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We invite you to enjoy a vibrant park district with an abundance of sports and recreational opportunities.
Operated by New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District, NA Parks annually serves the 5300 families residing within the New Albany-Plain Local School District, the Village of New Albany, and Plain Township.
Consisting of more than 200 acres of parkland, the park district offers 38 baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields. Complexes at Bevelhymer Park and Thompson Park provide seven tennis courts and one basketball court, walking trails, playgrounds, pavilions, and concession stands. The Wexner Community Park, available for family gatherings as well as community events, offers a pavilion with fireplace, warming kitchen, restrooms, and adjacent playground and lawn space.
NA Parks and Recreation Director, and his staff oversee the day-to-day operations and maintenance of all grounds. The staff works out of a 3900-square-foot office and equipment facility in the middle of Bevelhymer Park. Through meticulous planning and aggressive saving, the park district built the office building without incurring any debt.
The primary source of funding is a permanent operating levy passed in November 2000 by the residents of the park district. The original .75 mill has rolled back and is currently at .53 mill—this will currently provide roughly $495,000. These funds are used for all operating costs including utilities, equipments, wages, and supplies. The permanent operating levy is also the source of funds for capital improvements or purchases.
Participant fees from the various leagues provide a secondary income source. New Albany Parks & Recreation receives $40 of each registrant fee. These funds are applied to pay wages for staff members who support the leagues, as well as supplies and equipment needed to prepare the grounds for league play. The balance of the registration fee is used by the leagues to cover uniforms, officials, equipment purchases, league fees, insurance, and sometimes capital improvements.
In 2003 and 2004, the community demonstrated its support by passing bond issues which provided the park district with $11,000,000 to purchase and develop park land and athletic surfaces. All development that was allociated with the bond funds has been completed.
Enriching the quality of community life by providing recreational programs and leisure opportunities, well-maintained parks and facilities, and services delivered in a safe, cost-effective manner.
By 1994, the New Albany community was taking shape as a premier destination in central Ohio. To find a way to meet the recreation needs of a rapidly growing community, New Albany Parks Commission chaired a Focus Group made up of two representatives each from Plain Township, the Village of New Albany, and the NAPL School District in order to determine the feasibility of creating a parks district.
In 1999, the Township, Village, and the School District each appointed one representative to establish a Joint Park District which essentially mirrors the boundaries of the school district. Stan Harris, Keith Karr, and Jon Yarger were appointed as founding Trustees. Officially known as New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District (JPD), in 2008 the JPD began operating as New Albany Parks & Recreation.
New Albany Parks & Recreation began with about 150 children participating in four sports on seven leased fields. Today, more than 3700 participants take advantage annually of the league sports coordinated through NA Parks. The park district boasts three park complexes located on 200 acres and offering 38 baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields.
In addition to playing fields, complexes at Bevelhymer Park and Thompson Park provide seven tennis courts and one basketball court, walking trails, playgrounds, pavilions, and concession stands. The Wexner Community Park, available for family gatherings as well as community events, offers a pavilion with fireplace, warming kitchen, restrooms, and adjacent playground and lawn space.
New Albany Parks & Recreation is operated by New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District and directed by a six-person Board of Trustees. Each trustee represents one of the entities which formed the Park District: City of New Albany, Plain Township, New Albany-Plain Local School District. The Trustees hold public meetings at the parks and recreation office on the first Monday of each month at NA Parks Office located at 7860 Bevelhymer Road.
Local sports leagues began to grow at a fast rate.
The New Albany Company donated to the Village of New Albany 55 acres at Bevelhymer for NA Parks to meet increased demand for facilities.
Moved its office from the schools to an office on Market Street.
Went to the voters in February 2003 to ask voters to approve a .60 mill bond issue to raise capital funds ($5 Million) to develop the donated land that was needed for more field space.
Hired a staff member to be the Recreation Supervisor to all of our local sports leagues.
Started construction of the new Thompson Park to add seven athletic fields, five tennis courts, two playgrounds, an open air pavilion, a permanent restroom/concession stand, and walking trails and paths throughout the park.
Added a staff member to assist residents registering for sports and to perform book keeping.
Started the development of Thompson Park, an active 40-acre park.
In November of 2004, the community overwhelmingly passed a bond issue of .72 mill. Funds were used to buy and develop another 55 acres directly next to existing leased 72 acres at Bevelhymer Park.
Formed an agreement with a local investor to create an indoor tennis facility at no additional tax dollars at Thompson Park, by constructing bubbles over the existing tennis facility.
Thompson Park was completed and opened for the community to use.
Purchased 16 acres and received a donation of 39 acres directly next to Bevelhymer Park.
Design of the new expansion at Bevelhymer was completed and construction began on the new piece of the park.
Added a new staff member to the team, the Parks Supervisor.
Working to complete the new Bevelhymer Park Expansion was the priority for 2006. The project was 90 percent completed in the fall of 2006.
Began the planning for a new office at Bevelhymer Park.
With the expansion complete, Bevelhymer Park becomes a 135-acre sports complex. The expansion adds nine athletic fields, four baseball/softball fields, three parking lots, paths and trails throughout the park, a permanent restroom/concession stand, and a pond.
Construction of the new office, located in the center of Bevelhymer Park, is completed in August.
Implemented online registration process
Added surveillance equipment for Bevelhymer Park security
Added programming: Field Hockey
The Board was increased from three members to six members
Added doors to the west side of the Wexner Community Pavilion to provide extra protection from the elements for the users of the pavilion
Installed irrigation in the north orange soccer zone in partnership with the New Albany Youth Soccer League.
Added dugouts, scoreboard, sound system, and fencing to baseball yellow zone field #1 in partnership with the New Albany Little League
Installed new well and pump system at Thompson Park
Seal coated and patched parking lot at Thompson Park
Installed the Thorguard lightening prediction system at Bevelhymer and Thompson Parks
Connected path to The Preserve subdivision at Thompson Park
Installed new well pump and motor at Bevelhymer Park-Yellow Zone
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2012 Pelotonia
Thompson Park becomes home to Crew Juniors
Added new programming: TryRugby, JumpBunch, Adult Cornhole, 9th-10th grade basketball
Partnered with the Farmers Market to provide Team Volleyball
Facility maintenance included: Painting Wexner pavilion, Baseball concession, and Thompson Park concession; tiled the floor and walls in the Wexner Pavilion warming kitchen and bathrooms, seal coated and patched the parking lots and paths in the Green and Yellow Zones at Bevelhymer Park
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2013 Pelotonia
New programming: Youth volleyball, adult volleyball league, added grades 11-12 to HS basketball
Summer movie series: June-The Goonies, July-Sandlot
Partnered with New Albany Little League to add solar shades on dugouts and install outfield fence on Red 2
Partnered with New Albany Little League and New Albany Lacrosse Association to install irrigation in the purple/red zone fields
Facility maintenance included: Seal coated and patched the parking lots and walking paths in the purple and orange zones, added mulch to all the playgrounds, new trash cans at the Wexner Pavilion, repairs to the soccer concession stand due to vandalism
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2014 Pelotonia
New playground installed at Thompson Park
New Programming: Fall softball returned, summer running camp, High School bowling program
Partnered with Eagle Pizza to expand Summer movie series to three movies: June-The Incredibles, July-The Lego Movie, August-Back to the Future
Partnership with Tiger Rugby at Bevelhymer Park
Partnered with the New Albany Football League to build a new storage barn
Partnered with New Albany Little League for the Red 1 infield conversion to grass and additional irrigation
Added bleachers at Bevelhymer Park
Facility maintenance included: Seal coated and patched the Red Zone parking lot, extensive irrigation repairs at Thompson Park, new fountain for the pond at Bevelhymer Park
New Programming: Youth fitness (January-February)
Launched new website and added mobile registration
New electronic playground (NEOS) installed at Thompson Park
Partnered with New Albany Youth Soccer to install a new playground in the Orange Zone at Bevelhymer Park
Partnered with New Albany Little League to add top dressing to 6 fields
Partnered with New Albany Little League to expand the use of one of the ball fields
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2015 Pelotonia
New Programming: Chess, medical school camp, MS girls basketball, 1st Annual 3v3 Slamboree
Connector completed linking Bevelhymer Park to Rocky Fork Metro Parks
In-ground irrigation installed at Thompson Park
Community supported a replacement of the New Albany Plain Local Joint Parks District Operating Levy to .75 mills
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2016 Pelotonia
New Programming: Eagle Enrichment at the school after the school day
Installed outdoor FITness Equipment and Stations (“Muscle Beach”) with the help of a $10,000 grant.
Installed safety lighting at Thompson and Bevelhymer Parks.
Partnered with a community group to create New Albany Miracle League
Host to the 50 mile finish for the 2017 Pelotonia
March 2020, COVID Pandemic hit. Park Facilities stayed open for residents to enjoy walking and being outside during the pandemic
New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation was established
Completed the Michael Lucy Memorial Basketball Courts at Bevelhymer Park Blue Zone
Host to the Inaugural New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation Family Fun Day
New Albany Miracle League hosted its inaugural OPENING DAY at Swickard Woods Community Park
Host to the Inaugural New Albany Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat at Bevelhymer Park
Host to the Annual New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation Family Fun Day and 5K Run
Host to the 57 mile finish for the 2022 Pelotonia
Facility Maintenance Included: Seal and coat the Blue and Green Parking lots at Bevelhymer Park
To meet the needs of our community, we must be able to repair and maintain our facilities to keep them safe for our participants to enjoy.
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Welcome to New Albany Parks & Recreation. We invite you to enjoy a vibrant park district with an abundance of sports and recreational opportunities. Operated by New Albany-Plain Local Joint Park District, NA Parks annually serves the 5300 families residing within the New Albany-Plain Local School District, the Village of New Albany, and Plain Township.
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