Kenneth “Ken” Thompson

Inducted: 2021

As the City’s first Parks & Recreation Director and over his 26-year tenure, Ken Thompson nurtured and expanded the community’s treasured parks network, amenities and offerings, with much of his legacy still enjoyed by residents today.

He led efforts to acquire or develop major community parks, including Fancyburg, Northwest Kiwanis, and Lane Road (renamed Thompson Park in 2004 in his honor).

Notable programming accomplishments included formation of the Senior Center; the Northam Park clay tennis courts; cooperative efforts with the Schools to manage and own the community’s three outdoor pools; development of special recreational opportunities such as a playground for children of all abilities at Fancyburg Park, and the Cardiff Woods and Smith Nature parks; formation of the Cultural Arts Commission and growth of arts and culture activities such as the Labor Day Arts Festival; development of street tree legislation and the formation of a parks & forestry program; and the first Therapeutic Recreation Program in Central Ohio.

Ken’s public service and sports accolades are many including the following: President, New Jersey Parks & Recreation Society; Northam Tennis Wall of Fame; Paul Harris Fellow, Upper Arlington Rotary Club; Varsity “O” at The Ohio State University; Ohio State Football team (1953-1956) and national champion (1954).