Walnut Ridge Park Upgrades Out For Bid - Water Plant Design RFP - Neighborhood Bridges Asks For Help
Walnut Ridge Park Upgrade Moves Into Bidding Phase, $3.2M Project Advances
Westerville is moving forward with Walnut Ridge Park’s redevelopment by soliciting bids for a project to decrease flooding, restore natural features, and upgrade recreational facilities.
The Planning and Development Department is seeking contractors for the Walnut Ridge Park Improvements project. Bids are due by February 19 at 3 p.m., and the base bid is estimated at $3.237 million.
In 2019, a Parks and Recreation study identified chronic flooding as a significant issue, affecting trails, ballfields, the Walnut Street embankment, and a man-made stream. The study recommended realigning the stream and creating wetlands to better manage stormwater and enhance water quality.
The project tackles these long-standing issues, especially on the east side, where flooding has damaged fields, trails, and nearby neighborhoods. City engineers say the narrow stream channel accelerates stormwater flow and causes more erosion in the park and downstream.
Major updates include rebuilding two baseball fields above the 100-year floodplain and relocating the creek to a broader, more natural course. One ball field will be replaced with a larger floodplain planted with native grasses and wildflowers. Wetland and bioretention features will help slow stormwater, reduce erosion, and improve water quality before runoff leaves the area.
The bid package includes a redesigned parking lot with 59 spaces, new asphalt drives, concrete walkways, and pervious pavement to help reduce runoff. Boardwalks will allow people to walk through wetlands and allow floodwaters to flow underneath during storms. Observation decks and new trail connections will keep access open between Apache Street and the regional bike path.
Recreational improvements will include updated baseball facilities with new fencing, dugouts, and backstops, resurfaced basketball courts, and new benches, tables, grills, bike racks, and signs. The playground and shelter building will remain as they are.
Landscaping plans include more than 20 tree species, meadow plantings, native grasses, and wildflowers to replace grass in flood-prone areas.
After a public open house in late 2024, city officials revised the design by removing the planned pickleball courts and emphasizing conservation and flood control. The final plans now available for bidding reflect this new direction.
When finished, the project will update a park that has not changed much since the early 1970s. The goal is to make the park usable again, protect nearby homes from future flooding, and keep Walnut Ridge Park as a place for the community to gather. The bid information says the rebuild is expected to be done by October 23, 2026.
Water Treatment Plant Design RFP
The City of Westerville is seeking proposals from professional engineers and designers to upgrade its Water Treatment Plant at 312 W. Main Street. The goal is to plan and design improvements to key plant systems to boost efficiency, improve reliability, and maintain compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.
The current water treatment plant can process 7.5 million gallons per day and serves over 15,000 homes and businesses across the city. The chosen consultant will handle all design and engineering tasks, including system evaluations, obtaining permits, cost estimation, supporting the bidding process, and providing support during construction.
Upgrades will cover the raw water intake and pumps, chemical storage and feed systems, automation and controls, finished water pumps, electrical systems, a new backup generator, and improvements to the plant’s SCADA monitoring system. The city plans to start construction in 2027, with an initial budget of about $8.1 million, depending on the final design and cost estimates.
Proposals are due by March 10.
Neighborhood Bridges Opportunities for Kindness
Neighborhood Bridges is asking the Westerville community to step up once again, announcing several new opportunities to support local students, families, and school staff.
The organization, which connects donors directly with unmet needs in local schools, is currently seeking help in the following areas:
Socks for students in grades K–5, helping ensure younger children have basic necessities for school
Female clothing items for Walnut Springs, with sizes and specifics available through the Neighborhood Bridges platform
A reliable vehicle for a Westerville City School staff member facing transportation challenges
Children’s clothing for the Wilder Elementary Care Closet, which supports students throughout the school year
Assistance with sports participation fees for high school athletes, ensuring students can stay involved regardless of family finances
Free piano lessons for a local high school student eager to continue learning music
A vehicle for a Westerville school family of six, addressing a critical need for safe transportation
Volunteers for the Westerville Snow Patrol, helping families with snow removal during winter weather
Community members interested in helping can view full details and sign up to meet specific needs through Neighborhood Bridges. Donations and volunteer efforts go directly to local students and families, often with immediate impact.
For more information or to get involved, visit the Neighborhood Bridges website.
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