Save the Date!
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department will be hosting a community open house on Wednesday, Sept. 23, to introduce the project and gather public input on the character and design of the trail. Join us from 4:30-7 p.m. at Barnett Community Center, located at 1184 Barnett Road, 43227. We hope to see you there!
East Side Rail Trail
What is the East Side Rail Trail?
The East Side Rail Trail will be a 3-mile linear park and the first greenway trail to be developed in the central east side of Columbus. The trail will run from Broad Street to Bostwick Road along a former rail corridor. The corridor will be transformed to provide more transportation options and park space through the Mideast neighborhoods and will provide increased connectivity for over 17,000 residents.
As the East Side Rail Trail enters the design process, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, GPD Group and Designing Local are collaborating with residents, local business owners and community organizations to create a cohesive vision for the trail.
Funding from the City of Columbus, the Clean Ohio Trail Fund and the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s (COTA) LinkUS program makes the development of the East Side Rail Trail possible.
Stay In the Know
Send any questions and comments to EastSideRailTrail@DesigningLocal.com
The Design Team
To assist with the community engagement, design and engineering of the project, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has hired GPD Group to lead the project. GPD Group has partnered with Designing Local, Advanced Engineering Consultants, CTL Engineering and STONE Environmental. Together, the team brings extensive knowledge of trail planning and is committed to developing a transformative experience in the community.
Project Area
The East Side Rail Trail will span the former rail corridor from East Broad Street to Bostwick Road, near South Livingston Avenue and I-70. The project seeks to create safe and comfortable access to parks, schools, Barnett Community Center, Columbus Metropolitan Public Library’s Barnett branch and COTA’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. The East Side Rail Trail will support neighborhood connectivity, provide increased access to green spaces, and create an inclusive opportunity for residents to easily reach local destinations, transit and one another.
Project Timeline
The East Side Rail Trail is currently in the design phase of development. Community members are welcome to participate in the two public open houses, as well as several community pop-up events that will be happening in the coming months. An online survey will also be available for community members to share their input. Your feedback will help inspire the form and character of the East Side Rail Trail!
Note: The timeline will be updated as the project progresses.
Key Dates
Sept. 23, 2026
We will be having the first public open house for the East Side Rail Trail project on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 4:30-7 p.m. at Barnett Community Center, located at 1184 Barnett Road, Columbus, 43227.