Westerville Parks Board Begins Work on PROS 3 Master Plan
Public input will help guide long-term planning for parks, trails, and facilities
The Westerville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Tuesday heard a presentation from consultant Farrell Buller of 110%, the firm hired to guide development of PROS 3, the city’s next long-range Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces master plan update. Buller outlined the process the firm will use to develop recommendations.
As part of the presentation, Buller led board members through a SWOT exercise, asking them to identify the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The discussion ranged from what Parks and Recreation does well to where improvements could be made, to opportunities for growth or partnerships, and to obstacles that may hinder future progress.
Board members offered candid responses, which were recorded in the study notes. That feedback will be combined with input gathered from residents and stakeholders over the coming months.
PROS 3 will build on more than two decades of planning that have shaped how Westerville acquires land, builds facilities, and maintains neighborhood parks. PROS, short for Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces, serves as the city’s comprehensive master plan for its parks system. The original plan was adopted in 2000 and later updated in the 2010s following extensive public engagement, including surveys, community meetings, and stakeholder interviews. That update guided expansion of the city’s Bike & Walk trail network, improvements to neighborhood parks, long-range planning around the Westerville Community Center, and continued investment in athletic fields and recreational amenities.
The parks system is supported in part by a dedicated quarter-percent income tax approved and renewed by voters. That funding provides a stable source for maintenance, programming, and capital projects. It also allows the city to plan improvements in phases and strengthens its position when applying for state and federal grants that require local matching funds.
Tuesday’s meeting marked the beginning of the next evaluation cycle.
Buller outlined how the consulting team will approach the PROS 3 process, which will run through the end of the year. The study is expected to include data analysis, community engagement, and comparisons with peer communities to identify trends and best practices.
The consulting process will include several opportunities for residents to weigh in on what they expect from the department and its parks system. Community meetings and other outreach efforts are planned to gather feedback on priorities, unmet needs, and long-term investments.
The resulting PROS 3 document is expected to outline recommendations for the next decade, helping city leaders direct funding, prioritize capital improvements, and respond to changing recreational trends as Westerville continues to grow.
Parks Updates
The following updates were included in the information packet provided to members of the City of Westerville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for the February 19 meeting:
Trail Town Program (2026): Westerville is participating in the MORPC-led Trail Town pilot program. Work includes developing a local trail town logo, launching a bicycle-friendly business initiative, and strengthening the community’s trail-based identity.
Trail Safety Framework: The Police Department and Legal are leading the development of a comprehensive trail safety plan.
Shinto Shrine (2024): SCA is preparing a Historic Sources Report to support grant applications, storytelling, and future construction documentation.
Ohio to Erie Trail (2026): Construction documents and specifications have been submitted to ODOT for review ahead of the April bid letting.
City Hall North Via Screen: A contractor has been retained to replace the history panel between City Hall and Jimmy V’s. Community Affairs is developing updated text and image layouts, with completion targeted for May when City Hall reopens.
Walnut Ridge Park (2026): The project is currently out to bid. City Council is expected to consider the contract award on March 17.
Sycamore Trail (2024): Sculpture components are being finalized and will be installed by Janco ahead of a May dedication event.
Highlands Shelter (2025): The new shelter has been installed. The concrete pad will be poured as the weather permits.
Court Lighting Project (2025): Work is substantially complete. A push-button repair at the Community Courts remains before closeout.
Millstone Creek Playground (2025): Playground demolition has begun. The area will remain closed to the public until July.
Alkyre Run Wetland Restoration (2025): Marks Construction will mobilize in March. Tree removal will begin first to comply with bat habitat regulations. Most of the trees being removed are invasive pear species.
Everal Barn (2026): The project has been awarded to Elford Construction. The contractor will mobilize in March.
Noodles & Company Closes Westerville Location
Noodles & Company has closed its restaurant at 630 N. State St. in Westerville. The closure happened recently, and the location has been removed from the company’s website. The national fast-casual noodle chain is in the midst of a broader reduction, having closed dozens of restaurants nationwide after reporting lower revenue. The company says it plans to close up to 35 more restaurants this year as it refocuses on its higher-performing locations. The Westerville closure follows a 2025 round of dozens of closures and reflects the company’s ongoing reevaluation of its restaurant portfolio.
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