For the past 20 years, Propst Park has been much like the weather: Everybody talks about it, but nobody ever does anything about it.
For generations of Columbus residents, Propst Park was a point of pride and a hub of community gatherings.
City leaders have considered various plans for revitalizing the park and while some additions have been made over the years — most notably the addition of a handicap-accessible multi-use ball field and a dog park — further plans would benefit from seeing the park in a new light, taking into account how parks have evolved over time. What brings people to parks today? That has to be a part of any successful plan.
Toward that end, the city is wisely turning to citizens to help develop a plan for a re-imagined Propst Park through an online survey available on the Mayor’s Facebook Page. (Alternatively, you can type this address into your web browser to go directly to the survey: https://bit.ly/3DZ4i1N)
The survey asks respondents to rank a long list of amenities, some that currently exist at the park and others that do not. It also provides respondents an opportunity to submit ideas that may not be included in the survey.
Propst currently has 18 ball fields, a dog park, a skate park, a splash pad and the Field of Dreams (the handicap-accessible ballfield), as well as picnic tables and disc golf. Other ideas, including features that incorporate Lux Creek, and walking trails – even a zipline feature — are listed on the survey.
Odds are, that more ideas will emerge as a result of the survey.
Data shows that youth are less inclined to participate in team sports than in previous generations. So a traditional idea that focuses primarily on baseball/softball fields probably does not reflect the changing landscape of recreation. Nor should the plans focus entirely on youth recreation. The best parks appeal across all age demographics. Today’s recreation is far more diverse than it was 20, 40, 60 years ago. An updated Propst Park should reflect that.
Some ideas will be inexpensive and easy to incorporate. Others will be costly and less practical. The staffing and liability issues associated with a zipline come to mind as one example.
But at this stage, there is nothing wrong with dreaming big and thinking outside the box. In fact, it is encouraged.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how good the facilities are if people don’t use them.
What would bring you to the park? That’s the essential question right now.
Yet city officials can’t know the answer to that question unless you tell them.
We encourage residents to take a few minutes to respond to the survey.
While we can’t do anything about the weather, we can do a great deal about Propst Park.
The survey will be available for another three weeks, so don’t miss out on that opportunity to share your ideas.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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