200 South Hamilton Road  
Gahanna, Ohio 43230  
City of Gahanna  
Action Summary  
Parks & Recreation Board  
Jan Ross, Chair  
Eric Miller, Vice Chair  
Ken Shepherd, Secretary  
Chrissy Kaminski  
Harvey McCleskey  
Kevin McGinn  
Donna Simmons  
Nichole Butler, Clerk  
Wednesday, April 16, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Gahanna City Hall, Council Chambers  
A.  
B.  
C.  
CALL MEETING TO ORDER  
Vice Chair, Eric Miller Called the April 16, 2025 meeting to order at 7:02  
PM. The agenda was published on April 11, 2025  
ROLL CALL  
Staff in Attendance: Stephania Ferrell, Director of Parks and Recreation;  
Nichole Butler, Clerk  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
PR25- Board Minutes 3.19.25  
Attachments:  
PR- Board Minutes 03.19.25.pdf  
A motion was made by Shepherd, seconded by Simmons, that the Minutes be  
Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:  
D.  
ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA  
Director Ferrell requested a fee waiver for Gahanna Middle School East  
be added to the agenda under new business.  
E.  
F.  
G.  
H.  
HEARING OF VISITORS  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS  
NEW BUSINESS  
Lincoln ES GMAC - Fee waiver  
Butler presented the fee waiver request from Lincoln Elementary for use  
of the Gahanna Mobile Activities Center (GMAC) on Monday May 19,  
2025 for their 5th grade end of year celebration.  
PR25- Lincoln ES GMAC fee waiver request  
Attachments:  
PR25- Lincoln ES GMAC fee waiver request.pdf  
A motion was made by McCleskey, seconded by Simmons, to approve a full  
fee waiver for use of the GMAC by Lincoln Elementary School. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
GMSE Fee Waiver- GMAC  
Butler presented the fee waiver request from Gahanna Middle School  
East for use of the Gahanna Mobile Activities Center (GMAC) on  
Tuesday May 6, 2025 for their 8th Graders that cannot attend the class  
trip to Washington D.C.  
PR-25 GMSE GMAC Fee Waiver  
Attachments:  
PR-25 GMSE GMAC Fee Waiver Request .pdf  
A motion was made by Kaminski, seconded by Simmons to approve a full fee  
waiver for use of the GMAC by Gahanna Middle School East. The motion  
carried the following vote:  
I.  
DIRECTOR'S REPORT  
Miller stated he liked the new format of the Directors report. Director  
Ferrell stated that the new format presents visual representation of things  
going on in the department, with the intent to continue to share  
information and metrics. Ferrell stated that the new format will allow for  
sharing of qualitative as well as quantitative data. Ferrell praised Nichole  
Butler for her efforts in developing and formatting the report.  
Ferrell highlighted the nine (9) locations for the Automated External  
Defibrillator (AED) devices are listed in the report. Ferrell stated that the  
new senior van was put into use officially on a senior outing to the  
Franklin Park Conservatory. Ferrell stated that this 15 passenger van is  
an upgrade to our previous vehicle and allows for easier access and  
larger headspace. Ferrell noted they received a lot of positive feedback  
regarding the new vehicle and ease of use. Ferrell stated to date, there  
are 289 aquatic memberships sold for 2025. Ferrell stated that Chris  
Simmons identified that in comparison to 2024, there have been 98  
additional passes than last year at this time. Ferrell commended the  
marketing team with the City of Gahanna for a great job on marketing  
programs, events, memberships and the overall department.  
Ferrell noted that the Eggs-hilarating Egg Hunt took place last weekend  
April 12 at Hannah Park.  
Miller asked if the senior vehicle was wheelchair accessible. Ferrell  
stated the vehicle is not wheelchair accessible however provides better  
access than the previous vehicles. Simmons noted that she has ridden in  
the vans before and that they were difficult to enter. Ferrell stated that a  
second vehicle is also ordered to replace another 15 passenger van.  
McCleskey asked if the AED devices were set on posts at the parks.  
Ferrell stated that depending on the park, they are in visible locations  
either mounted to a shelter house or somewhere accessible. Ferrell  
stated that the AED devices are housed in a case that once opened,  
activates the use. McCleskey stated that he previously volunteered for  
Gahanna Junior League Sports and they had a training with coaches and  
is concerned that if the coaches don’t have training on the AED use that  
they may not be able to use them correctly. Ferrell stated the department  
shares that concern, and with the support of the Gahanna Parks and  
Recreation Foundation, the department is able to offer certification, at no  
cost, for up to 20 individuals per affiliate organization.  
McCleskey asked if there were concerns about misuse or vandalism to  
these devices. Ferrell stated that there have already been some  
incidents to that nature and the department is investigating how best to  
manage and prevent these types of issues.  
Kaminski was impressed on summer camp enrollment being completely  
full, and the information that 58% of camp staff from 2024. Ferrell stated  
to date, the departments seasonal staff positions are mostly full with over  
200 seasonals being on-boarded.  
Kaminski asked when the board might see the Aquatics Master Plan.  
Ferrell stated that the department received the draft report. Ferrell stated  
the P&R staff will meet with Brandstetter Carrol on April 25th to go over  
the draft report and allow them to come up with a timeline for finalization.  
Ferrell stated that once there is a better understanding and an internal  
review, she will present the timeline. Ferrell noted that there was a  
conceptual image shared at the council meeting on Monday of this week.  
PR25- Directors Report March 2025  
Attachments:  
PR25- Directors report March 2025.pdf  
J.  
COMMITTEE REPORTS  
i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC)  
ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC)  
Simmons stated the next meeting will be on May 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM  
PR-SR May Jun 2025 Spotlight  
Attachments:  
PR-SR May Jun 2025 Spotlight .pdf  
iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)  
POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT  
K.  
Kaminski stated that she is looking forward to the summer. She noted  
that especially now it is important to have community events to bring  
everyone together and that the City of Gahanna does a great job hosting  
these events.  
McCleskey commended Director Ferrell for the great job that her and her  
team are doing.  
Simmons stated that Make Gahanna Yours is doing their litter clean up  
on Saturday April 19, 2025 from 9 am to 12 pm. meeting at Friendship  
Park and invited anyone to participate.  
Miller stated that he attended the Gahanna Soccer Association board  
meeting in April. Miller noted that they have had a few rainouts with  
games and practices but most of their coaches are in place now and are  
off to a good start.  
L.  
ADJOURNMENT