Good news has arrived for Worthington!

Project Community Park Worthington is thrilled to announce a major update regarding the 38-acre property that has been at the center of our efforts, commonly referred to as “UMCH” – the United Methodist Children’s Home site.

As you may recall, in 2022 Lifestyle Communities (LC) filed a lawsuit against the City of Worthington. On Friday, December 27, 2024, a federal court firmly, clearly, and unequivocally ruled against LC, and in Worthington’s favor. In short, we – the City of Worthington – won.

LC does have the option to appeal the case. We think this would be a waste of time and money for all parties. We believe that it must be the ideas and interests of the community that determine the outcome at this unique piece of land in the heart of our equally unique city.

Thanks to citizens like you, and the advocacy of community groups like Worthington Alliance for Responsible Development (WARD) and PCPW, we have prevented inappropriate overdevelopment from taking place on this site – from a Giant Eagle and gas station, to a 700-unit apartment/condo development with very little usable green space.

For over a decade, citizens have made their voices heard to inspire an alternative mixed-use vision for the UMCH property, for the enjoyment and well-being of all, now and in perpetuity.

Thank you for your support of our shared vision and mission. All the best to you and yours as we move forward into the new year!

Project Community Park Worthington


Read more about the ruling:

Lifestyle’s Lawsuit Against Worthington is Resolved in Our Favor
https://davidrobinsonblog.com/2024/12/lifestyles-lawsuit-against-worthington-is-resolved-in-our-favor/
“I am proud of our City for standing firm upon the basic principle that we, as a community, and not outside financial interests, have the right to control our own future, within and through the law.”

Worthington notches legal win in protracted battle with Lifestyle Communities over UMCH site (article accessible to Dispatch subscribers)
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/12/31/lifestyles-loses-suit-against-worthington-over-large-development/77317911007/
“Surveys have shown that residents value abundant green space and parklands and would oppose development that hinders the environment, traffic, and overcrowding of schools, among other issues.”