Beginning on Monday, February 28, access to Scioto Audubon Metro Park and the Whittier Peninsula will be significantly limited for a continuous 14 days as the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) begins the initial phase of reconstruction work on Interstate 70 and 71 Downtown.
Access to the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, private businesses, and utilities on the Whittier Peninsula will be maintained during the 14 days of limited access. Specific access points and a portion of the Scioto Trail will be completely closed during this 14-day period as well but will reopen on March 15.
The two-week limited access and closure of portions of the Scioto Trail will allow ODOT to safely and efficiently mobilize equipment and stockpile materials that will be needed in the demolition of existing bridges and construction of new bridges associated with the project. While during this two-week period there will be a major impact to park guests, normal use of the park will be far less impacted over time by allowing for a high volume of deliveries of material and equipment in a short period of time. It is anticipated a significant number of large trucks will be deployed to assist in these deliveries, creating potential safety concerns for park guests.
Metro Parks has worked with ODOT to temporarily allow stockpiling of materials at the existing Scioto Audubon Metro Park dog park to facilitate this major construction project that will benefit all of Central Ohio. ODOT provided funding for the construction of a larger and improved 3-acre dog park near the park office on West Whittier Street that will partially reopen with the closing of the existing dog park. The new dog park will be completed in late spring of this year but portions will be open for use once the existing dog park is permanently closed.
For questions or inquiries regarding construction updates on this project, please contact the ODOT designated ODOT construction line at 740.833.8268 during business hours 7:30AM to 4:30PM.
For additional information on the ODOT project and phases of construction, click here.
Metro Parks team members will monitor the situation and take appropriate actions to facilitate safety of guests, Metro Park team members and contractors during the two-week period. For any and all questions and concerns related to Metro Parks, email info@metroparks.net or visit metroparks.net.
The article says the new dog part will partially reopen. Has it been opened? When did it close?
Hi, Robert! Thank you for reaching out to Metro Parks. With the old dog park closing, and the new dog park has been partially opened in phases. The new dog park, closer to the entrance of the park and near the park office on West Whittier Street will be completed in late spring of this year.
When will there be closures of the Scioto trail? Particularly, when will the trail from Scioto Audubon be blocked off from the rest of the Scioto trail?
Hi, David! Thank you for reaching out to Metro Parks. The two-week limited access will occur beginning Monday, February 28, which includes closures of the Scioto Trail. Specific access points and a portion of the Scioto Trail will be completely closed during this 14-day period as well but will reopen on March 15. We encourage you to take note of any signage, as well as sign up to get text alerts on your cell phone for Greenway Trail closings, hazards and construction information. Text “Greenways” to 1.781.728.9542 or go to https://mobile-text-alerts.com/metroparks and select “Greenways.”
Is the Climbing wall at Scioto Audubon closed during this period? If so, when it opens, will the auto belays be hooked back up for the spring and summer season immediately?
Hi, Paul. The climbing wall is still open. Two of the auto belays are already back up and the others will hopefully be up by the end of the month.
Is there anyone involved that will be certified by SMART Dog Park? (smartdogpark.com)
Hi Beth, Thank you for reaching out to Metro Parks. We encourage you to call the Scioto Audubon Metro Park on-duty Park Ranger cell phone at 614.230.7191 regarding your questions.