COLUMBUS, Ohio — As new homes and major companies get built throughout central Ohio, there’s a new trend in many cities to create more green space in highly developed areas.
What You Need To Know
- A new pocket park along Waldeck Avenue has been built in University District near Ohio State to create more green space in a highly developed part of town
- The space has a small path, swings, a hammock and a couple of benches
- Park creators explain why the need for the space has never been so great
They’re calling them “pocket parks,” and their goal is to give people more space to gather.
A new pocket park along Waldeck Avenue has been built in University District near Ohio State to create more green space in a highly developed part of town.
The space has a small path, swings, a hammock and a couple of benches.
Nora Gerber is the executive director of the University District Organization. She was the one who presented the idea to transform the space, which was Trip Porch’s hope all along. He’s the pastor of the church that sits on the property.
“We noticed that this was one of the few green spaces in the area,” Porch said. “I reached out to Nora about planning a park. And Nora was like, ‘Well, I’m actually on my way to a meeting to talk about green spaces in the university districts.’ That initial phone call was like, no way. So, like, how, how could that be so perfectly aligned?”
Gerber said the need for green space has never been so great.
“There’s so much development going up. And green spaces are a high commodity,” she said. “I mean, if you don’t have the space to gather with your neighbors and community members, then how are you going to increase that sense of belonging?”
Gerber said she’s excited to see people enjoying the space.
“It's all definitely rooted in community,” she said. “We hope that you can see it and feel it when you're here.”