2026 Fall

Fall Park Project Updates

Northam Park This summer marked a significant milestone for Northam Park with the renovation of its east athletic fields, representing the final phase of the park’s overall improvement plan. The project involved a complete regrading of the fields, along with the installation of a new irrigation system and underdrains to enhance their functionality. Additionally, the baseball diamonds were entirely rebuilt, providing safer and more user-friendly spaces for athletes. Although the renovations primarily targeted athletic uses, the upgrades will also benefit other activities in the park, such as the annual Fourth of July celebration. While construction on the fields has been completed, they will remain closed to scheduled activities for the next year to allow the new turf grass to establish properly. The City eagerly anticipates resuming athletic events on the fields in The upcoming renovation of Fancyburg Park is moving forward following City Council’s approval of the park’s Master Plan in Fall 2025. Over the summer, the City initiated the development of a detailed design for the project, which included a series of public engagement events to gather more specific input from the community. This fall, the consultant Design Team—led by the Edge Group— will incorporate feedback from these engagement sessions and begin developing the necessary drawings and specifications for construction. The design phase is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with on-site work scheduled to commence in Spring 2027. Guided by the vision outlined in the Master Plan, the project will identify priority items to be included in the base scope as well as potential additions and future enhancements. the fall of 2027. Fancyburg Park

Park Bridges In 2022, the City partnered with a consultant to assess all pedestrian bridges located within its parks. Although the evaluation did not reveal any immediate issues, the resulting report recommended replacing the bridges in Miller Park and Smith Nature Park. Acting on these recommendations, the City collaborated with the engineering firm MS Consultants to design new replacement bridges and subsequently contracted Axis Civil Construction to carry out the installations. The replacement work is scheduled for October and November this fall, with the Smith Nature Park bridge work commencing after the annual Golden Bear Scare event hosted by the Upper Arlington Civic Association. The new bridges will feature a corten steel frame paired with durable ipe wood blanks, promising to be wonderful enhancements to the parks. These additions are expected to improve the nature trails and encourage visitors to further explore the area. Bob Crane Community Center Annual Closure This past April marked the one-year anniversary of the Bob Crane Community Center’s operation. From September 8 to 15, the Community Center will undergo its first annual closure, a practice that will be scheduled for early fall each year. The closure provides a dedicated period for maintenance, deep cleaning, and staff training, ensuring the facility is well-prepared for the busy indoor season ahead. Although members may miss visiting the Community Center during this week, this critical downtime helps staff prepare and ultimately enhances the experience for all users.

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