COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
 

Inquiries may be directed to Linda Haley, Community Affairs Director, at 836-3333 (fax 836-1117.) Or email lhaley@groveport.org

The Community Affairs Department is based in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main Street, Groveport.

The COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT coordinates the Village of Groveport's community and public relations, Town Hall programming, art gallery, senior transportation program, Heritage Nature Center, Sunday concert series, and community events. The Department is based in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main Street.
 
GROVEPORT TOWN HALL is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from Noon - 6 pm.   For further information, please call (614) 836-3333.
 
The GROVEPORT-MADISON TOWNSHIP SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM offers free transportation to medical appointments or personal errands for seniors age 60 and older, as well as individuals with disabilities, residing in Groveport or the unincorporated areas of Madison Township. Five vehicles operate Sunday through Friday and accommodate both ambulatory and wheelchair-bound clients. Following an initial home visit, the program is available to clients for transport to medical appointments anywhere in Franklin County, as well as personal appointments within southeast Franklin County.  A two-day advance scheduling period is required.  Reservations are accepted for appointments scheduled between 8:00 am and 1:00 p.m. No emergency transport calls are accepted.
 
Based in Town Hall, the GROVEPORT HERITAGE MUSEUM displays historic artifacts and memorabilia dating to the Village's earliest days in the mid-nineteenth century. The Museum describes the Village's merger of two towns on the Ohio and Erie Canal - Wert's Grove and Rarey's Port - into "Groveport" in 1847. The Village remains the only "Groveport" in the nation. Of special interest is the area devoted to the original Horse Whisperer, Groveport resident John S. Rarey, whose unique methods as a horse trainer earned international praise.
 
The CULTURAL ARTS CENTER and ART GALLERY share the front classroom of Town Hall. Area professional and amateur artists and collectors regularly exhibit works of art or interesting collections. Recent exhibitions have included watercolors, vintage trains and Erector sets, collages and mixed media, antique glassware, and Victorian children's toys.  For current and future art exhibits, click here.  For current and future programs in the Cultural Arts Center, click here.

SOCIAL AND MEETING ROOMS at both Town Hall and the Log House may be reserved for personal or business events.  In Town Hall, an auditorium and ballroom can accommodate groups up to 115 persons with tables, or 250 people in chairs.  Two smaller rooms serve groups up to 50 persons.  In the Log House, one room accommodates 20 persons.  There is no fee for reservation of a room by Groveport residents and taxpayers; a nominal fee is charged for non-taxpayers. A security deposit of $100.00 will be requested prior to the event.  Picnic Shelters may also be reserved at Groveport parks at no charge by calling Groveport Town Hall at 836-3333 and completing a contract.  For additional information, click here.  For a Town Hall Reservation Contract, click here.

GED PRACTICE TESTS are regularly held at Town Hall for individuals who would like additional preparation for the Ohio GED Test.   The computerized test covers 5 subject areas (reading, language arts, math, social studies, science) and is available for a fee of $25/person.   Upon successful completion of the practice test, a fee waiver will be issued which allows the student to take the Official GED test at no additional cost.   To download an application for the GED Practice Test, please click here.

The HERITAGE NATURE CENTER, opened in collaboration with Metro Parks, is located in the Log House at Heritage Park, Wirt Road.  Programs are presented regularly by Metro Parks and Village naturalists.  For additional information, click here.
 
SPECIAL EVENTS attract guests throughout central Ohio.  St Patrick's Family Day combines the finest Irish music, dancing, food and crafts for children. Lunch with the Bunny features a light luncheon, Bunny crafts and a chance to get a photograph taken while sitting on the Bunny's lap, all at Groveport Recreation Center.   Groveport's annual Easter Egg Hunt is held the day before Easter at Groveport Elementary School at 10 am. Keep Groveport Beautiful Day, offering an opportunity to help beautify the Village through flower planting and litter pickup, is held on the Saturday prior to Mother's Day. Village Independence Day, held on July 4, brings one of the region's largest all-day festivals, featuring a full day of continuous musical entertainment, children's activities, parades and fireworks. KidsFest is an opportunity for the youngest members of the community to enjoy a free carnival and party just for them.  Held in mid-September, and co-sponsored by the Southeastern Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Groveport's Hometown Classic Car Show features the finest vehicles in the area from eras past.  Apple Butter Day, held each year on the 2nd Saturday in October, offers music, homemade crafts and skilled craft demonstrators, all located in and around the grounds of the Village's 1820's Log House.  Halloween is celebrated annually on October 31 with Trick or Treating from 5:30 - 7 pm, followed by the annual Halloween Block Party sponsored by the Groveport Madison Lions Club.  On Sunday evenings from June through August, the Music in the Park series offers the finest in popular music in outdoor concerts held at Heritage Park.  A Salute to Veterans is held annually on November 11 at Veterans Park, 421 Main Street.  Santa Claus visits Groveport on the first Friday in December, beginning with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony across from Town Hall and the arrival of Santa to officially welcome the holiday season.   Hometown Holiday is an annual collaboration between the Groveport Heritage Society and the Village offering horse-drawn carriage rides, tours of historic homes and special events throughout the Village.  The event will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2008 from 1-5 pm.