Columbus Recreation and Parks Department facts for kids
 |
|
 The Jerry Hammond Center, the department headquarters |
|
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 1111 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio |
| Department executives |
|
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department helps manage parks and fun places in Columbus, Ohio. They look after 370 parks, covering about 13,500 acres. That's a lot of green space!
This department also takes care of many other cool spots. They manage 29 community centers where you can play and learn. There are five sports complexes and six golf courses for outdoor fun.
You can also explore 120 miles of trails, perfect for walking or biking. Plus, there are five splash pads and fountains to cool off in summer. They also have eight swimming pools and one indoor aquatic center.
For nature lovers, there are 14 nature preserves and three reservoirs. If you have a furry friend, there are five dog parks. And for skateboarders, there's a skate park too!
How the Parks Department Started
Columbus got its very first park in 1839. This was just five years after Columbus became a city. This park, called Livingston Park, was opened to everyone in 1885.
In 1904, the city created a group of 18 people to oversee the parks. This group was called the park commission. The full department we know today started on July 15, 1910. It was first called the City Recreation Department.
Between 1910 and 1912, five recreation centers opened their doors. In 1972, this department joined with another group. That group was the Division of Forestry and Parks. Together, they formed the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department we have today.
