City of Pickerington

Funds are coming to Pickerington to help establish new sidewalks and to assist with two big renovation projects in Sycamore Creek Park. Governor Mike Dewine has signed House Bill 2, the capital budget bill, that will bring more than $700,000 in investments to our City.

$234,410 will be allocated for Pickerington Connects, an initiative that will develop new walkways around the City.

$350,000 was awarded for the the Zeller/Smith covered bridge project to improve the structural integrity of the bridge.

$125,000 will be used for the restoration of the Sycamore Creek Pond, where work will include the construction of a new fishing pier and boardwalk, as well as improvements to enhance water quality.

Special thanks to Senator Tim Schaffer and State Representative Jeff LaRe for their efforts in securing the funds for Pickerington and bringing taxpayer money back to Fairfield County.

It's 'Meet the Team Tuesday' and today it's Brittany's turn in the spotlight. Each week we're introducing you to a member of Team Pickerington and highlighting their role in our organization.

Our previous post had a comprehensive guide to parking, road closures, etc. Here's a shorter version and some key takeaways for this year's celebration:

Fireworks are launching 30 minutes earlier this year.

Victory Park and Park Alley will be CLOSED. Fencing will be around the park and police will be present.

There are viewing opportunities along Opportunity Way, but parking at PHSC will be first come, first served.

The parade will be the same as previous years.

We are doing all we can to make this a safe and enjoyable celebration and we appreciation your cooperation.

It’s time to celebrate freedom and the independence of the United States! As always, the City of Pickerington will be holding its annual celebration and we want to make sure this year’s events are both safe and enjoyable. Please see the general information below regarding the fireworks display and parade.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY INFORMATION:
The City’s fireworks display is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 3rd, RAIN OR SHINE. There will not be a rain date. There will be changes made to viewing areas in the downtown area this year. Because of past events that have caused safety concerns, VICTORY PARK WILL BE CLOSED. There will be no admittance to Victory Park or Park Alley. Both will be completely closed via fencing. The following areas are recommended for viewing:

1) The back curve of Opportunity Way around Pickerington Central High School will be closed to vehicle traffic. This will be between the parking lots on the Hill Road side and Lockville Road side of the high school. People may sit on this closed portion of the road for viewing.

2) Parking at Central High School will be first come, first served. Keep in mind that since the back curve is closed, you cannot drive around Opportunity Way. If you intend to park at Central, you must enter and exit from the same side. Also, the Lockville Road side parking lot will have limited parking due to part of the lot being closed for the fireworks launch site.

3) Overflow parking will be at Ridgeview Junior High. Street parking is allowed unless posted with No Parking signs.

4) There are no organized activities at Central High School. There will be portable toilets onsite. As of today, the weather forecast for the 3rd is mostly sunny, with a high near 93 with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Please plan accordingly with water, rain gear, etc.

5) The fireworks viewing is meant to be a family event. Disorderly behavior will not be tolerated and will be strictly enforced. No personal fireworks of any kind are permitted throughout the City of Pickerington. See below for more info on personal fireworks. There will be a very large officer presence at Central High School and the surrounding areas. Bike patrol, mobile cruiser officers, and our drone unit will be constantly checking the areas as well. If you see any suspicious or disorderly behavior, please report it to an officer immediately. Parents, please know where and what your children are doing. The goal is to have and safe and enjoyable fireworks display.

See map below for closed off areas.

FIREWORKS TRAFFIC:
We ask that everyone please keep in mind that we expect thousands of people as well as hundreds of vehicles in an area where the roadways have only two lanes. It is going to take time for traffic to clear out of the area, so please be courteous and patient. We highly recommend that people who are coming to the area for the fireworks plan to travel away from (not through) the old downtown area after the display is over. By heading south on Hill Road South or Lockville Road or north on Diley Road, or any other routes that avoid the downtown area, it will help to alleviate the expected traffic congestion, and get you home faster.

PARADE INFORMATION:
The Pickerington 4th of July Parade is scheduled to begin on Thursday at 10 a.m. The parade will start at Pickerington Central High School (300 Opportunity Way). It will proceed to turn north (left) on to Lockville Road where it will turn west (left) on to East Columbus Street. From there the parade will continue towards Hill Road. Once the parade gets to the intersection of West Columbus Street & Hill Road, it will turn south (left) on to Hill Road South and then end in the parking lot of Ridgeview Junior High School (located at 130 Hill Road South).

Please note that the parade route will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. As a result, there will be no parking allowed along the parade route, at the city building, Victory Park or on Covered Bridge Lane in Sycamore Park. Please see attached parade diagram for road closure locations and traffic rerouting information.

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS INFORMATION:
Questions have been asked about whether it is legal to use Class A fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, etc.) within the City Limits. Although the Ohio State Senate passed legislation allowing the general public to use these types of fireworks around designated holidays (including July 4th), the legislation maintains a local government’s authority to keep any of their laws prohibiting the use of Class A fireworks. Like many other cities in the Columbus metro region, the City of Pickerington maintains an ordinance (Pickerington Codified Ordinance section 678.10) which prohibits the use of Class A fireworks. Only sparklers, smoke bombs, and snaps are legal.

We hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Independence Day!

Pickerington Police

See that guy in the middle? He's our favorite employee on four legs! Thanks Ofc. Baehr for bringing Foe to City Hall today. You made Ella's day!

WE ARE HIRING! We are looking forward to adding a new 911 Public Safety Dispatcher to our team. If you are interested, please apply online via the link or QR code below by 7/31/24!

Lateral transfer applicants, please contact HR for requirements and application packet.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/1574476-0/public-safety-dispatcher-i?keyword=&location=Pickerington%2C%20OH&pagetype=searchPage

Congratulations to Kroger Hill Road on today's grand re-opening celebration! After nearly four months of renovations, the store revealed $2 million in updates and improvements.

It's 'Meet the Team Tuesday' and today it's Caleb's turn in the spotlight. Each week we're introducing you to a member of Team Pickerington and highlighting their role in our organization.

We've had a dozen 'super loads' come through and now it's time for the 'MEGA loads.' They'll be moving through Pickerington Sunday and leaving Monday and will impact traffic in the areas between Brice Road and Tussing Road and SR 204 to SR 310. These loads are significantly larger and slower, so you can expect longer delays.

You can learn more about the mega loads and follow the route here: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about-us/traffic-advisories/district-9/superload

Our FREE movies start tonight and our FREE concerts start Sunday! Come out and enjoy the fun with Summer Concert Series: Chris Logsdon and Poppy's Roadside Diner!!

City Council meets tonight at 7:30. Agendas and minutes for all meetings are on our website: https://www.ci.pickerington.oh.us/government/city-council/meeting-minutes-agendas-legal-notices-new/

Due to the forecast of high temperatures, we are adjusting our market hours this week.

Note: Pompeii’s Inferno will not be attending this week. This is for the safety of their employees.

Please leave your pets at home this week. Our market is on blacktop!

We will have lots of yummy treats to cool you down so stop by from 5-7!!!

It's 'Meet the Team Tuesday' and today it's Vicki's turn in the spotlight. Each week we're introducing you to a member of Team Pickerington and highlighting their role in our organization.

Congratulations Sgt. Rathgaber!

P.P.D. would like to congratulate Sergeant Erich Rathgaber Sgt. Rathgaber today graduated from The Ohio State University Public Safety Leadership Academy! (PSLA) is an eleven week course offered by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety. It is one of the premier law enforcement leadership courses in the State of Ohio, and is tuition free for Ohio law enforcement agencies. He is the ninth supervisor from our department to graduate from this course.
Sgt. Rathgaber is a Pickerington High School graduate, U.S. Marine Corp. veteran, and a 25 year member of P.P.D.

Excellent job Sergeant Rathgaber!

NOTICE: With a heat advisory in effect all week, Rumpke Waste & Recycling will be starting collection services earlier, as soon as 6 a.m. https://www.rumpke.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3h21MNj04kQDx0eZNQepB287YjG-m52hyLlY6GVBb-pC_dWUOEX7MrMVM_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

When the staff's shirts match their surroundings! A little Friday afternoon fun at the BEST workplace in Pickerington.

When Carl and Violet color coordinate!
Pickerington Public Library

Vendors for tonight's Olde Pickerington Farmers' Market

Calling all businesses, organizations, churches, sports groups, etc. We want everyone to be a part of our July 4th parade! The parade will be at 10 a.m. Registration is FREE and you can sign up here: https://www.ci.pickerington.oh.us/.../july-4th-celebration/ or you can fill out an application at City Hall (100 Lockville Road). Help us make this year's parade the best one yet!

It's that time of year again - the YAC is back! Registration today to secure your child's spot: https://www.ci.pickerington.oh.us/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/youth-adventure-challenge/

We're still looking for players for our Adult 3.5 & above Pickleball League. To learn more, click here: https://www.ci.pickerington.oh.us/departments/parks-recreation/adult-sports-leagues/

It's 'Meet the Team Tuesday' and today it's Mallory's turn in the spotlight. Each week we're introducing you to a member of Team Pickerington and highlighting their role in our organization.

Well this is a new one!! If you lost a key on a spoon at Sycamore Park this weekend, we have it at City Hall.

Come out and support the artists at our Summer Concert Series starting Sunday, June 23rd. It's a night of FREE entertainment and great music!

It's opening day at the Olde Pickerington Farmers' Market. Vendors will be here until 7:00, so come out and enjoy!

Effective June 7, 2024 we are implementing changes at the Pickerington Community Pool that we hope will eliminate some of the problems our staff has been dealing with over the past week, including fighting, aggression toward other patrons, profanity, etc. We want the pool to be a safe and enjoyable place and we feel these changes will not only better protect patrons, but our pool staff and lifeguards.

Day passes will only be available for purchase to adults 21 and older and proof of residency within the Pickerington Local School District will be required. Each day pass buyer can purchase two additional passes, but that person must stay at the pool with their guests the entire time.

Season passholders (only one per household) may purchase two additional day passes for guests.

We will also have an increased presence from the Pickerington Police Department and officers will be patrolling the pool deck more frequently.

Zero tolerance for violations of the posted rules will be enforced for all passholders and guests.

We want everyone to have a good experience at the Pickerington Community Pool. The safety of our pool staff, season passholders and guests will always be our top priority and we feel these changes are necessary in response to recent behavior-related incidents.

One week to go on Santa's Mailbox! Kids can drop their letters in the mailbox in front of City Hall and Santa's helpers will write back (if there's a return address). City Hall is located at 100 Lockville Road.