Carroll/Canal Winchester news: Ribbon cutting for new shelter house at McGill Park May 23
The City of Canal Winchester is preparing for a grand opening of the McGill Park three season shelter house on Thursday, May 23. Members of the public are invited to join staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park, located at 6725 Lithopolis-Winchester Road, at 10 a.m. to commemorate the opening. Following the ceremony, the facility will remain open for tours for the remainder of the day.
The city began construction of the 84-acre park in 2021. The first section opened in July 2022 with amenities including soccer fields, a nature-themed playground, walking trails, and an open shelter house. Construction on the three season shelter house began in September 2023.
“The open shelter houses at our other parks are constantly in use during the warmer months,” says Mayor Joe Steager. “This new facility will be a step up from that, giving renters access to a warming kitchen, sink, and restrooms. Adding overhead doors and a gas fireplace makes it rentable for more of the year, too.”
The three season shelter house will be available to rent daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning Friday, May 24. The shelter house has a seating capacity of 62, and a maximum capacity of 123. Picnic-style tables are included inside the main gathering space. Renters also have access to two charcoal grills and additional seating on the adjacent patios.
Rental opportunities will open for booking this week. Hourly rates are available for residents and non-residents. Reservations can be made on the city website on a first come, first served basis, and must be booked 10 days in advance.
Construction at the park continues with work having already started on pickleball courts. Future phases of McGill Park will add more attractions such as multipurpose fields, a dog park, and an event center.
CW Survey
The City of Canal Winchester is seeking feedback from residents within corporation limits to learn what the community thinks about communication from the local government. Residents are asked to complete the survey by June 1.
The survey was drafted by a working group that included staff and city council members. Eight questions aim to evaluate the communication residents receive from the City, including what sources are preferred and what departments residents seek information from. A few open-ended questions allow residents to share input on areas of improvement. The digital survey is available on the city website. Paper copies are available in City Hall as well.
“This survey gives us an opportunity to take the pulse of the community, and to see what we are doing well and what we could do better,” said Mayor Joe Steager. “Residents have my pledge that we will analyze the responses and use them as guidelines for our communication to the community in the years to come.”
When survey responses have been received, results will be tabulated and analyzed, and recommendations will be made for future planning. The results are expected to be available to the public this summer.
Council President Will Bennett added, “I strongly encourage all residents to complete this survey. Our results will only be as good as the quality and variety of responses we get from our residents.”
Any questions about the survey, the process, or results can be directed to Hannah Woodruff, Events & Communications Coordinator for the City of Canal Winchester at 614-834-9915 or hwoodruff@canalwinchesterohio.gov.
Music in the Park
Music in the Park starts this Friday. The City of Canal Winchester invites families with children of all ages and adults alike to see and explore the many fascinating public works and public safety vehicles on display at the upcoming Touch-A-Truck event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 17. Touch-A-Truck kicks off the city’s 2024 Music in the Park free summer event series at Stradley Park (30 S. High St.). The event will also feature live music by Poverty String Band.
Additional free hands-on activities and games will be available throughout the park. Visit www.canalwinchesterohio.gov for more information.
News items
Please submit news items for this column at least 10 days in advance to Anne Darling Cyphert at adarlingnews@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Grand opening for three season shelter house at McGill Park May 23
