Upper Arlington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Upper Arlington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
CRC Relocation to Bob Crane Community Center
The community center blew past expectations in its first year, with 12,842 members against a projection of 3,500. That means heavy use of the facility and its programs by residents.
2026 Community Programs and Events
The committee's lineup of community events — Porch Parties, the Labor Day Arts Festival, Navratri & Diwali, and a youth mental health fair — shapes what residents can plug into this year and next.
Parks Rules
The board was scheduled to discuss rules governing use of the city's parks. Any changes would affect how residents use park facilities day to day.
Extending seasonal pool operations
The board was scheduled to review how seasonal operations, such as aquatic staffing and summer programming, performed this year.
PLAY UA Program
The board was scheduled to discuss the PLAY UA program. Residents may see changes to program offerings as a result.
Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan
The city's Master Plan process is underway, with a Parks and Recreation sub-committee that includes the board's chair and vice chair. Residents can follow the schedule and participate through public engagement opportunities.
Summer Arts Events: Arts on Arlington and Arts on the Block
Two free community events are coming this summer. Arts on the Block will skip food trucks in favor of Kingsdale restaurants like Old Bag of Nails, and staff will study expanding alcohol sales to the full event footprint.
Permanent Collection Artwork Deaccession
The city is reviewing its indoor art collection and a preliminary list flags about 35% of works — many donated or acquired decades ago — as candidates for sale or destruction under the Collection Management Policy. Nothing has been removed yet: artists would be notified and the public would have a chance to comment at a public meeting before any final recommendation.
Park Mowing Contractor Failure
Library Funding and Tremont Road Renovation
The library is planning a major Tremont Road renovation, a new Tremont roof and a Miller Park refresh, funded by its levy without debt — targeting an $8.6 million building fund by 2029. Revenue is fixed by state law and the local levy, so rising costs are a squeeze, and potential state moves to eliminate property taxes are an existential threat to library funding.
Reed Road Water Park gutter repairs
Contractors found failing gutters while jackhammering out the old pool finish. Council approved a complete structural fix now — while crews are already on site — rather than risky spot repairs, and the cost fits the existing repair budget.
ADA compliance assessment
The city has hired a firm to complete an ADA self-evaluation and transition plan covering facilities, streets, programs, the website, and employment practices.
Loss of Reading Garden Stage at Labor Day Arts Festival
The Tremont Library won't be available during this year's festival, so the Reading Garden Stage — a familiar feature — will disappear unless staff find an alternative spot within the event footprint.
Aquatics and Lifeguard Staffing Shortages
Pools struggled once student lifeguards went back to school in August, limiting late-season operations. Council floated hiring full-time lifeguards to keep pools open through Labor Day and staff the Bob Crane indoor pool year-round.