Building for the Future
10-Year Vision Plan
Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. As our city grows, so must our commitment to ensuring every resident — in every neighborhood — has access to safe, welcoming, high-quality parks, programs, and public spaces.
Columbus Recreation and Parks is using a strategic approach to ensure we’re prepared for that growth. The Playbook Columbus Vision Plan (2026–2036) establishes a bold 10-year roadmap for recreation and parks. The three-year strategic plan (2026–2028) represents the first phase of implementation by focusing on high-impact investments, measurable outcomes, and equitable growth — advancing our mission: To connect the people of our community through the power of nature, wellness and creativity.
Playbook Columbus builds on the progress made as outlined in the 2014 Master Plan and the Mission Forward, 5-year Strategic Plan (2020-2025). These plans set the course for improvements and advancements for the department by updating priorities, identifying needed improvements, and assessing planning and operations to ensure that the department fulfilled its mission to enrich the lives of our citizens.
More than a planning document, Playbook Columbus sets the course for ensuring every neighborhood has access to high-quality parks, progms and spaces — today and for generations to come.
Playbook Columbus: 10-Year Vision Plan
Playbook Columbus is a bold, community-driven 10-year vision for the future of parks and recreation. The plan was shaped through extensive resident engagement, data analysis and systemwide assessment to ensure it reflects the needs of a growing and changing city. How we respond to that growth in the next ten years will shape the foundation for the next century in Columbus.
Through surveys, workshops and targeted outreach, residents identified what matters most: safe spaces, stronger connections to nature and water, improved trails, welcoming parks and facilities, and programs that reflect the diversity of Columbus. The planning process also prioritized equity and environmental benefit, directing future investment to neighborhoods where recreation and park access can have the greatest impact.
Playbook Columbus establishes six clear goals to guide investment over the next decade:
- Nurture an active and healthy community.
- Prioritize the environment and bring nature into focus.
- Create welcoming parks and facilities that anchor neighborhoods.
- Celebrate Columbus’ culture and diversity.
- Build a world-class network of greenway and blueway trails.
- Prepare for growth through innovative operations and maintenance.
To bring these goals to life, the plan identifies five “Big Moves,” bold, catalytic strategies focused on aquatics and water access, conservation and stewardship, high-quality and distinctive parks, interconnected trails and greenways, and modern, accessible community facilities.
With nearly 300 action steps, Playbook Columbus is built for implementation. It provides a clear roadmap for delivering early wins while guiding long-term investments in partnership with residents, community organizations and City leaders.
3-Year Strategic Plan: 2026-2028
Over the next three years, Columbus Recreation and Parks will prioritize:
- Expanding equitable access to parks, trails, and programs
- Improving the quality and safety of existing facilities
- Strengthening youth development and wellness outcomes
- Advancing environmental sustainability and resilience
- Modernizing operations for transparency and long-term sustainability
The 10-year vision plan was adopted in February 2026. The complementing strategic plan, including annual section playbooks, are currently under development and will be completed and posted by April 30.
2020-2025 Mission Forward Strategic Plan
From 2020–2025, Columbus Recreation and Parks advanced its Mission Forward Strategic Plan across five priority areas, completing the work outlined in the 2014 Master Plan. Read the 2020-2025 Mission Forward Strategic Plan.
Below are highlights of accomplishments over the last five years. These accomplishments reflect measurable progress, expanded access and lasting community impact.
Smart Growth: Expanding Access Where it Matters Most
Strategic investments expanded recreation access in high-need areas and strengthened neighborhood infrastructure Citywide.
Key Results
- Acquired key properties, including the Douglas School site and land for the Linden Green Line, positioning underserved neighborhoods for long-term investment.
- Developed and redeveloped major parks, including Kilbourne Run Sports Park, Warner Woods Park and Dodge and Tuttle skate parks, while replacing 70 playgrounds to modernize neighborhood amenities.
- Opened new and rebuilt community anchors, including the Fran Ryan Center and Linden Community Center.
- Completed the 20-year Aquatics Capital Improvement Plan to guide long-term investments in our aquatics programs and facilities. Access to programs and amenities is critical to ensuring residents learn life-saving swimming skills.
Sustainability: Protecting the Environment and Reducing Long-Term Costs
Reduced energy consumption, expanded the tree canopy and strengthened environmental stewardship for future generations, critical steps as the City prepares for unprecedented growth.
Key Results
- Increased nature preserves by 25 percent and updated City Code to protect ecologically significant land.
- Developed the Urban Forestry Master Plan and planted nearly 33,000 trees (2015–2024), including 2,400 in a pilot reforestation project at Stockbridge Park.
- Achieved a 17 percent energy reduction at 22 facilities through HVAC upgrades.
- Updated the Public Tree Code to strengthen protections for public trees; the code is among the strongest in the country.
Excellence in Programming and Service Delivery: Delivering High-Quality, Inclusive Experiences
Expanded equitable access to safe, high-quality programs.
Key Results
- Rebuilt Glenwood and Windsor pools, began construction on Marion Franklin Pool and opened the Linden sprayground to improve access to quality aquatics facilities.
- Chartered a USA Swim Club to make competitive swimming more accessible to youth.
- Increased lifeguard pay to $20/hour to stabilize staffing and protect safety.
- Received NRPA’s First Place Innovation Award for the VOICE program, earning the department national recognition; this innovative program provides support for victims of violent crime, and has a 100 percent success rate in preventing revictimization and incarceration.
- Served more than 200,000 meals each summer to support youth nutrition in the critical months while school is not in session.
- Launched the annual Girls Empowerment Day to foster confidence and connection among girls ages 8-18.
- Upgraded the Espy Adaptive Sports Complex to increase access and dignity for individuals with disabilities.
Organizational Development: Building a Stronger, More Resilient Department
Strengthened operational excellence, revenue stability and national credibility.
Key Results
- Achieved the department’s first CAPRA accreditation, a distinction held by only a small percentage of park and recreation agencies nationwide.
- Established the Conservation section to align cross-functional expertise and deepen environmental focus.
- Increased golf rounds by 52 percent—more than double the national growth rate—generating revenue that supports affordable programs citywide.
Communications: Strengthening Connection and Community Pride
Increased community engagement, cultural visibility and economic activity while reinforcing recreation as essential civic infrastructure.
Key Results
- Relocated the Golden Hobby Gift Shop to the Fran Ryan Center, doubling consigners and revenue.
- Offered high quality arts programs and instruction at The Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, which was named the No. 1 cultural institution by Columbus Underground readers in 2025.
- Hosted citywide pop-up concerts and celebrated 40 years of Jazz & Rib Fest, enabling residents to see Grammy Award-winning artists at no cost, and offers local artists opportunities to perform in front of 250,000 people.
- Hosted Major League Soccer’s All-Star Game and Celebration in 2024, elevating Columbus nationally.