Long before it was part of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system, Bank Run was known to a lot of us as Hoover YMCA Park.
Located at 1570 Rohr Rd. in Lockbourne, it was the kind of place where you could spend an entire afternoon without ever checking the time. Flying down the giant slide. Wandering through the woods looking for frogs and whatever else you could find. Celebrating birthdays under a shelter with a cooler full of snacks and a cake that never quite survived the heat.
Now, the space is entering a new chapter, and it’s something a little different than your typical Metro Park.
A new kind of park is coming to Columbus
Bank Run Metro Park is being designed as two connected experiences. One side is built for gathering. The other, still on the way, will focus on nature and exploration.
The first phase to open is the event center, and it’s a pretty big shift from what you might expect when you think “Metro Park.”
The new space will be more than a few picnic tables and a shelter. The Bank Run Event Center is designed to host everything from weddings and nonprofit events to large community gatherings, all while still being surrounded by green space.
There are two indoor lodges that can each host up to 99 guests, plus two outdoor shelters that scale up significantly. One fits around 120 people, while the larger space can accommodate nearly 300. There’s also a stage for concerts and presentations, along with a paved 5K loop that’s built specifically with races and events in mind.
The park side is still to come
While the event center is ready to welcome visitors, the natural side of Bank Run is still in development, with an expected opening later in 2026.
Once it’s complete, it’ll feel much more like the Metro Parks people already know and love, with open fields, wooded areas, and water views. Of course, there will be plenty of room for things like walking, running, kayaking, and fishing.
In other words, the kind of place where you can slow down a bit and just be outside.
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You can get a first look this May
Before everything is fully open, the community will have a chance to check out the new space during a preview event on May 16.
The event is centered around the new event center and is designed to show how the space works when it’s actually in use. There will be a 5K run and walk along the paved loop, live music, food trucks, and plenty of opportunities to explore.
It’s also a chance to see how this new kind of Metro Park space might fit into the community, whether that’s hosting a big event or just showing up to see what’s going on. To learn more about Bank Run and the other Metro Parks, head over to metroparks.net.
