Submitted by Michael Cote, Outreach Chair
North YMCA Community Center has announced in the YMCA September 2026 Newsletter that Sherrie Johnson, Executive Director of the North YMCA, will be retiring after 19 years at the Y effective September 30, 2026. Sherrie has truly been a good friend and partner with the Forest Park Community and Civic Association and will be missed.
Northland High School has appointed Jennifer Edgington, as full-time Coordinator of the Community Campus School Program. We look forward to future collaboration, especially with the Northland Market!
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has announced that beginning Sept. 1, residents age 60 and older can purchase a $60 for 60+ Pass, which provides access to most senior programming at community centers for $60 per year.
Upcoming events:
The Big Table Event, sponsored by the Columbus Foundation will be held at North YMCA, Sept 29, 2026, 8:00 – 10:00 am. Topic: Building Community in Northland
Northland Unity Festival will be returning in less than two weeks to the North YMCA on Saturday, September 19, 2026, 3-7 pm. The festival is free and open to everyone and is hosted by Elevate Northland and the North YMCA.
The 2026 Unity Festival, now in its ninth year, is Northland’s premier community event. Northland is home to one of the most diverse areas in Columbus, where peoples of different cultures, customs, and languages live in the same neighborhood. The Unity Festival brings neighbors and communities together to celebrate the rich diversity of their food, music, and dance. This year’s festival will feature over 40 exhibitors including local homecrafters, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and food vendors. New this year is an indoor Kid’s Market where young entrepreneurs will sell their creations from their own booths.
Green Columbus is back with their annual free tree giveaway! Every spring Green Columbus plants 3,000+ trees at their nursery before giving them away in the fall as 4-6 foot trees to community residents to plant. If you’re interested in planting a tree on your property, you can reserve your free tree now by signing up at greencbus.org/freetrees where you can select from different tree species as well as schedule where to pick up your free tree at one of three different sites and dates this fall. (South Side – 9/27; Franklinton – 10/4; Linden – 10/11)
The New Americans Garden and Farm Stand is located at the North YMCA and continues to host well attended farm markets in our neighborhood. The OSU Outreach Center for The James Cancer Hospital held a nutrition Workshop at the Farm Stand last Friday. The New American Garden and Farm Stand is managed by the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO) and will be open every Friday, 10 am – Noon, throughout the growing season. BCCO is applying for grant funding for the 2027 growing season.