The first phase of community outreach for the master planning process of Fancyburg Park has returned valuable insights, with over 900 residents providing feedback. This information will be instrumental in helping guide UA Parks & Rec on the future development of the park to better meet the needs of the community.

What Residents Love About Fancyburg Park

The survey highlighted several aspects of Fancyburg Park that residents hold in high regard.

• Natural Spaces and Trails: Many respondents appreciate the park’s natural areas, shaded play zones, walking paths, and biking trails.
• Playground and Sports Facilities: The park’s playground, tennis courts, and pickleball courts are particularly popular. Residents enjoy the open spaces and sports fields, which cater to a variety of recreational needs.
• Community Gathering: Fancyburg Park is respected as a friendly community space, fostering social interactions and connections among residents.
• Location and Accessibility: Its proximity to homes and ease of access are crucial for many, enhancing the park’s role within the neighborhood.
• Size and Open Space: The large open spaces and mature trees are key highlights for many park-goers. The park’s size allows for a range of activities, from playground fun to peaceful strolls.
• Variety of Activities: The diverse range of features, including toddler-friendly play areas, nature spaces, sports facilities, and walking trails, ensures there is something for everyone.

Areas for Improvement

While the park is well-loved, residents have shared ideas for enhancements.

• Nature and Environmental Focus: Many residents advocate for increased natural areas, unpaved trails, and native plantings. Suggestions include preserving wooded areas, expanding natural play spaces for children, and adding more shaded areas and nature trails.
• Modern Amenities: Requests for modern features include year-round restrooms and an updated playground. There is also interest in additional benches and better drainage on fields.
• Safety and Accessibility: Residents expressed interest in improved safety and accessibility for all users including improved crosswalks and sidewalk access on Kioka Avenue and better lighting for nighttime use.
• Recreational Enhancements: The addition of more pickleball courts, separation of tennis and pickleball courts to reduce noise, and repurposing underutilized spaces like shuffleboard courts were suggested.
• Parking and Infrastructure: Increased off-street parking, renovation or removal of the park service area, and year-round restrooms are among the infrastructure improvements requested.
• Community and Aesthetic Features: Residents suggest enhancing community spaces with sheltered areas, art installations by local artists, and better utilization of underused spaces.
• Splash Pad: Many residents expressed an interest in incorporating a splash pad into Fancyburg Park. This is an amenity that will need further study as part of the master planning process. Splash pads require extensive infrastructure and have a significant impact on the adjacent uses. It will be important to consider this amenity alongside the rest of the input received regarding the park to make sure uses are appropriate to the scale and setting of the park.

Overall, the feedback emphasizes the importance of balancing modern amenities while maintaining the park’s natural charm. Throughout the fall of 2024, the Edge Group, a Columbus-based landscape architecture and urban design firm contracted by UA Parks & Rec, will begin developing ideas for Fancyburg Park. The goal will be to enhance the park’s versatility and appeal, ensuring it remains a welcoming space for all community members by blending recreational opportunities with the beauty of its natural surroundings.

For more information about the Fancyburg Park Master Plan, click here.