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  Sports and Recreation Focus Group Orientation Binder

  Ten Input Ideas for Sports and Recreation  Thousands of ideas were generated and all will be considered by the Focus Group.
  
  1  Dwayne - Juneteenth.
  Have more fitness expos and other fitness related attractions like the Arnold Classic that draw people to Columbus and expose our citizens to many forms of exercise.
  2  Al - Latino Festival.
  All communities need soccer field and a central backyard where the property belongs to their respective owners but everyone could use it.
  3  Laura M. - Greek Festival.
  Continue building walking/biking trails throughout all the communities so they connect up and allow people to get to all parts of the city by walking, biking or running.
  4  Ronnie O. - Youth Forum.
  We need to bring in another professional team like a basketball team that is centered in Columbus.
  5  Derek G - Jazz & Rib Fest.
  Encourage healthy lifestyle events, activities and people who are Columbusites. More outdoor activities with the Parks and Rec services.
  6  Jollene - Juneteenth.
  Offer a range of recreational programs tied in through the schools so that kids from the same neighborhoods can play together against teams from all over the city in Rec Centers.
  7  Billie - Arts Festival.
  The city should organize a citywide or even region wide sports festival for the summer that allows participants of all ages to take part in. There should be many sports and you could tabulate scores by neighborhood or area of the city to provide some friendly competition.
  8  Susan - Farmers Market.
  There should be a huge soccer tournament around the city with professional games mixed in to draw people from all over the country.
  9  Ellen - Jazz & Rib Fest.
  More community activities, more PARKS that feel safe and have a family oriented atmosphere and more recreation centers with activities for all ages.
  10  Caitlin - Arts Festival.
  Offer free or discounted programs similar to weight watchers along with discounted gym memberships. Community sports tournaments - similar to kickball at the statehouse. Make this more common.
  

Sports and Recreation

Focus Area Members:

Member	Organization
Gene Smith (Chair)	The Ohio State University Athletic Department
Kathy Espy (Chair)	Columbus Recreation & Parks Commission
Linda Logan (Chair)	Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Andrea Cambern	WBNS-10TV
Archie Griffin	The Ohio State University Alumni Association
Clark Kellogg	CBS Sports
Dan Ross	The Ohio High School Athletic Association
David Key	Key Body & Fitness
Jim Lorimer	Arnold Fitness Weekend
John Bickley	Central Ohio YMCA
Katie Smith	WNBA Detroit Shock
Kip Witchey	Dublin Scioto Athletic Director
Mark McCullers	Columbus Crew
Mike Collins	Promotions One
Mike Rotonda	Columbus City Schools
Ryan Miller	M2 Marketing

Meetings:	Work Session 1 - Notes
	Work Session 2 - Notes
	Work Session 3 - Notes

Focus Area Description: Columbus has grown in the variety of professional and amateur sports that are supported in the city, as well as the breadth and variety of recreational facilities and opportunities. This focus group will consider new ways in which Columbus can expand such offerings, support additional professional and amateur sports, and build the finest recreational system in America.

Key Question: What does Columbus need to offer a complete array of professional, amateur, and recreational sporting opportunities and facilities?

Public Input about the Focus Area: Recreation and sports comments from respondents related to creating a healthier lifestyle for citizens. Many comments tied the need to exercise to remain healthy with the need to have affordable and accessible fitness facilities. Specifically contributors want to improve the quality of existing recreational facilities or have new one’s built within their community. Beyond facilities, comments also indicate an opportunity to promote more sports related activities within the city and to the region as a whole. From amateur tournaments to professional sporting events, respondents believe Columbus can increase the number of sports and recreation events within the city.

Public Input Themes for the Focus Area:

1.Construct new multi-purpose trails and improve connectivity to existing routes. Respondents want to see more multi-purpose trails that connect throughout the city so citizens can run, walk, bike or rollerblade to any area of the city. Contributors comment on how popular existing trails are and how important it is to connect sections to additional parts of the city so more people have access to them.
2. Promote activities related to sports and fitness. Many contributors see the need to increase the number of sports and fitness opportunities within the community. Several contributors discuss the need to have sports festivals for city residents. These types of events can increase the amount of citizens who participate in sports and fitness activities. Other comments relate to bringing in specific sports events that can draw from a regional level like amateur sports tournaments. These can become a tourism draw as well as expose more visitors to what Columbus has to offer.
3. Increase inclusive, affordable community fitness activities. Contributors see a tie between health and the availability and affordability of fitness activities. Respondents want to see recreational activities that are open to everyone in the community and can help to build relationships between diverse groups of people. Also, fitness activities should be affordable for everyone.
4. Provide more pools, playgrounds, and youth recreation activities. Contributors want to see more pools, playgrounds, and recreation opportunities throughout the city. Many comments relate to upgrading existing facilities to more modern designs while others simply want more amenities offered in their neighborhoods.
5. Host more sport and fitness attractions including professional sporting events. Respondents see an opportunity to attract additional professional sporting events like the NCAA basketball tournament or fitness conventions similar to the Arnold Classic. Also, citizens want to see Columbus add an additional professional sports team.

Think Outside the Box...