Parks, Recreation & Leisure

Parks, Recreation & Leisure / Parks & Forestry

Horticulture & Beautification Program

Since the early 1900s, Upper Arlington has been largely defined by the beauty of its landscape. Winding streets and community and neighborhood parks provide a structure for connections and gathering opportunities.

As Upper Arlington embraces the new century, the guidance of its Master Plan and the realities of limited space and funding have spurred a program designed to reenergize our public spaces through a series of landscape enhancements.

Member clubs of the Upper Arlington Garden Council maintain several existing sites in the City, including a recently renovated garden at the Municipal Services Center main entrance, a parkette at the triangle of Kenny and Windham roads, and gardens at Tremont Fountain Park. However, this group’s volunteer time is limited, and there are many locations in the City that would benefit greatly from landscaping enhancements, should the staffing and financial resources become available.

In 2002, a unique partnership between the City of Upper Arlington and Landscape Architecture students of The Ohio State University, provided a wealth of landscaping ideas, designs, recommended plant lists and locations. As a result, the Parks & Recreation Department has hired a fulltime horticulturist to reinvigorate the City’s beautification program.

Community spirit, participation and the natural environment are all trademarks of Upper Arlington’s success. By combining these attributes, the community’s beauty and overall quality of life can only be enhanced further.

How the Program Works
Individuals or entities who might be interested in “adopting” specific sites within the community are being sought. Adoptions could include locations with existing landscaping or investments to create entirely new “bright spots” in the community. Each area is available for either a one-time donation, or adoption for a three or five year period by making annual installments.

Depending on size and complexity, the total adoption fee could range from $500 to $10,000. All donations will initially be used to cover all installation expenses, such as the purchase of plants and other materials. any remaining amount will support ongoing maintenance costs.

Unless you choose otherwise, your community contribution will be recognized via a public relations campaign coordinated by the City. Any sponsor donating $5,000 or more will automatically become a "Gold Leaf" sponsor. Upon request from any Gold Leaf donor, the City will recognize the individual/organization at the adoption site, with an engraved marker.

Additional community partnership opportunities include:
• Providing assistance in soliciting and securing adoptions.
• “Adopting” a site by volunteering time to help with plantings and ongoing maintenance activities.

The funding for this program is being coordinated through the Upper Arlington Community Foundation Fund of the Columbus Foundation. This fund was established with the aim of directing philanthropic donations to the benefit of the Upper Arlington community in a variety of ways, including the arts, natural environment, recreation and leisure.

Once you have selected your adoption site, you may choose to make a tax deductible, one-time payment or pay by installments over the life of the adoption. As funds are required to support your adoption site, they will be drawn from the Upper Arlington Community Foundation Fund.

Adoption Options
While the community offers an unlimited number of areas for future development and enhancement, we have selected a few to prioritize at this time. If you would be interested in adopting a location not identified here, please let us know.

$5,000-$10,000
"Gold Leaf" Areas
Community Entryways/High Profile Parkettes
- Henderson Road & Riverside Drive
- Northwest Boulevard & Northstar Road
- Reed Road & Henderson Road
- Kenny Road & Henderson Road
- Lane Avenue & Northstar Road
- Mallway Park
- Five Points (Fishinger Road, Tremont Road & Northwest Boulevard)
- Reed Road Water Park

$500-5,000
Park Entries and Themed Gardens
- Wyandot Park & Memorial
- Miller Park entries or gazebo
- Fancyburg Park gazebo
- Entries at Northam, Thompson, or Reed Road parks
- Municipal Services Center triangle at Kenny Road & Tremont Road
- Tremont Road & Redding Road triangle
- Triangle at Cambridge Boulevard, Yorkshire Road & Guilford Road

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Parks & Forestry Division
Parks & Recreation Department
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Phone: 614-583-5340