Gahanna · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Gahanna public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Senior center nominal-stakes card games ban
Seniors lost their beloved low-stakes card games (euchre, Texas Hold'em) when the senior center moved to the new Civic Center and the city enforced a zero-cash policy. Multiple members testified the ban is hurting attendance, fellowship, and senior wellness, and asked council to refer their proposal to committee. Council agreed to a public update on the legal analysis at the November 23 Committee of the Whole.
Action Sports Park restored to Capital Improvement Plan
Five residents, including a teen with a 254-signature petition, asked council to restore the skate park/action sports park to the 2027-2031 CIP. Council postponed the CIP vote to November 2 and will send the item back to committee to figure out how to add the project back responsibly.
Grant funding for parkland acquisition and development
The city is seeking up to $500,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund money for park projects, with a 50% match owed only if awarded. Staff analyst Sean Bock has $35-45 million in grant applications outstanding across the city.
Johnstown Road trailhead parking lot condition
The deteriorating parking lot at the Stonybrook Church trailhead on Route 62 serves mostly city park users. McGregor asked staff to explore a cross-easement deal with the church, similar to Sunpoint Park.
Pickleball court adequacy
Residents have been asking for more courts. The national standard is one court per 6,000 residents and Gahanna meets it, with four dedicated courts plus marked tennis courts at Hannah Park; trails top the priority list instead.
Academy Park inclusive playground renovation
The city's biggest park project to date — new playground, shelter, trails, and parking — needs professional construction management. Bidding expected by year-end.
Forestry aerial lift purchase
The city wants a tracked lift that reaches ~80 feet so crews can safely remove hazardous trees the old bucket truck can't handle — over $50,000 was spent on outsourcing this year alone.
Gahanna Swimming Pool site assessment
Three firms responded to the RFP for the Southwest aquatic site; staff are evaluating and will pick who to move forward with.
Lustron House Preservation and Museum Proposal
Former Mayor Jim McGregor and Tom Gregory asked the city to back restoring the historic Lustron House as a museum, possibly with an herb garden on the adjacent lot. The Historical Society wants an indication of the city's position before applying for Jefferson Foundation grants due in late September.
Accessibility for mobility device users
Jones raised that e-bike rules and multi-use path design could unintentionally exclude wheelchair and mobility device users; she wants accessibility built into the inclusive-community objective and Creekside design.
Friendship Park playground improvements
The city is replacing the Friendship Park playground with a larger, fully fenced, inclusive design costing just over $860,000. Council authorization is expected July 6; construction could start this fall or slip to spring 2027 due to weather and equipment lead times. The park — a busy one — would close for roughly 12 weeks.
Ashburnham Park playground replacement
Gahanna has 17 playgrounds on an 18–20 year replacement cycle, prioritized through the capital improvement plan with a separate maintenance budget for fixes. Academy Park's two large playgrounds are next in design, and Pizzuro Park's playground will be phased out in favor of dog park investment.
Adopt-a-Park volunteer program
Seven residents have signed up for the new Adopt-a-Park program, and will be background-checked and trained to help with litter cleanup and invasive plant removal in parks like Academy and Gahanna Woods.
$100,000 Arts Council Partnership
The administration wants $100,000 to formally partner with the Gahanna Area Arts Council on programming, grant-seeking and a master arts plan. Council wants the contract details and the council's financials before voting.
Academy Park redevelopment
The park is getting repaved parking with 47 new spaces including EV chargers, a restroom/storage building, and new playground equipment. The commission approved it unanimously, with members calling it years overdue.
School fee waivers for park shelter and facility rentals
With the new high school opening, the school board is considering discounted rental rates for community programs that enrich student learning. A decision was expected at the February 19 board meeting.
Youth & Family camp and program growth
City camps are booming — 1,750 campers last year with record staffing — and summer registration opens soon. A new Behavior Specialist will help support campers with extra needs, and new teen and homeschool programs are coming as the city gains new facility space.
Creekside Live reduced to three dates
The summer event series was cut from six dates to three because attendance kept dropping — the city is redirecting money toward bigger acts that draw bigger crowds.
Senate Bill 361 — eminent domain for trails
Pending state legislation would bar cities from using eminent domain for trails and multi-use paths — something Gahanna is watching closely given its Creekside trail network.