Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to apply for grant funding to acquire properties along three watercourses--Hayden Run, Big Walnut Creek, and Blacklick Creek; 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 three sites in Columbus, along Hayden Run in the far northwest, Big Walnut Creek on the far-east side, and Blacklick Creek on the city’s southeast side.
Blacklick Creek-Brice Road Parklands
Blacklick Creek and its tributaries is one of the region’s most important waterways. The purpose of the project is to acquire a significant 28.5 acre tract of natural area along Brice Road, adjacent to the Blacklick Creek Greenway. The proposed property is family owned, and is listed for sale as development land. Acquiring the land provides significant long term preservation for water quality, forest preservation, and protection of habitat. The site is easily accessible, with an estimated 2,700 people living within a 10 minute walk. The natural terrain of site is upland meadow, planted in tall grass prairie, with over 0.25 mile of tributary, approximately 1 acre of wetland, and an average of 100’ width of forested buffer along the stream.
Big Walnut-West Broad Street Preserve
Big Walnut Creek is considered one of the highest water quality major water courses in Central Ohio. For several years, the central section of the stream has been a focus of Recreation and Parks to acquire and preserve valuable riparian corridor. The purpose of the project is to acquire a significant 36.4 acre tract of natural land along the east bank of Big Walnut Creek on the south si...
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