About
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation (CRP Foundation) is a private not for profit organization, which exists to further the mission of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD): to connect the people of our community through the power of nature, wellness, and creativity.
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The organization’s purpose is to support the philanthropic initiatives of CRPD. The CRP Foundation works hand-in-hand with the department, community stakeholders, and the City of Columbus to ensure all residents have access to recreational programs, facilities, places, and spaces that make their lives and communities great.
What We Do
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department stewards more than 14,500 acres of green space. With more than 380 parks, 29 community centers, 5 athletic complexes, 6 golf courses and 120 miles of regional trails, the vision to ensure every resident has access to all of the department’s many services is bold.
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Tax dollars play an important role in our parks and recreation facilities. However, they alone cannot provide all of the funds needed to maintain and improve vital community services and programs. The establishment of the CRP Foundation fulfills the recommendation to expand partnership opportunities as recommended by the 2014 Master Plan. The CRP Foundation, independent but collaborative in spirit, focuses on leveraging public-private partnerships and philanthropic gifts
Get Involved
Board of Directors
Nicholas Jones
Director, Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Tom Merritt
President, HR Gray & Associates
Brian Pauquette
Director, Corporate Citizenship, Nationwide
Kimber Perfect
Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Andrew J. Ginther (ex officio)
Paul Rakosky
Interim Director, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (ex officio)
Karla Rothan
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Commissioner (ex officio)
Boomer Schmidt
Executive Director
Randy Ware
Managing Director of Real Estate and Workplace Services, AEP
Contact Columbus Recreation And Parks Foundation
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(614) 645-2754