The Prairie Township Board of Trustees is open to the idea of partnering with the city of Columbus to obtain grant money for park space.

At the board of trustees Nov. 16 meeting, Maureen Lorenz of Columbus Recreation and Parks said a landowner approached the city about selling property in the vicinity of Galloway and Alkire roads.

Lorenz said the city was interested in the land for park space and proceeded to apply for a grant from the Clean Ohio Fund to purchase the property. The 111 acres, however, sit not in the city of Columbus, but in Prairie Township.

Lorenz said the city applied for funds from Clean Ohio but now it needs the approval of Prairie Township to continue to pursue those funds.

“This piece of land has a lot of density around it and the Camp Chase Railway comes through it,” Lorenz said. “It seemed like a perfect location for a park.”

She said a partnership to obtain the land coincides with what both the township and city want when it comes to the conservation of the Big Darby Creek. Deadline for the grant application was Nov. 22.

“It is recreation where we need it,” Lorenz said. “It makes sense that it should be a joint project.”

Township administrator Tracy Hatmaker said the township’s only concern was the fact that Columbus needs to maintain the commitment to sewer services in Galloway. The proposed use of the land coincides with the township’s comprehensive plan and the Big Darby Accord, Hatmaker said.

“This is a great recreation opportunity,” trustee Steve Kennedy said. “The land stays in the township. It makes sense.”

In other business of the board, trustees approved the creation of a lighting district within the Westpointe subdivision. Residents collected the required signatures that will enable the last portion of the development to receive street lights.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s office also continues to caution residents about motor vehicle break-ins, which are still occurring at businesses between Wilson and West Broad Street.
Deputy Michael Wiener said police almost apprehended the suspects, but they got away.

Both male and female are white and in their early 20s, he said. Most recently, they were seen at Giant Eagle on West Broad Street, stealing license plates off cars.
Wiener urges community residents to be vigilant and call if they see anyone acting in a suspicious fashion.

Those who may have information on the recent vehicle break-ins can call the sheriff’s department at its non-emergency number, 525-3350.