Hilliard's Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee confirmed plans for a week-long celebration of The Well's first anniversary and discussed a proposed update to the Parks and Recreation Department's mission and vision statement at its Aug. 12 meeting.
The Well, the city's recreation and wellness center at 3993 Cosgray Road, opened Sept. 18, 2025. The anniversary celebration runs Sept. 14–19 with daily events for members, according to the city's event page.
Deputy Director Erin Duffee presented the anniversary schedule to the committee. Highlights include a member cookout with hot dogs, popsicles and music on Sept. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; a member pool party with mocktails and giveaways on Sept. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.; and a fitness class demo day and vendor fair on Sept. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Founding Members get exclusive perks, including early access to a Member Mixer on Sept. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. with raffle drawings before the event opens to all members from 7 to 8 p.m.
The city's Fall 2026 newsletter describes The Well's first year as producing "thousands of memberships sold." The facility will close Sept. 8–9 for its annual seasonal shutdown before the anniversary week begins.
Mission and vision update
Director of Recreation and Parks Ed Merritt and Duffee presented a proposed update to the department's mission and vision statement as a formal business item, according to the meeting agenda. The specific language has not been released.
"It feels like Hilliard in this space," Duffee said of The Well in the city's Winter 2025/2026 newsletter, published about two months after the facility opened.
Other business
The committee addressed high school representative vacancies. Two seats were listed as vacant on the Aug. 12 agenda; the RPAC website now lists Presley Bobek and Blaise Tabung, both from Bradley High School, alongside returning representatives Callie Beachy (Darby) and Cameron Perry (Davidson).
Duffee also provided updates on current Well membership figures, summer camp enrollment and outdoor pool operations. Specific numbers were not included in the agenda document.
The committee discussed its Nov. 11 meeting date, which falls on Veterans Day, a city-observed holiday. No resolution was noted in the agenda.
RPAC's next meeting is Sept. 9. The committee, co-chaired by Deryck Richardson and David Coyle, advises City Council on parkland development, recreational facilities, trails, programming and strategic plan updates. Council representatives Kathy Parker-Jones and Nadia Rasul also serve on the committee.
