Embracing natural areas for the community, designing areas for all children to play side by side, and connecting residents with recreational opportunities within a big city – That’s GPD. In honor of National Parks & Recreation Month, GPD is reflecting on investments that have expanded access to outdoor spaces and supported their impact on physical, mental, and social well-being.
Flatwood Park
Flatwood Park began as agricultural land, defined by 9–10 wetlands and pockets of bluestem—a native meadow grass. When the Columbus Recreation & Parks Department approached GPD, they had a basic concept and knew they wanted to implement a playground and add connector trails to the Camp Chase Trail. However, once GPD walked on-site, the team saw a different opportunity—one shaped by the land’s natural character.
In addition to the walking paths and playground, which embraced the natural landscape, our team made major improvements to the site’s stormwater system—recharging existing wetlands and eliminating the need for a detention pond.
DREAM Playground
DREAM Playground began with a simple, yet powerful vision. A local mother’s advocacy on behalf of her child, prompted community leaders to pursue a space where children of all abilities could play together. That grassroots effort ultimately grew into Summit County’s first fully inclusive playground, with GPD helping transform the community’s vision into a buildable, lasting public space.
Working alongside the city and community stakeholders, GPD’s role extended beyond meeting accessibility standards. The design team helped create an environment where children of all physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities could play together—making inclusion the guiding principle rather than simply a design requirement.
The final design incorporated more than twenty play zones, including areas for music creation, an interactive Storyboard Walk, and a variety of push‑button components, all encouraging hands-on engagement. The park’s grand opening is scheduled for August 9th and will feature ice cream, food, and activities.
East Side Rail Trail
That same commitment to outdoor access carries forward into the East Side Rail Trail—an initiative focused on reconnecting residents with resources and nature across the urban corridor. The city of Columbus, OH will implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through COTA as part of a larger program called LinkUS. To support this effort, the city acquired a rail line connecting Broad and Main Street, with Livingston Avenue slated to join as the network grows.
“The rail line will be really interesting for the trail because Whitehall is on our east and Columbus is on our west, so instead of being a separator, it’s going to be a connector,” Short said. “We hope to have a meandering path that feels like people are connecting back with nature a little bit within this urban setting.”
This investment aligns with Mayor Andrew Ginther’s long‑term goal of ensuring that all residents live within a 10‑minute walk of quality greenspace by 2050.
Together, these initiatives highlight GPD’s commitment to design that honors natural landscapes, promotes inclusive participation, and strengthens communities—demonstrating how investment in public spaces can shape stronger environments for all.
To learn more about our work with parks, connect with our Parks & Recreation Lead, Ivan Valentic.