Columbus Recreation and Parks Receives Top Honors for the Linden Community Center Project
COLUMBUS – Last night,
representatives from Columbus Recreation and Parks Department accepted a first
place Award of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA)
for the Linden Community Center at the association’s annual conference. The
department received the first place award in the Capital Projects: $2.5 million and up
category. OPRA’s annual awards program recognizes organizations throughout Ohio
that embody the vision, dedication and demonstration of excellence in parks and
recreation.
The 55,000 square-foot
state-of-the-art community center in Linden expands access to recreation.
Opened in February 2021, the multi-purpose wellness and activity spaces bring
new life to a cherished Columbus neighborhood. The Linden Community Center is
part of Mayor Ginther’s One Linden plan, a comprehensive strategy to revitalize
and reinvigorate the Linden neighborhood.
“The Linden Community
Center is much more than just a building – it’s part of the fabric of the
community and a gathering place for all people of all ages,” said Mayor Andrew
J. Ginther. “Residents across the city have experienced great disruption over
the last two years, making it more important than ever to have facilities like
this where they can safely engage in positive activities and find critical
resources including access to food, vaccines, social services and more.”
Despite the challenges
associated with COVID-19 and typical weather delays, the center was completed
within its $25 million budget. Since its opening, the center has demonstrated
its value in achieving the goals of the One Linden plan. This has been
accomplish as demonstrated by how many residents have used the center. More
than 50,000 residents have visited, and more than 4,300 residents have
participated in one of 200+ classes, summer camps or events. The center also
connected residents with needed resources including COVID-19 rapid test kits
and food, serving 3,900 summer meals and distributing 970 food packages. During
the holiday season, the center handed out hot meals and distributed toys and
warm weather clothing.
“Columbus Recreation and
Parks is here to be of service to our community, and our programs and services
are designed to improve the quality of life for all residents,” said Bernita A.
Reese, CPRP, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “The
recognition from OPRA reinforces the impact the new center is already bringing
to this cherished neighborhood.”
About the Linden
Community Center: The Linden Community Center includes numerous features,
including Columbus Recreation and Parks’ first-ever elevated walking track, a
fitness room, dance studio, wellness clinic, and a demonstration/teaching
kitchen complete with video recording/streaming capability. Additional
indoor and outdoor features include:
- Full regulation-sized,
spring-loaded gym floor, the first at any Columbus Recreation and Parks
site
- Basketball, tennis, hockey,
pickleball and futsal courts
- Football, baseball and soccer
fields
- Professional-quality music
studio with video and green screen recording capabilities
- Art and ceramics studio
- Multiple computers and a
learning center
- WIC wellness clinic
- IGS solar panels
- Sprayground
- Park amenities including
benches, grills, picnic tables
- Multi-use programming and
community partner spaces
Visit
ColumbusRecParks.com for more information about the center.
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