McCord Park Renovation Project

5/13/2022 Update:

Thanks to warmer weather, work has continued at an accelerated pace! Both shelters have completed roofs and attention will now turn towards finishing and landscaping. Construction has also started on the new playground area which will be replaced as part of phase one renovations. The new playground installation is scheduled to be completed by early summer.

4/14/22 Update:

Work has resumed on phase one with the installation of the two shelters. Footers are poured and the construction of the structures will follow. Soon, work will begin on the playground and its surfacing. Other work still to occur this spring and early summer includes finish work around the Train Observation Area, landscaping and seeding around various areas of phase one, and small paved trail installation around the playground site and Community Garden.

1/7/22 Update:

Construction on phase one of renovations has gone dormant for the coldest winter months. Work is on schedule with the following items to be completed once the weather allows in the spring:

Installation of the new playground and surfacing
Construction of the two new shelters
Completion of some of the paved trails system around the garden and the playground
Completion of the train observation area
Installation of the full-size soccer field netting on each end
Landscaping and screening throughout phase one

Phase two of the renovations has been funded in the 2022 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The next step in that portion of the project will be detailed design work to include the ballfield renovations, replacement of the restroom and storage structure, completion of the looped multi-use trail system, realignment of the entrance drive, and significant drainage and turf upgrades. Staff will be working with community partners and residents to get input on design in the upcoming months.

9/9/2021 Update:

Construction continues at McCord Park though it may seem not much is happening as much of the current work is below ground or at grade with drainage for the full size soccer field and parking areas, base-work for the multi-use trail and parking lot, and foundation work for the two new shelters. As we progress through September we will start to see paving work along the trails and the new parking area in the northwest corner of the park, seeding of the soccer field, construction around the train observation feature, and additional preparations for the playground and shelter areas.

8/11/2021 Update:

Construction on McCord Park is officially underway with the removal of the existing playground and removal of some small trees to make room for the enlarged soccer field and some of the parking adjustments. Crews also began laying out the multi-use trail and excavating for its paving this week. Beginning Friday, August 13, we will see pavement being removed in the parking area north of the Community Center, along the west drive in the park, and around the caboose in the train observation area.

8/2/2021 Update

McCord Park Renovation Construction will kick off with playground demolition on August 3. We expect to see some demolition work including the removal of the playground on the west side of the park and some earth moving around in preparation for the enlarging of the soccer field and reconfiguring of some of the parking spaces. Work will also be starting on the creation of a Train Observation Area where the donated caboose has been sitting and the first portions of a multi-use trail that will eventually encircle the entire park.

Phase One

The McCord Park Renovation Project has been broken into phases. Phase one is underway and includes:

Replacement of the playground - View the proposed Playground Design
Enlarging of the multi-purpose turf field
Addition of two reservable shelters
Creation of the train observation area
Reconfiguration of some parking areas
Addition of a portion of the multi-use trail system that will eventually encircle the entire park

See Phase One Details here

More images of what the redesigned park will look like

Phase Two

Phase two will include the renovation of the four ball diamonds, the restroom/storage facility, the realignment of the entry drive from East Wilson Bridge Road, and the completion of the multi-use trail system that will encircle the park.

Background

The City of Worthington completed a Parks Master Plan in 2017 which identified the renovation of McCord Park as one of its most critical park improvements. The plan identified a variety of specific improvements to be considered including the replacement of the playground, the addition of a circular multi-use trail, replacement of the aging restroom facilities, and more.

City Council approved funding to complete a McCord Park Master Plan which would engage the public and stakeholders about what they would like to see in the renovation. At the completion of the planning process in 2018, City Council approved a Conceptual Master Plan which identified the desired amenities to be included in the park renovations. This plan served as the guide for the design phase which goes into more detail on those amenities including the playground, restroom, shelter houses, and more.

The City of Worthington contracted with POD Design, LLC on the final design and project management for bidding and construction.

McCord Park by the Numbers

About 1,250 summer camp participants use McCord Park each year.
About 1,100 preschool and youth participants in Community Center programming use the park each year.
Approximately 9,000 people attend special events in the park each year including Touch a Truck, National Night Out, and Paws in the Park.
An average of 148 kids per week visit the Community Center as part of local daycares, school groups, camps, etc.
The McCord Park ball diamonds and soccer fields were available to be reserved for 198 days in 2017. At least one of those fields was reserved 193 of those days. On average the park has 1,900 visits per week (players only) as a result of field permits. Adding parents, siblings, and spectators that number would at least double to 3,800 per week.
The Community Garden currently has 30 plots rented.
The park renovation plan proposes the addition of two small reservable shelters which would serve an estimated 5,600 people per year.

Residents are encouraged to bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates. You can also contact the Worthington Parks and Recreation Department at 614-436-2743 for more information.