CREATIVE THINKING

Some of the Parks & Rec pandemic programming proved popular enough to make a comeback in 2021

By Sarah Sole / Photos by James D. DeCamp

When the pandemic prevented the City of Gahanna from holding its annual summer camp, the Parks and Recreation Department staff found a way to bring camp to the kids.

How? Camp crates, filled with interactive items including craft materials, games, coloring book pages, and nature guides. The crates were so successful, they will return this fall with new materials and activities.

The camp crates are just one example of pandemic programming that proved to be popular enough to make a return in 2021. The restrictions surrounding social gatherings and the overall concern for health and safety meant that much of what the City had planned for 2020 was put on hold, Ferrell said, and staff had to start thinking out of the box.

Last year, Gahanna offered a variety of interactive programming to encourage people to visit the city’s parks. Whether it was music preformed by ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, or one of the movies shown last year, residents loved spending time outdoors in the City's parks.

Another pandemic program that is making a return is Gahanna’s Summer Drive-in Movie & Concert series, offering four family friendly movies and five concerts throughout the summer months.

In October, the City will bring back the Gahanna Goblin Trail, an event conducted last year as a socially distanced alternative to the city’s annual Creepside Festival.

“The Goblin Trail was very well attended, and sold out quickly,” Ferrell said. “The drive-through event featured a light show, fire performers, stilt walkers, and a few surprises along the way.”

Kids and families weren’t the only ones to take advantage of some creative programming options last year.

In a format similar to a drive-in movie, Gahanna offered its older residents the chance to participate in Parking Lot Bingo, which continues to be offered through the Gahanna Senior Center. ♦