200 South Hamilton Road  
Gahanna, Ohio 43230  
City of Gahanna  
Meeting Minutes  
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, June 18, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Gahanna City Hall, Council Chambers  
A.  
CALL MEETING TO ORDER  
Chair Ross called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. The Agenda was  
published on June 13, 2025.  
B.  
ROLL CALL  
Staff in Attendance: Stephania Ferrell, Director of Parks and Recreation;  
Nichole Butler, Clerk  
6 -  
Present:  
Kevin McGinn, Eric Miller, Donna Simmons, Jan Ross, Ken Shepherd and  
Harvey McCleskey  
1 - Chrissy Kaminski  
Absent:  
C.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
A motion was made by Shepherd, seconded by Miller, that the April 16,2025  
Minutes be approved as published. The motion carried by the following vote:  
6 - McGinn, Miller, Simmons, Ross, Shepherd and McCleskey  
1 - Kaminski  
Yes:  
Absent:  
2025-0131  
PR Board Minutes 4.16.25  
D.  
ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA  
Director Ferrell requested a fee waiver be added to new business for the  
Gahanna Lincoln High School marching band.  
E.  
F.  
HEARING OF VISITORS  
CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS  
G.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
GRIN Gardens  
Director Ferrell stated that back in February 2025, Brenda Johnston from  
Gahanna Residents In Need (GRIN) came to the Parks & Recreation  
Board with a request to partner with the City of Gahanna, to see how  
community gardens could be added to their program. Director Ferrell  
stated that GRIN worked with the Parks & Recreation Department to  
determine a location for the project. Ferrell stated that residents may  
notice the raised planters in the former location of the sunflower field  
along Granville Street which will be used for the purpose of growing fresh  
vegetables, fruits and herbs for those in the GRIN program. Ferrell noted  
that this will also serve educational purposes for the participants to learn  
how to care and grow their own produce and be self-sustaining if they  
have the space at home. Ferrell stated the department is happy to have  
the opportunity to partner with GRIN in this initiative for the community.  
Ross asked for clarification on the partnership. Ferrell stated that  
because the lot is City of Gahanna property, there was a formal  
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to use the property.  
Ferrell noted that the operations and specifics of the program are  
handled by GRIN. McGinn commented that he is happy with the use of the  
space.  
H.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Academy Park Improvements  
Director Ferrell provided an update on the Academy Park Improvements  
project. Ferrell noted that the Academy Park improvements include  
replacing the parking lot, basketball court, playground, improvements to  
the trails and construction of a trail head. Ferrell shared a presentation  
that shows conceptual images that are still in draft form and do not  
indicate final design for the project. Ferrell noted that the provided  
images are to help progress thru the design process. Ferrell highlighted  
on the addition of roughly 85 parking spaces. Ferrell noted that there is a  
current challenge with the lack of parking. Ferrell noted that even with the  
expansion of the parking lot, there is still the ability to maintain green  
space which accommodates a full-size soccer field. Ferrell highlighted  
the turnaround at the south end of the parking lot. Ferrell stated the  
project also includes relocation and replacement of the basketball courts  
which will promote a better flow of traffic for use of the trails and promote  
a more natural progression to go around the existing baseball fields.  
Simmons asked if the existing path thru the parking lot would remain.  
Ferrell stated that there will still be a path thru the center of the parking lot  
as it serves a purpose of safe travel for pedestrians from one end of the  
parking lot to the other. Simmons asked if the basketball courts would be  
moved. Ferrell stated they are slightly repositioned to better create a flow  
for the usage.  
Director Ferrell presented a conceptual design for the playground and  
trail head improvements. Ferrell noted that thru a partnership with the  
Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation, the department was able to  
secure grant funding thru the Ohio Department of Natural Resources  
(ODNR) NatureWorks Grant for nearly $96,000 for the construction of the  
trail head. Ferrell stated in the planning process it became clear that it  
would be more cost effective to combine the trail head and shelter house  
into one location. Ferrell highlighted that the placement of the shelter not  
only promotes a better traffic flow for trail and park users but also  
provides a protection around the playground from the parking lot. Ferrell  
emphasized that the design is still in progress and final decisions have  
not been made on all aspects of the design.  
Shepherd asked for a construction timeline from start to completion.  
Ferrell stated that the department knows that the disruption to any park is  
difficult, but the department will make sure that it is timed out in a  
best-case scenario situation for all park users. Ferrell noted that a  
construction schedule has not yet been determined. Ross asked if the  
grant from ODNR has time requirements for the completion of the project.  
Ferrell stated that the grant requires the trailhead to be completed at the  
end of 2025. The department is required to submit a report for project  
updates. The department will formally request an extension from ODNR  
for the updated target timeline. Miller asked if this request would be in the  
2026 capital budget requests. Ferrell stated the department will be  
requesting for additional funds in 2026 to complete the project. McGinn  
asked if the bike station was included in this plan. Ferrell stated a bike  
repair station will be installed near the shelter, as well as additional  
signage for etiquette and a map of the trail system within the park. Ferrell  
noted that thru the Central Ohio Mountain Bike Organization (COMBO)  
the site has been identified as a good opportunity for Dirt School, a  
program to teach new users how to ride mountain bikes. Miller asked  
what the surface of the playground will be comprised of. Ferrell stated  
that it will be a mixture of playground mulch and poured surface. Ross  
asked what the size of the trailhead/shelter would be. Ferrell stated that is  
subject to change, but the current design is approximately 3500 square  
feet. Simmons asked if the recycling and trash dumpsters would remain.  
Ferrell noted that they would remain and be moved to the north of the lot.  
Simmons asked if there were any plans for screening of these  
dumpsters. Ferrell states that there has been discussion of blinds for the  
dumpsters. Ferrell highlighted that the Project Manager, Catherine  
Eichel, is leading this project and has been doing a fantastic job. Ross  
expressed enthusiasm for how well attended the ribbon cutting for the  
mountain bike trail was. Ferrell thanked the Board on behalf of the staff  
for their attendance.  
2025-0142  
Fee Waiver- Orchestra  
Butler stated that Kevin Dengel, from the Gahanna schools orchestra  
PR Board Presentation- Academy Park Improvements  
program, requested a fee waiver for use of the shelter at Hannah Park for  
the middle school family event on May 16, 2026 for the 4 pm to 8 pm time  
slot. Butler noted that this request is like requests from Mr. Dengel in the  
past for orchestra. Ross asked if this request was too early for others to  
have a chance to rent. Butler stated that reservations open 365 days in  
advance of the date needed so there has been several weeks for those  
who wished to utilize this date and time to book it.  
2025-0130  
Memo: GJPS Fee waiver Request- Dengel  
A motion was made by shepherd second by McGinn to approve the fee waiver  
for the GJPS Orchestra program. The motion carried the following vote:  
6 - McGinn, Miller, Simmons, Ross, Shepherd and McCleskey  
1 - Kaminski  
Yes:  
Absent:  
GLHS Band Fee Waiver-Cebriak  
Butler stated that Rob Cebriak requested a fee waiver for the use of  
Friendship Park on October 25, 2025, from 4:00 Pm to 8:00 PM for a  
band gathering and campfire. Butler states this same request has come  
in each year for the last 4 years.  
A motion was made by Miller second by McCleskey to approve the fee waiver  
for the GLHS Marching Band. The motion carried the following vote:  
6 - McGinn, Miller, Simmons, Ross, Shepherd and McCleskey  
1 - Kaminski  
Yes:  
Absent:  
Staffing Updates  
Director Ferrell provided an update on the department staffing. Ferrell  
highlighted that as part of the 2025 staffing requests, the department  
requested to add a Parks Manager, and Zac Guthrie was promoted into  
that position from the Parks and Facilities Superintendent position.  
Ferrell noted that with the vacancy created with Guthrie’s promotion,  
there was a need to backfill the Superintendent position. Shunnye Dunlap  
was promoted from a Maintenance Worker II to the Parks and Facilities  
Superintendent position. Ferrell noted that with Dunlap’s promotion,  
another vacancy was created a Maintenance Worker II. An internal  
candidate, Eric Langdon, was promoted into the position from a  
Maintenance Worker I. Ferrell stated that Nathaniel Hartsock joined the  
team as the Arbor/Horticulture Foreman. Ferrell stated that Chris  
Skidmore, Recreation Supervisor for Youth and Family programming,  
resigned as of Friday June 13, 2025, for a promotion in Cincinnati.  
Ferrell also noted that Amy Moneypenny, who serves as the Recreation  
Coordinator for Youth and Family programs, is going to be moving to a  
position within the Gahanna Division of Police but will serve as interim  
Supervisor for the remainder of summer camps for the 2025 season or  
until the vacancy is filled.  
I.  
DIRECTOR'S REPORT  
Ferrell highlighted the Gahanna Market that is scheduled to take place on  
Wednesday June 25, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Creekside  
Plaza. Ferrell noted that on Gahanna.gov you can view information on all  
city special events thanks to the marketing team as well as Chelsea  
Heppert.  
Ross asked how the last Aquatics Master Plan Meeting went. Ferrell  
stated that there is some additional information that needs to be included  
in the draft report before the final report will be presented.  
McCleskey asked if there is a concern for the use of electronic bicycles  
on the trails and if there has been any coordination with the Gahanna  
Police regarding enforcement of those permitted uses. Ferrell stated that  
in the ordinance on multi-use trails, class 1 and class 2 E-bikes are  
allowed on the multi-use trails. Ferrell stated that class 3 e-bikes are not  
permitted. Ferrell noted that a class 1 has been identified as a  
reasonable accommodation for use on the mountain bike trail.  
2025-0132  
PR Directors Report May 2025  
J.  
COMMITTEE REPORTS  
i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC)  
Miller stated they have not met however they were pleased with the turn  
out of the ribbon cutting on the mountain bike trail and that the committee  
passed out bicycle helmets.  
ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC)  
Simmons stated they met on May 20, 2025. Simmons stated that one  
additional board member was elected on June 1, 2025. Simmons stated  
the next meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2025 at the senior center at  
3:00 PM. Simmons noted that the membership is very active and always  
busy, and are excited for their space at 825 Tech Center Drive. Ferrell  
highlighted the work of Annette Baxter and Lauren Gregory who oversee  
the activities at the Senior Center, and how well they do programming  
and understanding the wants and needs of the seniors.  
iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)  
None  
K.  
POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT  
Shepherd commended the artists that were part of the bright blocks that  
were painted at the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival.  
Simmons stated that she visited 5 of the Gahanna parks before the  
meeting and wanted to commend Director Ferrell and her team for the  
beauty of the parks themselves and the great work they do. Ferrell stated  
that Guthrie has done a phenomenal job of setting an expectation with his  
staff of maintaining a high standard of care and this is reflected in the  
parks. McGinn encouraged those who have an idea or concern to  
connect with each other and share ideas to help get things done, and that  
you don’t know if someone else shares your idea to help move a project  
forward.  
iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee  
L.  
ADJOURNMENT