In the Beginning
By 1994, the New Albany community was taking shape as a premier destination in central Ohio. To find a way to meet the recreation needs of a rapidly growing community, New Albany Parks Commission chaired a Focus Group made up of two representatives each from Plain Township, the Village of New Albany, and the NAPL School District in order to determine the feasibility of creating a parks district.
In 1999, the Township, Village, and the School District each appointed one representative to establish a Joint Park District which essentially mirrors the boundaries of the school district. Stan Harris, Keith Karr, and Jon Yarger were appointed as founding Trustees. Officially known as New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District (JPD), in 2008 the JPD began operating as New Albany Parks & Recreation.
New Albany Parks & Recreation began with about 150 children participating in four sports on seven leased fields. Today, more than 3700 participants take advantage annually of the league sports coordinated through NA Parks. The park district boasts three park complexes located on 200 acres and offering 38 baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields.
In addition to playing fields, complexes at Bevelhymer Park and Thompson Park provide seven tennis courts and one basketball court, walking trails, playgrounds, pavilions, and concession stands. The Wexner Community Park, available for family gatherings as well as community events, offers a pavilion with fireplace, warming kitchen, restrooms, and adjacent playground and lawn space.
Through the Years
2002
- Local sports leagues began to grow at a fast rate.
- The New Albany Company donated to the Village of New Albany 55 acres at Bevelhymer for NA Parks to meet increased demand for facilities.
2003
- Moved its office from the schools to an office on Market Street.
- Went to the voters in February 2003 to ask voters to approve a .60 mill bond issue to raise capital funds ($5 Million) to develop the donated land that was needed for more field space.
- Hired a staff member to be the Sports Coordinator to all of our local sports leagues.
- Started construction of the new Thompson Park to add seven athletic fields, five tennis courts, two playgrounds, an open air pavilion, a permanent restroom/concession stand, and walking trails and paths throughout the park.
2004
- Added a staff member to assist residents registering for sports and to perform book keeping.
- Started the development of Thompson Park, an active 40-acre park.
- In November of 2004, the community overwhelmingly passed a bond issue of .72 mill. Funds were used to buy and develop another 55 acres directly next to existing leased 72 acres at Bevelhymer Park.
- Formed an agreement with a local investor to create an indoor tennis facility at no additional tax dollars at Thompson Park, by constructing bubbles over the existing tennis facility.
- Thompson Park was completed and opened for the community to use.
2005
- Purchased 16 acres and received a donation of 39 acres directly next to Bevelhymer Park.
- Design of the new expansion at Bevelhymer was completed and construction began on the new piece of the park.
- Added a new staff member to the team, the parks supervisor.
2006
- Working to complete the new Bevelhymer Park Expansion was the priority for 2006. The project was 90 percent completed in the fall of 2006.
- Began the planning for a new office at Bevelhymer Park.
2007
- With the expansion complete, Bevelhymer Park becomes a 135-acre sports complex. The expansion adds nine athletic fields, four baseball/softball fields, three parking lots, paths and trails throughout the park, a permanent restroom/concession stand, and a pond.
- Construction of the new office, located in the center of Bevelhymer Park, is completed in August.
