The City of Hilliard is set to authorize the transfer of 333 acres of land to Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks, expanding Homestead Metro Park and adding hundreds of acres of natural space in the Big Darby Creek watershed.
The transfer was introduced to Hilliard City Council on Sept. 14 and is expected to be approved at the Sept. 28 council meeting, following years of planning and collaboration between the City, developers and Metro Parks. The land is connected by shared-use paths and will be naturalized by Metro Parks in a manner consistent with best practices for the Big Darby watershed.
The transfer represents the culmination of the City’s long-standing approach to preserving open space while guiding planned and responsible growth in the community.
In 2023, Hilliard City Council established a policy requiring that 70% of land in new developments remain open space. This policy exceeds the 50% open space standards required in other communities that belong to the Big Darby Accord.
Through the open space requirement and development agreements with M/I Homes (Hill Farm and Hill Farm II), Fischer Homes (Clover Meadows), and Pulte Homes and Rockford Homes (Tarlton Meadows), the City assembled the land that will soon become part of the Metro Parks system.
“This is the result of years of thoughtful planning and collaboration. By prioritizing open space as our community grows, we have created an opportunity to permanently preserve hundreds of acres of land and expand access to nature for generations to come. We’re proud to partner with Metro Parks to ensure this land remains a community asset and an important part of the Big Darby area,” Assistant City Manager Dan Ralley said.
The expanded parkland adds to the network of natural areas within the Big Darby Creek watershed, an area that has drawn significant attention as development continues in western Franklin County.
The transfer demonstrates how thoughtful development and preservation can work together, creating new housing opportunities while also permanently protecting significant areas of open space.
“This project is an absolute example of how communities can come together to do amazing things that will have a permanent impact not only on the environment, but on the communities we serve. The partnership between the City of Hilliard and Metro Parks will have a long-lasting impact not only on Hilliard, but on the region and beyond,” said Tim Moloney, executive director of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
M/I Homes played a key role in assembling much of the land through its Hill Farm and Hill Farm II developments.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to work with the City to create developments that complement Hilliard’s vision for the future. Through this collaboration, we’ve been able to help connect and preserve open space while also meeting the needs of a growing community. We’re proud that the work at Hill Farm and Hill Farm II has created a lasting benefit for residents and the community,” said Josh Barkan, division president of M/I Homes.
Once transferred, Metro Parks will manage and naturalize the land, creating an expanded Homestead Metro Park that will provide additional opportunities for residents to experience nature in one of central Ohio’s most environmentally significant areas.
Metro Parks envisions the expanded area as a place where visitors can experience the natural features of the Big Darby watershed, including wetlands, native prairies and forests. While Homestead Metro Park will continue to offer its existing recreational opportunities, the new land will emphasize conservation and more passive experiences with nature, potentially including boardwalks, natural-surface trails and opportunities for visitors to explore and appreciate the area’s diverse ecosystems.
