Dublin's $2.4M Plan to Protect the Park

Local News

There's a good chance you've got a winter coat hanging in a closet somewhere that hasn't been worn in years. Maybe the kids have outgrown theirs, or you've simply accumulated more coats than you need.

Well, here's a nice opportunity to put them to good use.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with One Dublin and Dublin Cleaners for its annual winter coat drive, collecting new and gently used coats, hats, and gloves for neighbors who could use a little help staying warm this winter.

And there's something particularly nice about how this works. Dublin Cleaners will professionally clean the donated coats, and One Dublin will make sure they reach people in our community who need them.

One Dublin says adult winter coats in larger sizes are especially needed right now, so if you've got one of those sitting unused, it could make a real difference.

You can drop off donations at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 129 S. High Street, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through December 10.

It's a pretty simple way to help someone through an Ohio winter. And perhaps a good excuse to finally clean out that coat closet.

You can read more about the winter coat drive here.

Local News

A few of you have reached out asking what's happening with all the construction along Riverside Drive near Riverside Crossing Park. Well, it turns out there's quite a bit more to this project than you might expect.

The city is installing new security barriers to help protect people gathering in the park from vehicles on the nearby road.

But don't picture a row of concrete barricades. The improvements include large decorative boulders, stone benches, protective posts called bollards, and reinforced guardrails, all designed to provide protection while blending into the park.

The improvements are part of a longer-term plan to make Riverside Crossing Park safer for concerts, festivals, and other gatherings throughout the year.

Dublin awarded a roughly $2.16 million contract for the safety and landscaping work in September, along with another $287,000 for electrical improvements. Construction began in October, and the city expects the work to be completed before Christkindlmarkt opens on November 21.

And there's something nice about how they're approaching this. Instead of making the park look like a place that needs protecting, they're trying to make the safety features feel like a natural part of the surroundings.

At nearly $2.4 million, this is certainly a substantial investment in Riverside Crossing Park. And while the improvements go well beyond security barriers, it's still a lot of money.

But there's something reassuring about knowing that when we gather for concerts, festivals, or just an afternoon by the river, our city is looking out for our safety.