Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is postponing the ribbon cutting on Kilbourne Run Sports Park that was scheduled for this weekend because he’s not satisfied with its accessibility to city residents, a spokesperson said.
The new park, boasting turf soccer fields, was built on the city’s Northeast Side in collaboration with the Columbus Crew to fulfill a promise to the community made during the public-private “Save the Crew” deal in 2018 that kept the team here. The delivery of this park was years in the making and built on a second-choice site after the city couldn’t get land it wanted from the state near historic Crew Stadium.
The Dispatch reported in late April that neighbors say they’re priced out of renting the fields, which are already in use and cost $250 for two hours. Meanwhile, many of the kids on club teams that can rent the fields are from suburban communities like New Albany, Dublin and Powell.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department officials told The Dispatch the city had no plans to open up the turf fields for free because they are expensive to maintain and meant to generate revenue. Parks officials said a grass soccer field in the park would be open for free to the community in 2027.
Following some public backlash, Ginther then promised to do something.
An opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for the park was scheduled for May 16, but the city announced on May 14 that it is being rescheduled.
“Mayor Ginther is not yet satisfied with the options for community access to the park,” Jennifer Fening, Ginther’s deputy chief of staff of communications, told The Dispatch this week. “We won’t cut the ribbon until the community access plan fulfills his expectations and commitments to the community.”
Northeast Side resident Mohamed Ali, who first raised the issue at a Columbus City Council meeting on April 27, said he appreciates the mayor’s decision to postpone the grand opening.
“We cannot open a public park when we still have an affordability and accessibility issue,” Ali said. “The summer is coming up here soon, so kids need a place where they can develop their skills and feel they’re welcome.”
Ali continues to call on the city to open one of the six turf fields at Kilbourne Run up to residents for free at all times, leaving five to rent out.
Residents can already visit the park to use the walking trails and playground.
Government and politics reporter Jordan Laird can be reached at jlaird@dispatch.com. Follow her on X, Instagram and Bluesky at @LairdWrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus delays debut of soccer park over rental price concerns
Reporting by Jordan Laird, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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