Taylor Farm Park opens in New Albany as part of conversion project

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- New Albany farmland dating back to the 1800s is being modified into a park, with a portion already available to visit.

Taylor Farm Park opened to the public after phase one of the project was recently completed. The park is located on the Taylor Farm site -- a nearly 100-acre tract of land -- at 5526 E. Dublin Granville Road.

Adrienne Joly, New Albany Director of Administrative Services, said that part of the offerings available with the park's opening include a strong environmental component with wetlands on the site, a large bird population for birdwatching, an adventure playground, and walking space. And, she said there's more to come.

"Our objective with the park is to offer a variety of experiences for residents," Joly said.

Taylor Farm Park will later bring a community garden, restroom facility, and storage building for gardeners to store equipment, according to Joly. There will also be an expansion of parking, the introduction of additional boardwalks, more landscaping, and the creation of birdhouses and bat houses.

Another development phase for the park would focus on a specific part of the existing property, the director hinted.

"There is a third stage, it's not funded yet, but the idea is to look at what the potential for the reuse of the historic farmhouse could be," Joly said.

She said that they would then consider adding a barn for event space that could host community events and programs.

The City of New Albany website asked visitors to remember that the Taylor Farm project is a work in progress, and won't appear complete upon the opening of phase one. Crews will continue construction while visitors are allowed in the open portion of the park.

In total, the project will create 24 acres of forested wetland and 10 acres of emergent wetland. Additionally, there will be around 10 acres of upland buffer planted and restored, and five acres of forested buffer preserved. The restored wetlands will be designed for seasonal features that will be wet in the winter and spring but drier during the late summer and early autumn months.

Joly said that the community gardens and restroom building laid out in phase two are tentatively expected to be done early this summer and that the rest of the phase will be completed in early fall. There is currently no schedule for phase three.