Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding to acquire properties along the Scioto River and Dysart Run, and to provide the necessary match funds. The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund is accepting applications for funding to preserve natural areas and greenway corridors. If awarded funding, a separate piece of legislation will be submitted to enter into a grant agreement and allocate the local match funds.
Background: This grant application would provide funding towards fee simple acquisition of two sites in Columbus, along the Scioto River near Fifth Avenue, and Dysart Run on the city’s far-east side.
Scioto River-Fifth Avenue Preservation
The project will acquire a 1.5 acre parcel along the east bank of the Scioto River, near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Dublin Road, 1 mile south of Griggs Reservoir. The site contains over 680’ of scenic riverbank, woods, floodplain, and upland, and will provide excellent potential future access for the public to the waterway. The 6 mile central segment of the Scioto River, from Griggs Dam to downtown is recognized as one of the city’s most populated, active, and high quality waterways in Central Ohio. This site is one of the few remaining parcels that can be permanently protected along this stretch. Acquiring the site provides substantial water quality benefits, urban forest protection, and future public access.
Dysart Run Protection Project
Dysart Run is located on the city’s far-east side, near Broad Street and Waggoner Road. The stream is a main tributary of Blacklick Creek, and this site is one of the largest remaining forested tracts in the entire Blacklick Creek watershed. The property contains 41.5 acres and is adjacent to a Recreation and Parks natural area along a ravine of Dysart Run, bringing the total protection zone to over 50 acres. The site is listed for sale as potential development land. Acquiring the property pr...
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