Cross Creek Park

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9-23-18 Update

JUST SENT THE 6-PAGE LETTER TO HILLIARD CITY COUNCIL, HILLIARD SCHOOL BOARD AND DR. MARSCHHAUSEN FROM OUR CCVCA.
(link in side button)

Hilliard School Board Policy (links in side buttons)

School-Community Relations Goals
"The Board serves as both the voice of the community speaking to the schools and the voice of the schools speaking to the community."
https://www.hilliardschools.org/board/policy/KA_School_Community_Relations_Goals.pdf

Community Involvement in Decision Making
"The Board gives consideration to the advice it receives from individuals and community groups."
https://www.hilliardschools.org/board/policy/KC_AlsoABA_Community_Involvement_in_Decision_Making.pdf

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9-20-18 Update

Geoff Moeckel Suggests More Park Ideas (links in side buttons)

A great way to utilize the land in front of Hilliard Crossing would be to plant trees lining the park and make an obstacle course for children to exercise and play. Examples of this, would be, Glacier Ridge in Dublin, and Woodside Green Park in Gahanna.

https://www.10tv.com/article/gahanna-girl-scout-troop-helps-build-nature-park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMENS78BTKs

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9-20-18 Update

Cross Creek Park Development on the Agenda

This post is to provide access to public documents, in order to inform area residents of the proposed commercial development at Cross Creek Park. More info can be found at cross-creek-village.org under the Cross Creek Park tab.

UPDATE: legislation to permit the City of Hilliard to rezone the parcel and allow the Hilliard Development Corporation to market it is online for the Economic Development department's agenda on the Hilliard City Council agenda for this Monday night: http://hilliardoh.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx…

1 WRITE EMAILS TODAY
Hilliard City Council Members – https://hilliardohio.gov/city-council/
Hilliard School Board Members / Dr. John Marschhausen –
https://www.hilliardschools.org/school-board/boardmembers/
https://www.hilliardschools.org/district/directory/

2 ATTEND AND SPEAK (three minutes per person)
Hilliard City Council Meeting, Monday, September 24
6:30 – Economic and Entrepreneurial Development
7:00 – City Council

3 New Director of Recreation and Parks for City of Hilliard
https://hilliardohio.gov/city-announces-appointment-of-rec…/
Mr. Edgar Merritt is the New Director. His start date was September 4, 2018.
In that time, and referring to Cross Creek Park, “the City’s Director of Recreation and Parks has determined that a portion of the Hilliard Rome Property, approximately 6.61 ±acres, as depicted on Exhibit “B”, attached hereto and incorporated herein, is surplus to the City’s immediate needs as the Recreation and Parks Department operates other parks and open green-space areas to service the City’s resident.” Per the above Resolution 18-R-92, Whereas (3).

4 Cross Creek Park is listed as #7 of Hilliard’s top ten parks and public spaces
2011 Hilliard Comprehensive Plan, https://hilliardohio.gov/comprehensive-plan/
Parks and Public Spaces section:
https://hilliardohio.gov/…/uploa…/2018/05/hcp_ch7_200dpi.pdf

Page 141:
4. Identify Top 10 Public Spaces Results of the public meetings and park survey were reviewed with the Task Force. The Committee then developed a list of the top ten public spaces for the city to focus their attention on over the next ten years. The top ten parks and public spaces include:
• Municipal Park;
• The Heritage Rail Trail, and its proposed extension;
• Weaver Park;
• The Library, J.W. Reason Elementary, and Hamilton Park area;
• Old Hilliard;
• The East Pool and Park;
• Cross Creek Park;
• St. Brendan’s Park;
• The Hayden Run corridor; and
• The Big Darby area.

Page 143: Objective 10: Support the development of the remaining top ten public spaces
These remaining spaces include the Library, J.W. Reason Elementary, and Hamilton Park area; Cross Creek Park; St. Brendan’s Park; the Hayden Run corridor; and the Big Darby Focus Area. Conceptual recommendations for these spaces were provided by the Parks and Public Spaces Task Force.

Page 162: Cross Creek Park
This park was selected because of its visibility, large open areas making it ideal for programming events, and its access to existing neighborhoods. As a result of the walk audit, the project team and Task Force noted lack of activity and amenities in the park as elements that need to be improved. Recommendations for the park include:
• Provide additional parking areas along the access drive
• Provide some recreational amenities to attract people into the park (e.g. walking/jogging path around the perimeter)
• Provide shaded seating areas
• Provide pedestrian crossing on Main Street to connect the park to residential and commercial on the west side of the road
• Plant additional trees along the perimeter to provide additional shade

5 Other interesting websites
Everyone Deserves a Park
https://www.tpl.org/10minutewalk…

Are Greenspaces Good?
https://www.epa.gov/science…/are-greenspaces-good-your-heart

Jessica shared, Outdoor Classroom Ideas, Hilliard Crossing already is utilizing a small version
https://natureexplore.org/

Parks Kids Love, Why not explore fun and fantastic park destination ideas?
https://indywithkids.com/10-favorite-indy-area-parks-for-k…/

7 Awesome Columbus Area Playgrounds
https://www.columbusnavigator.com/best-columbus-playgrounds/

How cool would it be to create a destination park. Cross Creek Park could host a winding walking path, with points of interest along the way… outdoor classroom, hopscotch, balance beam, tire swing, rocks to climb, whimsical mushroom seats, seating area, unique deer bike rack, Hilliard train and nature inspired stops that encourage creativity, exercise, family time and well being. Add trees and tables, maybe an open shelter… what fun!

[email protected] Celebrating Community!
[email protected] 614.209.9688
Thank you Kelley, Sharon and Jessica, for assisting with this data and the links.
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9-17-18 Email sent / posted on Cross Creek Village Facebook and Nextdoor

Proposed Commercial Development at Cross Creek Park
 
This is an informational post. On Monday, September 10, this topic was officially on the Hilliard School Board Agenda.

The attached map of proposed Commercial Development includes three Medical Buildings and Parking on the current Cross Creek Park green space in front of Hilliard Crossing Elementary at 3340 Hilliard Rome Road.

While City of Hilliard Economic Development has indicated this plan is only conceptual and has not yet officially gone to Zoning or Hilliard City Council, there are plans being discussed.

"No matter the industry, developing in Hilliard promises strong economic value, a rich work life balance and — most of all — an excellent place to call home.”          https://hilliardohio.gov/economic-development/

There is an urgency to raise your questions and concerns. Please reach out to Hilliard City Council Members via email and attend their next meeting on Monday, September 24. Ask if other land would be better suited for this development.          https://hilliardohio.gov/city-council/

Also reach out to Hilliard School Board Members, voice your concerns, and ask them if this is really the best solution for the safety of students, parents and teachers at Hilliard Crossing Elementary. Is this the only way to add a light and a bus lane, to help alleviate some of the heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic during drop off and pick up times?          https://www.hilliardschools.org/school-board/boardmembers/

The sale of this parkland will likely go to support green space in another area of Hilliard, away from walking distance to 1,000s of residents in this area. Is it worth the tax income from the development to sacrifice green space that connects neighbors and neighborhoods?

The Cross Creek Village Civic Association would like to see this Cross Creek Park green space remain as such, as it was originally intended by the City of Columbus, Qualstan Homes and the City of Hilliard. Check out more info at cross-creek-village.org under the Cross Creek Park tab.          http://www.cross-creek-village.org/cross-creek-park.html

If it is your hope too, email your concerns TODAY, asking the City of Hilliard to keep this parkland that Hilliard can be proud of and that truly will "keep this an excellent place to call home," This matters! Please share this with others who may not have seen this posting.

Debi Hampton, President, Cross Creek Village Civic Association (Cross Creek Village, a 1,004 home Qualstan subdivision, adjacent to Cross Creek Park and Hilliard Crossing Elementary)
[email protected]          Celebrating Community!
[email protected]          614.209.9688      
 
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9-10-18 Email sent / posted on Cross Creek Village Facebook

Hilliard School Board Meeting Agenda
September 10, 2018 – 6:30
JW Reason Elementary School
"Cross Creek Park" is on the Agenda under Superintendent's Report.
https://www.hilliardschools.org/wp-content/uploads/AG_REG_9-10-18.pdf

cross-creek-village.org, Cross Creek Park tab
Check the Cross Creek Village Civic Association website for additional uploaded information:

https://hilliardohio.gov/master-parks-plan/

–  City of Hilliard Parks Master Plan
https://hilliardohio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/final-parks-and-public-spaces-master-plan-documentb169ed43437266e085d7ff0000d7d180.pdf
Page 7 indicates, "Hilliard needs to retain their present open space and natural areas. Few of Hilliard's parks are used due to the absence of parking and/or path connections. Better designed and updated playgrounds are needed." Reference to Cross Creek Park amenities on page 14: classification "D" = sports complex; football, lacrosse, soccer, grills and picnic tables. It is also mentioned on page 49: "Multipurpose Site Development: It is recommended all park sites be developed for more than a singular use. Crosscreek Park currently is developed for cricket only. Where possible, multipurpose activities are encouraged to be developed in all park sites." Noted as "football, lacrosse, soccer" on one page and later "cricket only" on another. Page 50 shows the Level of Park Service and the lack of parks in our area.

–  Park Maintenance Report
https://hilliardohio.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/maintenance-report-final.pdf
Page 4:  "Crosscreek Park appears open and underutilized. However, it is host to the City's cricket games.  Soccer practice areas and opportunities for expanded activities and game observation should be considered for this site." Page 13 indicates Crosscreek Park is included within the Mode II Level, with a High Level of Maintenance, indicating a "highly used facility." Page 15 (Assets Inventory):  Soccer Field 1, Cricket Pitch 1, Blue Recycling Bin 1, Aluminum Bleachers 1, Blue Plastic Trash Cans 2.

Let's keep this conversation going in looking for a positive solution and speaking our voices in a respectful, emphatic union.

We ultimately would like to see Cross Creek Park remain in its original intent, as a park, and to be further developed as such as has been indicated has been done within these City of Hilliard documents.

Debi Hampton, CCVCA President
[email protected]
[email protected]
614.209.9688

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8-31-18 Email sent / posted on Cross Creek Village Facebook

1  Proposed Commercial Development at Cross Creek Park
      On Monday, August 27, 2018, at the Hilliard School Board Meeting, the attached map of proposed Commercial Development (view link to the right), including three Medical Buildings and Parking on the current Cross Creek Park green space, was discussed.
      City of Hilliard Development has indicated this plan is only conceptual and has not yet officially gone to Hilliard City Council. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Hilliard School Board and Hilliard City Council Members.
https://www.hilliardschools.org/school-board/boardmembers/
https://hilliardohio.gov/city-council/
The Cross Creek Village Civic Association would like to see this Cross Creek Park green space remain as such, for many reasons. If you are so inclined, please copy our CCVCA email at [email protected] when sending correspondence. Please attend our September 6, 2018 CCVCA Annual Meeting (see below) for more information.

2  Thursday, September 6 is our CCVCA Annual Meeting, 6:30-7:30, in the Art Room at Hilliard Crossing Elementary. 2018-2019 Officers will be voted in. If you would like to nominate an Officer, please reply to this email with their name and contact info. Paid Members have voting privileges. Kids and Non-Members are also welcome to attend.
      Now is the time to JOIN or RENEW your Civic Association Membership. Come join the FUN, as we work to keep Cross Creek Village a GREAT place to call HOME! See our website for more information at cross-creek-village.org. Hope to see you there!

Current Cross Creek Village Civic Association (CCVCA) Officers:
Come join us in Celebrating Community!
Debi Hampton, President
      [email protected]
      614.209.9688
Chris Zarnosky, Vice President
Bob Sorley, Treasurer
Joyce Reichle, Secretary
RESOURCES
The 1988 and 1991 Deed Documents below were found on the Franklin County Recorder's website. There may be more information out there. The website is challenging to navigate. We have asked the City of Columbus for assistance and are waiting word back.