Mayor Ginther cuts ribbon on Beatty Park Playground

Families in Columbus have another playground to enjoy after the official opening of the Blue Jackets playground at Beatty Park on Thursday. City officials highlighted by Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Councilmember Shayla Favor joined Blue Jackets Pierre-Luc Dubois and Joonas Korpisalo, and children from the Beatty Community Center to cut the ribbon on the fifth Blue Jackets playground constructed in the past three years.
"We support our Jackets. Why do we support our Jackets? Because our Jackets support us, and the fans that support the Foundation are investing into neighborhoods and playgrounds across our great city," stated Mayor Ginther to the crowd on hand for the opening.

"They say we are the fifth line for our Jackets, well the Jackets and the Foundation are the fifth line for Columbus neighborhoods."
Those sentiments were shared by Councilmember Shayla Favor.
"An investment like this is priceless. The goal was to ensure that all of our residents are within a half-mile walk to any given park within the City of Columbus. This in the middle of the near east side is just absolutely amazing for our folks in this community," said Councilmember Favor.

On August 14, Blue Jackets alumni Jody Shelley and Jean-Luc Grand Pierre joined Blue Jackets front office staff to build the playground, while Pierre- Luc Dubois and Joonas Korpisalo led street hockey games with kids from the Beatty Community Center on Thursday as part of the grand opening. Favor added that the commitment of Blue Jackets players, both past and present, is indicative of the team's commitment to community and the overall spirit in Columbus of giving back.
"It shows that our residents truly care about one another. Whether you are a professional player that has lived in this community, or you live in Columbus, you understand the importance of giving back. This is demonstrating the power of giving back," said Favor.
The playground was made possible by a $400,000 grant from the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to build eight playgrounds across the city of Columbus.
"It's been a great partnership that's helped transform parks and play spaces for kids all over our city. We're grateful for the partnership," Ginther said.