16-02-2025
Columbus debuts new park honoring ties to the Underground Railroad
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The city came together Saturday morning to honor the history of Alum Creek Trail and the role it played in enslaved people's journey to freedom.
'That really was an effective place for slaves to move throughout that river corridor along Alum Creek to freedom,' said Bernita Reese, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library and Columbus Recreation and Parks came together to announce The North Star Project.
'It was all about moving north, people moving north. How did they move north? It was all built off the brightness of the star,' Reese said.
In the first phase of the project, they revealed plans for a new park. It will take inspiration from the North Star and its galaxy. Reese said they want to bring attention to how it was used to help people escaping slavery to find their way north.
'I think it's so important that first of all we know our history but also that we are moving forward,' she said.
The park will be across the street from the Shepard branch of the library, and organizers plan to transform it into a space for playing and educating.
'It will have a reflective area that we'll look at. People will be able to come and really sit and think. There will be QR codes along this park corridor that people can really educate themselves and learn more about the Underground Railroad,' Reese said.
It's also right next to a trailhead for Alum Creek Trail, which was a route on the Underground Railroad. Reese said each year there will be new installations along the trail for people to learn more about the journey.
'We want to look at conductors. We want to look at conductors' wives. We want to look at some other opportunities that have been presented within the state of Ohio,' Reese said.
Reese said an official time is not set yet, but they are hoping to start the park in 2026.
'We want the community involved. We want the community to be able to give us feedback,' she said.
Columbus Metropolitan Library has been hosting programs about the Underground Railroad in central Ohio all month. You can learn more about those here.
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