Hilliard City Council is scheduled to vote Sept. 28 on legislation that would hand roughly 333 acres of conservation land to Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, according to WCMH. The measure was presented to council Sept. 14, and the city said in a release it anticipates approval.
Metro Parks said separately the transfer would enlarge Homestead Metro Park to 376 acres and raise its total preserved land in the Big Darby Creek watershed above 10,000 acres.
The legislation would revise Hilliard's agreements with M/I Homes so conservation acreage inside the Hill Farm and Hill Farm II developments, including Clover Groff Run headwaters, passes from the developer to Metro Parks. Council approved Hill Farm II in March 2025; that 300-home extension near Elliott Road leaves 186 of 265 acres as open space. Council also authorized about 35 acres from Clover Meadows to Metro Parks in June.
Land in the broader expansion was assembled through deals involving M/I Homes, Fischer Homes, Pulte Homes and Rockford Homes.
Assistant City Manager Dan Ralley said prioritizing open space as the community grows created a chance to permanently preserve hundreds of acres and expand access to nature for generations.
An accompanying agreement covers Metro Parks operating, maintaining and patrolling certain regional trails, including about 2.4 miles of Heritage Trail south of Hayden Run Road and a route from Homestead Metro Park to Scioto Darby Creek Road. Metro Parks would take on routine maintenance and patrol costs, with the two agencies continuing to coordinate major trail construction and renovation on city-owned land.
Metro Parks plans wetland, native prairie and forest restoration, with conservation and passive recreation emphasized and possible natural-surface trails and boardwalks. No timeline was given.
Metro Parks Executive Director Tim Moloney called the partnership's impact long-lasting for Hilliard and the region.