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Project Community Park Presents 1,000 Petitions to City Council: Resident-Centered Policy in Action

Written by David Robinson on . Posted in Arts, City Budget, City Council, City Identity, Comprehensive Plan, Household Impact, Local Business, Parks/Greenspace, Public Events, Public Health, public schools, Sustainability, UMCH, Uncategorized, Zoning

A thick stack of 1,000 signed petitions was delivered to City Council last week by the grassroots organization Project Community Park Worthington.  I encourage you to read the testimony, as delivered, of the group’s Co-Chairs (Kacey Brankamp, Andy Hutter, and Scott Taylor), available here:  https://projectcommunityparkworthington.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PCPW-Public-Record-Script-Sept-9-2019.pdf.  Accompanying the petitions was a pin-drop map (above) showing the breadth of support throughout our city for the group’s mission of realizing a resident-centered outcome at UMCH.

A “resident-centered” approach means, first and foremost, listening to the residents—and then acting upon what you hear to serve the residents’ expressed interests.  To foster this approach at UMCH, a sampling of statements from residents supporting Project Community Park was presented to Council as well.  Here are some of my favorites:

“I think this would be a great space for our community. It is in keeping with what Worthington stands for. Keeping the community together, walkable, social and active. It’s just perfect!”  — Cindy Kington

“This would be a wonderful addition to our community which our family would enjoy regularly. This project would continue to attract younger families, making Worthington a primary choice of destinations around Columbus to raise a family.”  — Ryan McChesney

“I love this idea! Worthington NEEDS a community park like this. Coming from Denver, I miss Wash (Washington) Park being a vibrant, safe and gorgeous place to walk, bike or sit. This would be wonderful for our community to bring people together.”  — Michelle Neely

“It is time for Worthington and its leaders to step up and consider this proposal. This is the time to create something that will be unique and make Worthington a community that others will look up to and mimic.”  — Phil Raynes

“Best use of space for long term positive impact on the ENTIRE community of Worthington.”  — Adam Gibson

“Many of us are still reeling in the wake of what was promised and what was delivered in the downtown area in the heart of Old Worthington.  Bolstered by that experience, suffice it to say future proposals by eager developers motivated by monetary gain rather than preserving the spirit of this city will continue to be looked at with a keen eye towards preserving green space, and sad to say with a healthy dose of earned mistrust.”  — Dr. James Smith

“Green-space near high street is desperately needed. For the homes near high street the Olentangy trail is almost a mile away, not a reasonable journey for a 4-6 year old riding their bike, especially in regards to the massive hill they would need to climb on the way back. Additionally, it [UMCH] is located in close proximity to the downtown so that people from either Worthington or other nearby communities would potentially use the public space and then visit our downtown area for lunch, dinner, drinks etc.”  — Ryan Beck

“This would be a prize in the heart of Worthington…many generations from now will thank us.”  — David Gifford

For more statements from your neighbors go to page four here: https://projectcommunityparkworthington.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PCPW-Council-Presentation-Packets-Sept-9-2019.pdf

David Robinson

David Robinson lives in Worthington with his wife, Lorraine, and their three children—two who attend Phoenix Middle School, and one who is a graduate of the Linworth High School Program and Otterbein University. David is President and co-owner of Marcy Adhesives, Inc., a local manufacturing company. David has served on Worthington City Council since January, 2018, and is deeply committed to 1) advancing resident-centered policies, 2) supporting responsible development that enhances our unique historic character, 3) endorsing environmentally sustainable practices for both residents and city operations, 4) promoting the safety and well-being of all residents, and 5) preserving the walkable, tree-filled, distinctive, friendly nature of our neighborhoods.