Wilson Road Trailhead

The Wilson Road Trailhead combines a sense of community and utility to the area. It gives cyclists traveling across the state on the Ohio to Erie Bike Trail a chance to rejuvenate while bringing a sense of community to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Challenge

The new Wilson Road Trailhead park serves as a major trailhead for the Camp Chase Rail Trail, a segment of the statewide Ohio to Erie Trail. WSA and MKSK worked closely with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and facilitated community meetings. Based on community input, the 47-acre park includes an open-air shelter with picnic tables, bike racks, and a bike-repair station. Its sustainable build includes solar panels to provide power and redevelopment of a brownfield site.

Solution

This park was the first new park on the near west side of Columbus in 15 years. It serves to connect the community to downtown and to the rest of the state through its connection to the Ohio-to-Erie Trail. The project received the 2017 AIA Ohio Honor Award.

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before and after
our engagement.

SOLAR PANEL This powers the lights in the area making the pavilion self-sustaining and off the grid.

BIKE REPAIR STATION The shelter is meant to be a stop on the trail. Much like a gas station, this shelter gives its users the opportunity to repair and be on their way.

BIKE SIGN As route 40 is to car travelers, this bike trail is to cyclists. The “BIKE” sign is inspired by neon signs seen on Route 40 to draw attention. It’s appealing to a traveler seeking to leave a smaller footprint.

COMMUNITY Of equal, if not of more importance to the success of this space is the sense of community it encourages. A group of cyclists can reacquaint here and that’s the entire point always: to bring people together.

Results

Overall, the trailhead combines a sense of community and utility to the area. It gives cyclists traveling across the state on the Ohio to Erie Bike Trail a chance to rejuvenate while bringing a sense of community to the surrounding neighborhoods. The Wilson Road Trailhead is bringing value to an up-and-coming neighborhood.

AIA OHIO HONOR AWARD WINNER