FOTP's Research of The History of
Thompson Park

Early Origins and Initial Vision

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Thompson Park’s land was originally rural farmland in what is now Upper Arlington, Ohio. In the late 19th century, a farmhouse built around 1894 stood on this property, and it remained occupied by longtime resident Nellie McCoy Davidson until her death in 1976. As Upper Arlington grew rapidly in the mid-20th century (its population nearing 40,000 by the 1960s), local officials anticipated the need for expanded public facilities. In 1960, the Upper Arlington Board of Education purchased approximately 50 acres of this farmland as a prospective site for a second high school, given the booming school-age population. This forward-looking acquisition was driven by the motivation to secure land for education and community use before suburban development consumed the area.

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Notably, while the Board of Education held the land, no school was ever built there – the city’s enrollment projections leveled off and Upper Arlington High School was instead expanded on its original site. Rather than see the open land developed for housing, community leaders began to envision it as parkland. The idea of a park on Lane Road (as the area was known) gained traction as part of Upper Arlington’s commitment to preserving green space in its “garden suburb.” This early vision set the stage for Thompson Park’s creation, ensuring the tract would serve recreation rather than be sold to private developers.

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Acquisition by the City of Upper Arlington

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Converting the old “Lane farm” property into a public park required concerted action by city officials and cooperation with the school board. A real estate deed dated January 8, 1961, shows that the City of Upper Arlington acquired the property for a nominal sum of $1.00 from long-time resident and real estate developer Don Borror of Borror Construction, which was recorded as a public land transaction.  The Borror family lived on Sheringham Road, just steps from the park for decades. The official deed names the City as the purchaser, and there is no mention of the Board of Education.

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However, despite this formal ownership by the City, multiple historical sources refer to the Upper Arlington Board of Education as having acquired the land in 1960–61 and considered it for a future school site. This apparent contradiction can be reconciled: it is likely that the City initially took title to the property, but the Board of Education took functional or operational control of the land via internal governmental agreements that did not involve a formal recorded deed. Such transfers are common between public entities and often occur via resolutions, ordinances, or inter-agency agreements.

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This scenario explains why the land was commonly referred to in subsequent decades as “Board of Education land” and why the Board was able to later declare it surplus and offer it for public use. In 1975, a portion of the site was used to establish the Lane Road Branch of the Upper Arlington Public Library. The following year, the school board formally declared the remaining acreage as surplus, and in 1976, the City of Upper Arlington moved to purchase the remaining land for park development.

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The acquisition was financed through a combination of local funds and outside grants. In 1979 the City secured a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to help fund the purchase and development of Lane Road Park. The Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks District even partnered in this effort, contributing approximately $158,400 toward the land acquisition. By the early 1980s, Upper Arlington had successfully obtained the full 50-acre tract, ensuring it would remain public green space. This sequence of transactions – from Board of Education control to City parkland – was driven by public-minded motivations and, notably, supported by residents who favored a park over private development. Upper Arlington’s acquisition of the land stands as a notable example of a community coming together to preserve open space.

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Development and Changes Over Time

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Once the land was secured, Upper Arlington wasted no time transforming the former fields into a fully featured park. Plans for “Lane Road Park,” as it was then called, were drawn up around 1979–1980. Ken Thompson, the Parks & Recreation Director, oversaw much of the park’s early development and put his personal stamp on the design. Under his guidance, the relatively flat old farmland was contoured with large grassy mounds around the grounds, adding visual interest and creating hills that residents would later enjoy for sledding in winter. By the early 1980s, the City had installed a host of recreational facilities: multiple soccer and open playfields, several baseball/softball diamonds, and tennis courts, as well as a playground for children. A shelter house and picnic areas were added to support community gatherings. A paved multipurpose path was laid out encircling much of the park, and outdoor fitness stations were installed along the trail to create a fitness circuit for walkers and joggers. These amenities were in place by the time Lane Road Park was fully opened to the public in the 1980s.

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Over the ensuing decades, Thompson Park continued to evolve as a beloved community space. City Parks crews and the Recreation Department have regularly upgraded and maintained the facilities. For example, the loop path (popular with cyclists, runners, and strollers) was repaved around 2005 to improve safety and accessibility. Playground equipment has been updated over time to meet modern standards, and the park’s two shelter houses (north and south) can be rented by residents for events. The park’s natural features have been enhanced as well – what started as open farm fields now includes stands of mature trees and a small wetland area, reflecting the City’s ongoing landscaping and tree-planting efforts. In recent years, educational and recreational programs have been introduced on site. A “Tree Trek” walking tour was created to teach visitors about the diverse tree species planted in the park, and the park often hosts youth sports leagues’ games and practices. Throughout its history, the park’s layout and uses have been refined, but its core purpose as a multi-use recreational green space has remained constant.

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A milestone in the park’s history came in the mid-2000s when it was renamed. In 2005, Upper Arlington City Council officially changed the name from Lane Road Park to Thompson Park in honor of Ken Thompson’s legacy. By that time, the community had enjoyed the park’s offerings for over twenty years, thanks in large part to Thompson’s leadership in its creation. The renaming was a commemorative change; no major physical alterations accompanied it, but new signage was installed reflecting the Thompson Park name. Today, Thompson Park remains a 49–50 acre expanse with sports fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, and walking paths – a living testament to the city’s commitment, dating back to the 1960s, to provide plentiful parks for its residents.

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Civic and Community Involvement

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Both city government and community members have played vital roles in shaping and sustaining Thompson Park over the years. On the government side, the City of Upper Arlington’s leadership was instrumental from the start. The Board of Education’s initial land purchase in 1960 set the stage, and later the Upper Arlington City Council, City Manager, and Parks & Recreation Department coordinated the park’s development. Ken Thompson, as Parks & Rec Director (1963–1989), was a driving force behind acquiring and developing the site. He championed the vision of turning unused school land into a community asset and oversaw construction of park amenities. His 26-year tenure with the City left an indelible mark – not only was the park named in his honor, but many of the recreational programs and features he implemented are still enjoyed today. City Council’s support was also crucial; they approved funding, sought grants, and passed the resolution to rename the park in recognition of Thompson’s contributions. Ongoing city management ensures the park is well-maintained through the Parks & Forestry Division, which handles everything from landscaping to facility upgrades.

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Community members and local organizations have likewise been integral to Thompson Park’s story. In the 1970s, residents living in Upper Arlington’s northwest neighborhoods voiced support for preserving the open land as a park, influencing the City’s decision to buy the property. The Upper Arlington Public Library’s decision to build the Lane Road Branch on the site (opened 1975) also signaled community investment in the area. Over the years, various civic groups have contributed to park improvements. Local youth sports leagues (such as the Upper Arlington Junior Baseball Association and soccer leagues) heavily utilize Thompson Park’s fields, and they have partnered with the City to maintain quality playing surfaces for children’s sports. Volunteerism and education have flourished in the park as well – for instance, local volunteers and educators established the Thompson Park Tree Trek, an educational trail with markers identifying tree species, to encourage nature learning in the community. Neighbors often assist in minor upkeep, and the park regularly benefits from Eagle Scout projects and community foundation grants for amenities like benches and plantings.

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Thompson Park’s evolution reflects a true public collaboration: city officials provided strategic planning and resources, and residents embraced and shaped the park through active use and stewardship. The result is a thriving public park that balances structured recreational facilities with open natural space. From its origin as a foresighted land purchase to its development through public financing and its ongoing care by Parks staff and citizens, Thompson Park stands as a product of Upper Arlington’s civic spirit. Each chapter of its history – the farmland era, the school board’s role, the boom of park development in 1980, and the dedication to Ken Thompson in 2005 – highlights the partnership between the City government and the community. Thompson Park today is not only a center for outdoor activities and events, but also a living legacy of the people and vision that created it, ensuring that future generations in Upper Arlington can enjoy the green space set aside so many decades ago.

Sources:

• Upper Arlington Centennial Celebration – City of Upper Arlington Website

• Upper Arlington Historical Society – Wall of Honor: Kenneth “Ken” Thompson

• Upper Arlington History Trail – Our Schools & Libraries (Upper Arlington History Trail)

• Land & Water Conservation Fund Grants – National Park Service Records

• beesfirstappearance blog – Adventure UA (2011) (community anecdote)

• City of Upper Arlington – Timeline / UA History (park renaming)

• City of Upper Arlington Parks & Rec – City Parks Listing (amenities and facilities)

• Thompson Park Tree Trek – Community Blog/Map (educational use of park)

• Real estate deed – January 8, 1961 official transfer to City of Upper Arlington