Big Walnut Trail - Nafzger Park to East Main Street

• Public Meeting: March 12, 2025, 5:30-7:30
• Comment Period: Winter 2025
• Design Updates: Spring – Fall 2025
• Right-of-Way Acquisition: Fall 2026 – Fall 2027
• Utility Relocations: Summer – Fall 2026
• Construction: Fall 2027 – Fall 2028

Location

Southeast Columbus between Refugee Road and East Main Street along Big Walnut Creek and Noe Bixby Road.

Nearby Amenities

Helsel, Nafzger and Big Walnut Parks; surrounding neighborhoods and schools; Far East Community Center, and the LinkUS East Main Street bus rapid transit station planned for 2030.

Regional Connectivity

The trail will connect to the Whitehall extension at Fairway Blvd., continuing its path northward. It is part of the extensive Big Walnut Trail system, which will stretch nearly 26 miles from Hoover Reservoir in the north to Three Creeks Park in the south.

Community Connections

There are 16 schools and 12 neighborhoods within a one-mile radius of the trail, including Blacklick Estates, Walnut Heights and Shady Lane. This makes it possible for more than 50,000 residents to have safe and easy access to one of central Ohio’s most scenic greenway and blueway trails.

Alternative Transportation

With an anticipated 50 percent increase in traffic volume over the next 20 years, this project offers residents a safe, active and clean transportation alternative. This is also a key piece of the city’s Vision Zero strategy to reduce pedestrian and cyclist serious injuries and fatalities on the Columbus transportation network.

Regional Significance

The Big Walnut Trail is becoming a major regional greenway in Central Ohio and advances the central Ohio Greenways goal to provide 500 miles of trails and shared- use paths in central Ohio. Once completed, the trail will span almost 26 miles from Hoover Reservoir to Three Creeks Park.

Health and Economic Benefits

The trail will stimulate local businesses by increasing pedestrian traffic at local retail outlets. This investment will also make travel to jobs, schools and transit by walking, rolling and biking possible, leading to healthier lifestyles.

Community Engagement

Columbus Recreation and Parks is engaging the public to explore how this trail can provide new, safe, all-age access to places that are accessible during park hours.

Trail Extensions

The trail will extend from Nafzger Park northward to Big Walnut Park. A separate project now underway will extend the path south from Nafzger Park to Elk Run Park.

Infrastructure Improvements

The project includes a new 10–12-foot-wide paved greenway trail, curbs, ADA ramps, blueway access, a pedestrian bridge and trail heads.

Environmental

The city is following federal, state and local environmental regulations to minimize wetland, river and tree impacts. Waterway permits are required for the pedestrian crossing over Big Walnut Creek. All stormwater runoff will be handled with required water quality features.

Right-of-Way

Temporary and permanent right-of-way acquisitions are necessary.

Utilities

Utility relocations may be needed to accommodate improvements. Utilities will be moved before major construction begins. The project team will evaluate the best routes within the trail during final design activities to minimize or avoid major property impacts to businesses and residents.

Trail Construction Impacts

The project is expected to have minimal impacts to existing roadways and walkways. All parks and facilities will remain open and traffic maintenance plans will be designed, if necessary.