cross-tabs will appear in the final master-plan document, including facility assessments and appendices. Staff said they will meet with the city auditor to review existing funding sources and potential alternatives, and aim to bring a draft plan to council in June 2026.
The presentation closed with an invitation to use the project QR code and website to add comments before the March deadline. The council did not take action on the master plan at the Feb. 26 meeting; staff listed follow-up steps and outreach timelines.
