Columbus Recreation And Parks Foundation

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

Kathryn Dobbs

Chief Marketing Officer, Columbus Blue Jackets

Tom Merritt

President, HR Gray & Associates

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