Parks Get Good Early Reports - Measles Warning
Board Packet Gives Early Look At 2026 Parks Operations As PROS 3 Planning Continues
Board members reviewing the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board packet before Thursday night’s meeting received an early overview of 2026 operations, showing strong results at the Community Center and in Recreation Services, along with more modest year-to-date outcomes at Everal Barn, HPAC, and the Senior Center.
The packet accompanied a meeting that followed up on the board’s previous session, when members heard from 110%, the consulting firm leading the development of PROS 3, Westerville’s upcoming Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces master plan update. During that earlier meeting, consultant Farrell Buller outlined the planning process and guided board members through a SWOT exercise focused on the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The March 19 packet noted that the PROS 3 team is now reviewing feedback from its first site visit, preparing survey topics, analyzing the park system, and planning a public engagement visit in May.
For Thursday night’s meeting, the agenda included a park scorecard review under the director’s report, and the packet had February performance measure pages for each division.
The Community Center reported 19% revenue year to date, 15% expenditures year to date, and a 79% return on investment through February, making it one of the strongest performers in the report. Recreation Services posted the highest return, with 27% revenue year to date, 8% expenditures year to date, and a 239% ROI.
Other facilities showed smaller early-year returns. Everal Barn was listed at 4% revenue year to date, 7% expenditures year to date, and a 17% ROI. HPAC, the Highlands Park Aquatic Center, showed 3% revenue year to date, 4% expenditures year to date, and a 73% ROI. The Senior Center was listed at 13% revenue year to date, 12% expenditures year to date, and a 32% ROI.
The packet also included a Parks Maintenance scorecard, but that section did not use a return-on-investment figure. Instead, it showed 9% revenue year to date and 16% expenditures year to date, along with a park scorecard rating.
The report notes that the 2026 figures are year-to-date, while the 2022-2025 charts show year-end totals, meaning the comparisons provide only an early snapshot of the year.
Otterbein Student’s Measles Case Prompts Exposure Warning At Westerville CVS
Health officials in Franklin County are warning of possible measles exposure after an Otterbein University student with a confirmed case visited a CVS store in Westerville.
Franklin County Public Health said the infected person was at the CVS at 620 S. Cleveland Ave. on March 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone who was in the store during that period may have been exposed, officials said.
Vaccinated people who were at the store face a very low risk of infection, according to the health agency. Those who are not fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms through April 7.
Otterbein University notified students, faculty, and staff that the case involved one of its students. The university said close contacts were limited and that the student did not enter any campus buildings or residence halls before or after spring break. The student is isolating off campus.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications.
The Westerville case follows a recent measles outbreak in the Columbus area involving at least six children younger than 5. Health officials said five were unvaccinated and one had received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Ohio officials also recently warned of a possible measles exposure at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
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