We believe that the development of Grove City is proceeding at a pace that is not supported by adequate planning and is not addressing quality of life issues for its residents. This development is rapidly devouring our remaining green space - space that can and should be used for recreational activities. Once this space is developed it can not be reclaimed.
Grove City is the fastest growing municipality in Franklin County. By 2010 we are projected to be the largest city in the county other than Columbus itself.
But fast growth itself is not necessarily a desirable goal. We feel that we need more parks � not more parking lots to be filled by more traffic. We want to be the envy of other municipalities, but not just in terms of our size and the number of fast food restaurants and discount stores we can cram onto remaining land.
Grovebrook is one of the last large remaining areas of green space in the city. We view this area as an opportunity to create something of lasting value to the city.
When we refer to Grovebrook we are referring to the 102 acre parcel of land that comprises the former Grovebrook golf course.
Like any growing area Grove City has its share of problems. Some are beyond anyone�s control. Some are not. We have heard from fellow citizens about many of these problems.
We believe that change cannot readily be attained by addressing a litany of issues across a broad spectrum. Rather, it is best to focus on one single issue where a change can be made.
Saving the recreational green space that Grovebrook represents is an urgent issue because decisions on rezoning are imminent. We must act now!
Within our group, there are different visions of what the park can become. We�d like to hear your ideas. What aspects of a new park would meet the needs and desires of your family?
Common suggestions have included walking trails, a jogging/bicycle trail, a youth area with basketball and volleyball courts, picnic spots, perhaps a pond for wildlife and fishing, nature areas and wildlife habitat. Others want a 9 hole public golf course combined with a park., since Grove City no longer has a course open to the public.
Other suggestions include incorporating an office for the City Parks and Rec. department.
But the important question is, what would meet your needs and the needs of your family and loved ones? Please let us know at [email protected]..
Money is certainly an issue, but there are sources.
Our group is working on a funding plan and concepts that will focus on a variety of different sources.
Public monies from outside of Grove City (such as the Clean Ohio Fund) may be available.
The City recently spent $1.4 million on a novelty science park at Fryer Park. Commendable, but our tax dollars should also be spent for open spaces that allow residents to exercise, walk their pets, and meet the recreational needs of families.
Cities have a way of finding money for the items they believe are important. One of our goals is to convince the Administration that maintaining the Grovebrook green space is one of those items.
Other communities have found ways to fund park land. We can too.... together!
Yes � and No.
Certainly land owners should be able to make decisions regarding the use and development of land that they own.
However, the city (through City Council as elected representatives of the people) has both the authority and responsibility to manage the development of the city. City Planning is one of the primary responsibilities of city government. The primary tool city planners use to manage development is zoning.
Land owners must develop land in accordance with the zoning that applies to that land. If they wish to do otherwise they must request a zoning variance. This is the issue we now confront with Grovebrook.
Grovebrook is zoned recreational. Plans exist to develop Grovebrook for non-recreational purposes. City council may soon be asked to vote on the required zoning variance. We believe that the proposed development is not consistent with the needs of Grove City.
True, development of an assisted living facility is proposed for part of Grovebrook. This is the first �increment� in what likely will be a �piecemeal� development of the land.
We certainly do not oppose facilities for senior citizens. However, we do question the loss of the last large green space near the heart of Grove City for any purpose.
Of equal importance, we oppose �piecemeal� development itself. If one drives down Stringtown or Broadway you can readily see the results of such a haphazard approach to city development.
Whatever use is made of Grovebrook we want to see a comprehensive plan approved up front before any zoning changes are made. Perhaps an assisted living facility will fit within such a plan. If not there are other sites within the city where such a facility could be constructed without threatening such a prime recreational area.
While it is possible to rezone only a portion of Grovebrook for the use of an assisted living facility this change will set a precedent that will make further rezoning much more difficult to challenge.
Studies show that the preferable national standard is about 55 acres of parks for every 1,000 residents. By this gauge, Grove City should have 1,750 acres of parkland. We have about 450 acres, but if you subtract out the softball diamonds at Windsor and Fryer parks, and land in a flood plain, we have under 180 acres.
And this figure includes the Big Splash, the science park at Fryer Park and every other acre of city recreational space, even if it�s not a traditional park.
To our knowledge, we have perhaps one off-road bicycle path in Gantz Park. On the south side of town, for example, there�s no place to walk your pet, take a jog, take a walk or a hike, stroll with a friend, roller skate, picnic or even relax without cars whizzing by you. Unless you play softball, there�s very little recreational space period in Grove City. We don�t even have an adult pool open to the public.
A recent article in the Columbus Dispatch addressed this very issue and included a table comparing Ohio suburbs on residents per acre of parkland. While Grove City is near the middle of the pack on this table two adjustments are appropriate: 1) the acreage of parks after removing the 190 acres of unusable flood plain is 252 acres, and 2) the population of Grove City is now at 32,000. These adjustments take our residents per acre to 127 - placing us near the bottom of the list.
But the more salient point is that Grove City is continuing to grow rapidly while available land remains static. Residents per acre will only continue to increase. We don�t want to be at the bottom of this list � or even in the middle. We should aim for the top. We are making decisions now that will impact the character of our city for our children and grandchildren. Let�s get it right while we have the chance.
This leads to an important question we should all be asking the City Administration. What is our goal for residents per acre of parkland and what are our plans to achieve that goal?
Contact Grove City Council and let them know your concerns.
Attend Grove City Council meetings when this issue is addressed. It appears that the first such meeting will be held on Monday, August 21st (you can keep tabs by checking the agenda for Grove City Council meetings).
Join our group. Contact us at [email protected] to get more involved.
Great! Drop us a line at [email protected] and we will do our best to give you an answer.