The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission — in partnership with local communities, parks districts, and grassroots organizations — provides residents and visitors with information on where they can safely and legally access the water for paddle sports in Central Ohio’s neighborhoods.
MISSION
To promote and preserve both recreational and environmental stewardship opportunities along Central Ohio’s waterways by convening and collaborating with local communities and partners on expanding safe and sustainable access to – and education of – our region’s rivers and streams.
VISION
Every Central Ohioan has an equal opportunity to experience and foster meaningful connections between our region and its rivers and streams.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
| Scioto River Representative | 2025 | J.M. Rayburn (City of Dublin) |
| Scioto River Representative | 2024 | Justin Milam (City of Upper Arlington) |
| Olentangy River Representative | 2025 | Maria Conroy (The Ohio State University) |
| Olentangy River Representative | 2024 | Aryeh Alex (Keep Columbus Beautiful) |
| Alum Creek Representative | 2025 | Laura Ball (City of Westerville) |
| Alum Creek Representative | 2024 | Megan Meyer (City of Bexley) |
| Big Walnut Creek Representative | 2025 | Zac Guthrie (City of Gahanna) |
| Big Walnut Creek Representative | 2024 | Joe Long (City of Whitehall) |
| City of Columbus | 2025 | Pamela Steck |
| Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks | 2024 | Haley Ingram |
| A Regional (Non-Franklin) County Parks District | 2025 | Zach Messinger (Preservation Parks of Delaware County) |
| Franklin County Engineer’s Office | 2024 | James Ramsey, PE |
| A Regional Soil & Water Conservation District | 2025 | Julia Cumming (Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District) |
| Friends of Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) | 2025 | Laura Fay |
| Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT) | 2024 | Doug Crandall |
| Experience Columbus | 2024 | Jon Tolbert |
| User Group / At-Large Citizen | 2025 | Lisa Daris (Olentangy Paddle) |
| User Group / At-Large Citizen | 2024 | Daniel Weis (T&M Associates) |
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
2025 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
February 12, 2025 – Meeting Packet
May 14, 2025 – 10:30 am
August 13, 2025 – 10:30 am
November 12, 2025 – 10:30 am
2024 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
May 8, 2024 – Meeting Packet
August 14, 2024 – Meeting Packet (TBA)
November 13, 2024 – Meeting Packet
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2023 ADVISORY PANEL MEETINGS
WORKING GROUP MEMBERS
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
- Pamela Steck (City of Columbus)
- Aryeh Alex (Keep Columbus Beautiful)
- James Ramsey, PE (Franklin County Engineer’s Office)
- Julia Cumming (Madison Soil & Water Conservation District)
- Laura Fay (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed)
- Doug Crandall (Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries)
- Lisa Daris (Olentangy Paddle)
- Elizabeth Ellman (City of Bexley)
- Greg Hitzhusen (The Ohio State University)
WATER TRAIL DESIGNATION
- J.M. Rayburn (City of Dublin)
- Justin Milam (City of Upper Arlington)
- Maria Conroy (The Ohio State University)
- Zac Guthrie (City of Gahanna)
- Zach Messinger (Preservation Parks of Delaware County)
- Jason Reece (The Ohio State University)
- Julia Hatton (City of Columbus)
- Jenny Doan (City of Columbus)
USER EXPERIENCE
- Laura Ball (City of Westerville)
- Megan Meyer (City of Bexley)
- Jon Tolbert (Experience Columbus)
- Rando Morgan (River Rangers)
- Michael Sherron (Pickaway County)
- Alex Miu (City of Columbus)
- Kasey Unser (City of Columbus)
WORKING GROUP MEETINGS
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
- February 24, 2025 – Meeting Packet
- April 28, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- May 19, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- July 7, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- July 28, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- August 25, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- September 29, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- October 27, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- November 17, 2025 – 12:30 pm
- December 15, 2025 – 12:30 pm
2024 Meetings
- July 23, 2024 – Agenda
- October 28, 2024 – Meeting Packet
- November 25, 2024 – Meeting Packet
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COMBINED WATER TRAIL DESIGNATION & USER EXPERIENCE
March 20, 2025 – Meeting Packet
WATER TRAIL DESIGNATION
- July 23, 2024 – Agenda
- October 31, 2024 – Meeting Packet
- November 21, 2024 – Meeting Packet
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USER EXPERIENCE
- July 15, 2024 – Agenda
- October 31, 2024 – Meeting Packet
- November 21, 2024 – Meeting Packet
