About US

On July 15, 1910, the City Recreation Department was established to enrich Columbus by finding ways to make streets, alleys, boulevards, parks and public grounds more beautiful. On Jan. 2, 1972, the City Recreation Department merged with the Division of Forestry and Parks to become Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

We have grown from six parks to more than 400 parks on 13,500+ acres, have established 28 community centers, five athletic complexes, six golf courses, 230 miles of regional trails, six spraygrounds and interactive fountains, eight outdoor pools and an indoor aquatics center, 25 nature preserves, three reservoirs, five dog parks, a skate park and a range of programs for toddlers to seniors.

Our Mission

We connect the people of our community through the power of nature, wellness and creativity.

Our Vision

A socially equitable city.

Our Values

Joy

Our programs and activities are fun, celebrate culture and add to our quality of life.

Nature

As stewards of the land, we invest heavily in conserving our natural environment.

Legacy

Our assets are entrusted for generations to come, which is why we plan for tomorrow, not just today.

Community

We embed in our neighborhoods, know our participants and serve as a gathering place for all.

Open

We communicate in multiple languages, design for accessibility, program for inclusion and hire to represent the people we serve.