Updated Project Components
This project is a grand vision to visually and economically transform the City of Chillicothe, Ross County, and the entire region by transforming the City of Chillicothe’s “central park,” Yoctangee Park. These improvements are intended to enhance Ross County’s status as a global destination for historical and cultural tourism by continuing to advance the vibrancy of Chillicothe’s downtown core.
Background
Located inside Downtown Chillicothe and having been a park space for over 150 years, Yoctangee Park is quite literally the center of community life in the City. Tens of thousands of residents and visitors each year enjoy the park’s numerous amenities. However, as in many similar City “central parks” of this size and scale, several existing amenities are in need of a refresh for the modern era and new offerings are needed for the park to fulfill its full potential. In 2022, the City underwent a year-long planning process involving hundreds of residents, stakeholders, and community leaders to develop the City’s first comprehensive plan since 1948, as well as set a roadmap for how the City should respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
That comprehensive plan, Choose Chillicothe, identified the transformation of Yoctangee Park as far and away the most desired improvement residents and businesses wished to see for the City. In addition, the comprehensive plan also set out a vision for the city to create the “Riverside District” out of several parcels of City-owned land immediately east of Yoctangee Park to attract a modern multi-story mixed use development to Chillicothe. Furthermore, the September 18th, 2023 inscription of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will bring the world to Ross County’s doorstep. With a 75% to 100% increase in the number of new visitors that is projected to occur following this designation over the next 3 years, upgrading the City’s core downtown assets to serve these visitors while ensuring residents continue to enjoy a high quality of life is the highest priority of both the City and County.
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Phases
Pavilion
Note: Dates listed are not reflective of actual construction timelines
This facility has been carefully considered and included input from the farmers’ market board of directors as well as festival and community leaders. The new pavilion area will feature new usable space and walking paths of around 55,000 square feet. Over 50% of this will be dedicated green space! Hardscape areas directly around the pavilion will offer flexible public spaces suitable for a variety of events, including the farmers market and seasonal festivals. The space will also accommodate vendors with trailers, allowing them to enter, park, and exit easily and safely during festivals and events.
Removable safety bollards will be installed along the curbs and streetscape. These bollards can be unlocked and removed to allow traffic through, while locked bollards enable portions of Enderlin Circle to be closed off to vehicles during larger public events.
The landscape design surrounding the pavilion incorporates native trees for both shade and screening. The design helps frame the view of the armory as visitors enter the park.
