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
Pickleball
Note: Dates listed are not reflective of actual construction timelines
A total of six regulation-size courts will be installed with a professionally painted surface and regulation court lines. Each court will be equipped with a professional-grade netting and post system.
Surrounding the court boundaries will be a new 42-inch high chain-link fence with gates to ensure secure and organized access. Additionally, an ADA-accessible walking path will be added to connect the existing parking lot with the shelter, pickleball courts, and tennis courts, making the entire area more inclusive and easier to navigate for all visitors.
These courts will be located right next to the existing tennis courts, which groups these similar activities together very purposefully and will be convenient for players who enjoy this space. The existing skatepark will not go away, but will be updated and in a different location within the park. The city will post updates once the new location is solidified!