Build Together Play Together

Celebrating 40 Years, NRPA's Park and Recreation Month

Westerville parks, green spaces, programs and events are where a city becomes a community, strangers become acquaintances and acquaintances become friends. They are where community members gather to be themselves, free from the confines of work and obligations, and explore who they truly are and want to be – playful, competitive, determined and relaxed. In these recreational havens, we find others in similar stages and rhythms of life and build real connections.

During a time of unprecedented division, most Americans still agree that local parks and recreation spaces, programs and services add value to communities. A 2024 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) survey of residents over the age of 18 found that 91% of respondents agreed that parks and recreation services offered by their local governments were important.

For the last 40 years, the NRPA has designated July as National Park and Recreation Month to celebrate the role of parks and recreation in communities and to show appreciation for the dedicated professionals who make these spaces and programs possible. This year, the organization is encouraging communities to embrace the theme of building and playing together.

Westerville boasts 26 parks, 51 miles of paved recreation trails, 67 acres of wetlands and more than 650 acres of parkland. To live in this community is to embrace an elevated quality of life provided by a top-performing parks and recreation department–which led to the affectionate phrase, "a city within a park."

In 2024, parks and recreation activities for children and adults brought in more than 218,000 participants and older adult programming received 52,000 participants. Not counting class attendees, the Westerville Community Center welcomed more than 271,000 visitors and Highlands Park Aquatic Center alone received nearly 402,000 total visits.

These numbers are made all the more impressive considering Westerville Parks and Recreation is supported by a dedicated staff of 59 full-time, 329 part-time and 82 seasonal employees. The small, but mighty team of dedicated parks professionals have supported a wide array of programs and services that have resulted in local and national recognition.

The City is a five-time recipient of the prestigious National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management; first in 1974 and then continuously from 2001-2024. Winning departments can apply for recognition once every six years.

The department has also earned accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies since 2005. Awarded every five years, the CAPRA accreditation recognizes Westerville’s compliance with 151 rigorous standards for excellence. Additionally, Westerville’s parks and recreation staff spearheaded the City’s 49 years as a Tree City USA community and as a Tree City of the World.

The City will celebrate 60 years of parks and recreation services in 2026.

Learn more about Westerville Parks and Recreation at www.Westerville.org/Parks.

July Park and Recreation Month Activities

July 1 - Plan a picnic at a Park for National Picnic Month.

July 2 - Pancake Breakfast at WCC*

July 3 - Enjoy Midday Motion from 12-12:45 p.m. at Millstone Creek Park.

July 4 - July 4th Parade in Uptown and Fireworks at the Sports Complex

July 5 - National Play Outside/Hop-a-Park Day

July 6 - Purchase a pass at the Community Center.

July 7 - Play pickleball on the courts at Hoff Woods Park.

July 8 - Play a game in the eSports room at WCC*.

July 9 - Build on Fitness with Bodyweight Bootcamp from 5:306:30 p.m. at Heritage Park.

July 10 - July 10-14 - Register for classes online and at WCC

July 11 - Take your pup to the Westerville Bark Park.

July 12 - Music and Arts Festival at Everal Barn*

July 13 - Visit a park and play basketball.

July 14 - Race a friend at the adventure fitness space at WCC*.

July 15 - Bring the kids to Towers Park for Parent & Me Fitness Games from 9-10 a.m.

July 16 - Enjoy a hot dog for National Hot Dog Day.

July 17 - July 17-20 - CATS at WNHS*

July 18 - Nature Night at Hoff Woods Park

July 19 - Wheelchair Basketball at WCC*

July 20 - Westerflora

July 21 - Climb through the train at Alum Creek Park North.

July 22 - Enjoy the indoor playground at WCC.

July 23 - Holiday Splash at HPAC*

July 24 - Enjoy a Sunset Stretch & Storytime from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Olde Town Park.

July 25 - Frog Friday at Highlands Wetlands

July 26 - Walk Westerville (see page 35 for details)*

July 27 - Summer Concert Series - Westerville Jazz Orchestra at Alum Amphitheater

July 28 - Enjoy a day at HPAC for National Waterpark Day*.

July 29 - Find the hawk at Johnston-McVay Park.

July 30 - Take a splash at the Hanby Park splash pad.

July 31 - Take a family bike ride on the trails.

*May require registration, a fee or ticket purchase.