Explanation
Background:
This legislation will authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to apply for a grant in the amount of $56,856.00 from the Recreational Trails Program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Hayden Falls Boardwalk Project, Phase III. A 20% local match of $14,214 will be required from the City of Columbus. This legislation authorizes the Director to submit a grant application only and does not obligate any City funds.
During Phase I of the Hayden Falls project a staircase was installed to provide a safe and easy route to the bottom of the gorge, as well as a viewing platform and 375 feet of boardwalk to aid in viewing the falls. However, there is a gap of 175 feet between the viewing platform and the stairs that is still rocky terrain. Unfortunately, this gap still allows people to walk and climb in the area of endangered species.
Due to safety issues, endangered species considerations and issues of access to all citizens, the installation of the 175 foot boardwalk connecting the stairs and viewing platform would be added at the park. The six (6) foot wide boardwalk will be raised off the ground to an elevation of 762 feet, just higher than the 10-year flood level. This elevation will make it between two and six feet off the ground. It will also have railings along the sides to discourage people from climbing off the boardwalk. Since the boardwalk is located within a nature preserve, the wood will be non-arsenic and safe from leaching chemicals into the environment. The path of the boardwalk has been selected as it will have the least impact upon the area, with very few trees needing trimmed or cut.
With the completion of Phase I and II of this project, visitation in the park has increased. Although the boardwalk is not complete, parking has become a problem. This phase of the project will also enable us to overlay and stripe the existing parking lot as well as install blocks to designate pa...
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