Year of the Parks
The Year of the Parks is several years in the making, a culmination of park planning, fundraising, dreaming, and saving. And while this project is about parks, green spaces, and natural beauty, really it’s about us... about parks as a canvas to nurture and grow community and to strengthen the connections within and around our neighborhoods. Loosely speaking, 2023 was the officially designated “Year of the Parks,” although some of the projects associated with this initiative will continue through 2026. Whatever their timeline, we're excited to see these project progress, and so grateful for the support of the Bexley Community Foundation and the State of Ohio Capital Fund, without whom this initiative would never be possible.
Current Construction Updates: Schneider Park
Last Updated: June 2026
Construction of the new skate park at Schneider Park is complete! Now open, the skate park will be monitored by security cameras and will operate during strictly enforced dawn-to-dusk hours.
Work is also nearing completion on the new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Alum Creek that will connect the Schneider Park trail to the Alum Creek Greenway multi-purpose path. The bridge is currently anticipated to be completed by the end of September (weather permitting) with site restoration and landscaping to follow.
During construction, access to some northern areas of Schneider Park will be temporarily limited, including the Astor Avenue parking area and nearby asphalt walking paths. The Astor Avenue lot will be used throughout the project for construction access and staging. View a construction map here for more details.
Thank you for your patience as these projects progress! We can't wait to share the final results with you later this year!
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Enhancements to Schneider Park
Schneider Park Splash Pad
Designer(s): Penchura
Push-button splash pad, located between the Schneider Shelterhouse, playground, and community gardens.
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETED
Natural Dog Park
Designer(s): Spruce Designs
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETED
Pedestrian/Bike Bridge at Astor
Designer(s): GPD Group
The pedestrian and bike Bridge at Astor, located in Schneider Park, connects the City of Bexley to the City of Columbus and the Central Ohio Greenway Alum Creek Trail
Est. Date of Completion
Late Summer 2026
Skate Park
Designer and Builder: Hunger Skateparks
The much-anticipated skate (and bike) park at Schneider Park is nearing completion
Est. Date of Completion
Late Spring 2026
Enhancements to Commonwealth Park
Commonwealth Athletic Fields
Designer(s): Field Source Ohio, Brian Kent Jones - Architect
Rehabilitated athletic fields with new soil, turf, and irrigation.
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETED
Commonwealth Connector
Designer(s): Brian Kent Jones - Architect, Final Design Complete, Construction Underway
Transformed Columbia Avenue connection between Commonwealth East and West, with brick and cobblestone street surface, medians, recessed parking, pedestrian shelf, bookended with plazas and pergolas.
Date of Completion
Late 2026
Commonwealth Gateway Features
Designer(s): Brian Kent Jones - Architect, Brian Marczich
Columns and gateway structures on the south side of the park, bookending Columbia Drive. The west feature will house mechanicals, while the east feature will house a public restroom.
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETE
Commonwealth Pond & Arboretum
Designer(s): Spruce Designs, Brian Kent Jones - Architect
Arboretum walk with signature tree species, lush landscaping, an interactive pond, and natural path. Located on the west side of Commonwealth Park.
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETE
Main Street Streetscape
"Trail of Parks"
Schneider Main Trailhead
Designer(s): MKSK, Spruce Designs, Final Design Pending
Trailhead and sitting area at Main Street for the Schneider Park natural trail. At Main and the creek, the trailhead features bluestone paver walkway, a sitting area, and a signature willow tree. Phase II included entryway columns with lighting and a creek overlook potentially comings soon (pending funding).
Date of Completion
SUBSTAINTIALLY COMPLETE
D.G.B. Kindness Park
Designer(s): MKSK and Spruce Designs
The Denise G. Blank (DGB) Kindness Park is a pocket park located to the west of the Drexel Theatre. The park features bench seating, a small fountain, and a repository for kindness rocks and kindness messaging on the public chalkboard.
Date of Completion
PROJECT COMPLETED
Outdoor Reading Park at BPL
Designer(s): MKSK, Spruce Designs, Final Design Complete, Construction Underway
A park years in the planning, this outdoor reading room will bridge the space between the Bexley Public Library and Torat Emet Synagogue, serving as an outdoor reading room and gathering space, with space for seating, small programs, and a water feature.
While this project is about parks, green spaces, and natural beauty, really it’s about us... about parks as a canvas to nurture and grow community and to strengthen the connections within and around our neighborhoods.
– Mayor Ben Kessler
YEAR OF THE PARKS: At a Glance
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Explore the Bexley Arboretum
In 2013, Bexley, Ohio earned its designation as a municipal Arboretum, the first in the country!
View the Full Presentation
To view an overview of every proposed project within Year of the Parks, please click here. Additional details will be added to this page as they're available! Please note that all of the listed completion dates are subject to change. Projects not highlighted above include the Schneider and Astor Pedestrian Bridge, Bexley Natural Dog Park, Havenwood Park Refresh, and pending active space designs for youth.