Leaf Collection Starts Mid-October
The Westerville Public Service Department will kick off its 10-week schedule for the 2016 Leaf Collection program on Oct. 17, featuring five separate occasions for each neighborhood to receive at least one pick-up of fall leaves.
These collection dates will occur during the seven- to 10-day period following the assigned date for that neighborhood zone. Completed streets and any schedule adjustments are posted at www.westerville.org/leafcollection.
To make the collection effort even more efficient while preventing pollution and preserving parking, the Public Service Department recommends the following tips and guidelines.
- Rake all leaves to the tree lawn (in between the sidewalk and the street), but not in the street, by the night before the start of your scheduled collection.
- Ensure leaf piles are free of large sticks, twigs and any trash or debris that could cause damage to the leaf collection equipment and injuries to personnel.
- Avoid parking vehicles in front of leaves during collection times.
Leaves may be placed in biodegradable paper bags or yard waste containers for normal Monday yard waste collection should residents decide not to wait for their next scheduled collection time.
For questions or comments, please contact the Public Service Department at 614-901-6740.
Find your zone online at www.westerville.org/leafcollection.
Knowledge is Power: Active Shooter Plan of Action Training
The sad reality is that active shooter incidents continue to occur in the nation and around the globe. As a result, most communities simply no longer believe “it can’t happen here,” and many people are opting to learn more about their personal safety and developing a plan of action in the event of the unthinkable.
Because knowledge is power, the Westerville Division of Police developed a public safety course to review active shooting incidents and educate participants on tactics to consider in such a scenario. The two-hour class has been presented to more than 5,000 people since 2013, including residents and members of several private organizations. The objective is to inform, prepare and empower people with law enforcement-endorsed options that increase situational awareness and personal safety.
Discussion centers on the evolution of mass shootings as criminal behavior, including analysis and a lessons-learned approach to the tragedies at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook Elementary School. Trained officers explain how active shooter trends and plans of action based on research, statistics and best practices will help people increase their chances of escape and survival if ever required.
“Sadly, mass shootings have become a part of the world we live in,” said Joseph Morbitzer, Westerville Police Chief. “This training was developed not to provoke fear, but to prepare a person to think about what to do and how to react if ever in this position. WPD experts designed this course to provide tools that will help you think through a plan of action, whether at work or another public place.”
The training first focuses on emergency protocol, learning how to process a rapid response in an active shooter situation. The elements of the law enforcement method of Run, Hide, Fight are taught in detail. Officers also explain the police response and the best prevention methods known after studying shootings in the U.S. and abroad.
“Since we started this course and training, there have been shootings in Paris and Munich, and at home in Orlando and Dallas. Fear is not the motivation. We want people in this community to understand that knowing more will help them understand how to act and react if ever in or near this situation,” said Officer Daniel Pignatelli, one of the course instructors. “We feel strongly that it’s our responsibility to study these events and help improve peace of mind with even the basic elements of a plan of action.”
Class size is limited to the first 100 people age 18 or older (or 14 or older with parent or guardian). The class is free for all attendees, but registration is required. Register online at www.westerville.org/training. Registration by phone will be accepted at 614-901-6472.
For more information on the Westerville Division of Police, visit www.westerville.org/police.
50 Years of Parks & Recreation
It’s another “golden” year for Westerville Parks & Recreation.
In addition to four national gold medals for excellence in parks and recreation (since 1974), the department celebrates its 50th anniversary this year: a half-century of park development and recreational programming.
Since 1966, Westerville has grown to more than 40 parks, six facilities, one outdoor water park, five wetlands/greenways/nature areas and nearly 30 miles of paved recreational trails. What’s the best way to recognize this golden anniversary? With a party in a park, of course.
Join the Parks & Recreation Department on Thursday, Sept. 15 at Alum Creek Park North for a celebration with food, games, music and activities. The celebration will showcase the progress and promise of the community park system in a fun, family-friendly environment.
“Fifty years is significant, and we have the residents to thank for our success,” said Randy Auler, Westerville Parks & Recreation Director. “Residents have been our advocates and our patrons, and have made more than one long-term commitment to the parks system to keep us growing in the right direction.”
In 1999, Westerville residents first supported the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) strategic plan, which allocates one quarter of 1 percent income tax to the development maintenance of the parks system. That effort led to the building of the Westerville Community Center and Highlands Park Aquatic Center, along with the recreational trail system and multiple park and facility projects. The PROS 2020 plan was approved by voters in 2014, extending the commitment another 20 years so that new projects can be planned now, including an expansion of the Westerville Community Center, an “edge” adventure park and new services for older adults.
While the work and planning is underway for the future of Westerville Parks & Recreation, the department is looking forward to a celebration of the past 50 years.
“We see it every day: Parks and Recreation touches the lives of our residents, businesses and visitors in a profoundly positive way,” said Auler. “If you’ve used the trails, participated in a class or found a peaceful moment in a park, we want you to join the celebration on Sept. 15. Come out and celebrate all we’ve accomplished together.”
Key Milestone Dates: 50 Years of Parks & Recreation
1960s
1966 Parks and Recreation is growing quickly; the first Westerville Parks and Recreation Director is hired.
1968 Three Westerville parks are open: Alum Creek Park, Walnut Ridge and Boyer Park (now Boyer Nature Preserve).
1968 The Kiwanis train is built at Alum Creek Park.
1970s
1973 Three new parks are in development: Highlands Park, Huber Village Park and Towers Park.
1974 Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its first national gold medal for excellence in parks and recreation management from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).
1976 The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes the City of Westerville as a Tree City USA community.
1980s
1980 Paul S. Metzger Park opens.
1982 The Westerville Senior Center opens at its current location (310 W. Main St.).
1985 Snowflake Castle makes its debut at the Westerville Senior Center.
1990s
1996 Hoff Woods Park is dedicated.
1997 The Westerville Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) 2000 strategic plan is adopted.
1999 Everal Barn is moved to its current location and refurbished with assistance of PROS 2000 and a NatureWorks grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
2000s
2001 Westerville Parks & Recreation wins its second national gold medal from NRPA.
2001 The Westerville Community Center and Westerville Sports Complex are dedicated.
2005 Westerville Parks and Recreation receives national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA); Brooksedge Bark Park is dedicated.
2007 Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its third national gold medal from NRPA.
2010s
2010 Millstone Creek Park and Nature Play Area is dedicated, featuring the area’s first all-inclusive playground.
2010 First Responders Park is dedicated, featuring a piece of steel (C40) from the fallen north tower of the World Trade Center.
2011 Highlands Park Aquatic Center (HPAC) is built and dedicated.
2013 Westerville Parks and Recreation wins its fourth national gold medal from NRPA, with the distinction of three consecutive wins.
By the Numbers
606
Number of acres of parkland and green space owned by the City of Westerville and maintained by the Parks & Recreation Department. This represents 40 parks and nearly 30 miles of paved recreational trails. Social media users: Tag us in a photo of your favorite Westerville spot with #ilovewestervilleparks and we’ll share select images with our followers.
Calling All Photographers
Westerville residents and visitors are invited to participate in the 2016 Community Calendar. Selected entries will be used in the 2017 Community Calendar, with photo credit attributed to each photographer. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 9.
Contestants may submit up to three submissions for each of the following categories:
- Environment: Skylines, parks and opens spaces in Westerville.
- Architecture: Building designs, cityscapes and notable landmarks in Westerville.
- People: Family, friends at home or at Westerville community events and gatherings.
- Community Life in Westerville: Education, volunteerism, celebrations, arts and culture.
This is not a contest, and no cash or other value rewards are offered. The calendar will be mailed to homes in Westerville in November with the winter edition of the Westerville Community Recreation Guide.
Image Requirements: Eligible images from a digital camera or scanned copy must be in either JPG or PNG digital format at a file size of between 3 MB (megabytes) minimum and 9 MB maximum at 300 dpi (dots per inch).
Submit Your Photos by Email: Attach only one image file per email and send to: communityaffairs@westerville.org.
For each e-mail, contestants must supply all the following information:
- In the email subject line: Calendar Photo Contest (your name)
- In the body of the email, also include:
- First and last name
- Phone number
- Street address
- Date and location where photo was taken
Entry Agreement
- Only digital, full-color images submitted in JPEG or PNG formats at 300 dpi will be accepted.
- Up to 12 photos per entrant may be submitted.
- All entries must be the original work of the submitting photographer.
- Submissions must be subjects in the City of Westerville.
- All submissions become the property of the City of Westerville for use in the annual Community Calendar and associated promotions.
- All photos may be used in City publications, advertising and marketing materials.
- Photos shall not be more than two years old and must not have been altered in any way, other than cropping.
- Entries with watermarks or writing on the photo will not be accepted.
Mark Your Calendars
Household Hazardous Waste
Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Westerville Service Department, 350 Park Meadow Rd.
The City of Westerville, in partnership with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, provides this annual collection program for residents to properly dispose of hazardous household waste. See www.westerville.org/HHW for a full list of acceptable items. Last year’s collection totaled more than 42,000 lbs. of waste.
Honor Flight Welcome Home Ceremony
Saturday, Sept.10, approximately 9 p.m.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Southwest Baggage Claim
The Westerville community-sponsored flight takes an all-women veteran flight on this day of honor, touring national monuments of their service in Washington, D.C. Join the community at the airport to give these World War II and Korean War veterans the “welcome home” they deserve. Participants and spectators may gather in the Southwest baggage claim area beginning around 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www.honorflightcolumbus.org or check for updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westervilleforhonorflight.
Community Culture Day
Sunday, Sept. 25, 1-5 p.m.
Heritage Christian Church, 7413 Maxtown Rd.
Several community partners – including the City, service organizations and faith community – will present the fourth annual Westerville Community Culture Day on Sunday, Sept. 25. The event features activities, presentations and performances to showcase cultural diversity in our region. Activities and booths will be available and ongoing throughout the day. Presenters and performers will be on stage at scheduled times. All activities are educational and free of charge.
Trick or Treat (Beggar’s Night)
Monday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
Citywide
The annual tradition of Trick or Treat (Beggar’s Night) will be observed on Halloween night, which is Monday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. As a reminder, Trick or Treat is not an official, City-sponsored event. When weather conditions are poor, the City does not attempt to delay, postpone or otherwise recommend rescheduling Trick or Treat without a major compelling reason such as severe weather warnings (heavy thunderstorms with lightning, hail, etc.) or a non-weather related community threat. A weather forecast of rain, cold weather or wind would not meet these conditions. Parents and guardians are always encouraged to exercise their best judgment in determining whether or not weather conditions are safe and/or convenient for Trick or Treating. For more information or future dates, visit the City website online at www.westerville.org/beggarsnight.
