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Feb. 5, 2025
Contact: Dominique Shank, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 614-512-0049
Honoring the History of the Alum Creek Trail: Columbus Recreation and Parks Partners with Columbus Metropolitan Library for Historic Project
COLUMBUS, OH – Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, in collaboration with Columbus Metropolitan Library, is proud to unveil an inspiring initiative celebrating the Alum Creek Trail’s historical significance as part of the journey to freedom for many African Americans. This groundbreaking project will transform the Alum Creek corridor into an interactive and reflective space, designed to educate, inspire and engage the community while honoring a pivotal chapter in American history.
The North Star Project enriches the Alum Creek Trail with storytelling installations that honor its role in the journey to freedom for many African Americans. New educational installations will be unveiled annually during Black History Month for a period of time, creating a dynamic, evolving space for learning and recreation along the Alum Creek Trail.
The first phase of this initiative will debut on Saturday, Feb. 15, during the library’s Shepard History Day. Plans for a new park adjacent to the library’s Shepard Branch will be revealed, showcasing features such as educational installations, playground equipment and a reflective area that make learning about history an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.
Local leaders from the Brittney Hills and Shepard neighborhoods have been instrumental in the project’s development, ensuring the initiative reflects and respects the community’s history.
“This project preserves the powerful stories of courage displayed by those who assisted freedom seekers,” said Bernita A. Reese, M.S., CPRP, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “It will not only provide a space for education and reflection but also foster meaningful, interactive experiences for families and individuals.”
The project, which is supported with funds from the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, will further its educational mission through a partnership with the library’s Shepard Branch, which will launch a new Underground Railroad collection for all ages when the park opens next year.
“Columbus Metropolitan Library is thrilled to collaborate on this important project,” said Lauren Hagan, CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Library. “By leveraging our research and exhibits about the Underground Railroad, we’re ensuring that this park is a historically accurate and immersive resource for the community.”
This initiative underscores the Alum Creek corridor’s role as a hub for learning, reflection and recreation. Its proximity to the Shepard Branch seamlessly integrates historical education with outdoor activities, fostering a deeper connection to the past while embracing the future.
Be a Part of Sharing Our History
During Shepard History Day, community members, city leaders and historians are invited to share their insights and help shape the vision of this landmark project. Stop by to learn more about the North Star Project, see several concepts for the playground and provide input on the playground's selected features.
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When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025
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Where: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Shepard Branch, 850 N. Nelson Road, 43219
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Time: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to participate in all of the Shephard History Day activities. See a full schedule of events.
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