Worthington Appropriates $350,000 to Acquire and Demolish Linworth Road Parcel for Park Expansion
The legislation enables the city to purchase a 0.6-acre residential property from the local improvement corporation and integrate it into Linworth Park.
Worthington City Council has approved an appropriation of $350,000 from the municipal General Fund to acquire and demolish a single-family residential parcel bordering Linworth Park, fulfilling a longstanding municipal planning goal to square off the park's boundaries.
The legislative action, enacted through Ordinance No. 27-2026 on Sept. 21, 2026, clears the way for the city to purchase the 0.6-acre property at 5995 Linworth Road from the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation. The acquisition allows the suburb to remove an aging 1920s house and expand public parkland along the neighborhood's western corridor.
Legislative Action and Transaction Mechanics
Council introduced the measure on Sept. 8, held a public hearing on Sept. 21, and voted to enact the legislation, which officially takes effect on Oct. 14, 2026. The ordinance formally amends the city's annual operating budget, Ordinance No. 26-2025, drawing the required dollars from the General Fund unappropriated balance.
Rather than participating directly in a fast-moving private auction, the city utilized the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation to secure the site. The community improvement corporation acquired the parcel through an online auction before transferring ownership to the municipality.
Under Section 2 of the legislation, council authorized the City Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, and Law Director to complete all legal and administrative steps needed to buy the property from the improvement corporation. The ordinance mandates that the final purchase price paid to the CIC cannot exceed the total $350,000 appropriation.
Financial Breakdown and Acquisition Costs
The measure directs the entire $350,000 sum into Account No. 101.1010.560983, designated specifically for Property Acquisition & Demolition within General Fund #101.
Real estate listing records show that the property was offered via an online auction ending Aug. 11, 2026, with a reserve and minimum bid of $250,000. The community improvement corporation placed the winning bid, closing the purchase at $304,150.
With the acquisition priced at $304,150, approximately $45,850 remains from the $350,000 appropriation. City officials will use the remaining balance to fund the scheduled demolition of the existing residential structure, site clearance, and initial site preparation needed before the land is folded into the adjoining park grounds.
Property History and Boundary Alignment
The property at 5995 Linworth Road includes a 1,435-square-foot two-story farmhouse built in 1926 with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a full basement, and a detached two-car garage. County and listing records indicate the home sits on a 0.6-acre lot measuring 26,136 square feet.
Marketed in "as is" condition, the century-old residence required substantial interior rehabilitation. However, its primary value to the city lay in its physical location. The parcel sits directly adjacent to Linworth Park, surrounded by parkland on two sides.
The orientation formed an irregular residential cutout along the park's frontage on Linworth Road, creating an indentation into public park property.
Master Plan Context and Park Integration
City officials tied the acquisition directly to Worthington's long-range recreational strategy. The ordinance highlights that a key recommendation in the city's 2017 Park Master Plan was to “look for opportunities to square off park through acquisition of property”.
Linworth Park, established in 1998 at 5971 Linworth Road, currently spans 13 acres. The municipal park features extensive recreational infrastructure, including a baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball court, tennis courts, a playground, a tot lot, and a drinking fountain. It also features a paved trail encircling the grounds for jogging, walking, and in-line skating, as well as a picnic shelter house donated and built by the Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club.
Razing the residential dwelling and integrating the 0.6-acre lot will resolve the boundary indentation, creating a contiguous park border along Linworth Road. Once demolition and grading are complete, the added acreage will expand open green space and provide greater flexibility for park access and recreational programming for neighborhood residents.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
City Council Ordinances · Ordinance No. 27-2026 · ordinance
Supporting evidence (6)
The legislative action, enacted through Ordinance No. 27-2026 on Sept. 21, 2026, clears the way for the city to purchase the 0.6-acre property at 5995 Linworth Road from the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation.
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Passed: September 21, 2026
Council introduced the measure on Sept. 8, held a public hearing on Sept. 21, and voted to enact the legislation, which officially takes effect on Oct. 14, 2026.
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Effective: October 14, 2026
The community improvement corporation acquired the parcel through an online auction before transferring ownership to the municipality.
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WHEREAS, the property located at 5995 Linworth Road adjacent to the Linworth Park was recently acquired by the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation through an online auction.
Under Section 2 of the legislation, council authorized the City Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, and Law Director to complete all legal and administrative steps needed to buy the property from the improvement corporation.
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SECTION 2. That the City Manager, Parks & Recreation Director, Finance Director, and Law Director are hereby authorized to take all actions necessary to facilitate the purchase of the property located at 5995 Linworth Road from the Worthington Community Improvement Corporation for an amount not to exceed the appropriation listed in Section 1 of this Ordinance.
The measure directs the entire $350,000 sum into Account No. 101.1010.560983, designated specifically for Property Acquisition & Demolition within General Fund #101.
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101.1010.560983 Property Acquisition & Demolition $ 350,000.00
The ordinance highlights that a key recommendation in the city's 2017 Park Master Plan was to “look for opportunities to square off park through acquisition of property”.
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WHEREAS, one of the recommendations in the 2017 Park Master Plan for Linworth Partk was to “look for opportunities to square off park through acquisition of property”; and,
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/oh/worthington/5995-linworth-rd/pid_72517255/
Supporting evidence (6)
Real estate listing records show that the property was offered via an online auction ending Aug. 11, 2026, with a reserve and minimum bid of $250,000.
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Online Auction, the list price reflects the RESERVE (minimum Bid) of $250,000. The Auction ends at 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 11th, 2026.
The community improvement corporation placed the winning bid, closing the purchase at $304,150.
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Sold For: $304,150Taxes: $6,532 (2025)Status: ClosedType: Single FamilySource: Columbus_N_Greater_OhioMLS ID: 226026299
The property at 5995 Linworth Road includes a 1,435-square-foot two-story farmhouse built in 1926 with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a full basement, and a detached two-car garage.
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Architectural Style: FarmhouseBasement: YesBasement Desc.: FullWindows: Insulated Part, Storm PartSquare Feet: 1,435Sq. Ft. Source: RealistLiving Area: 1,435 Sq. Ft.Finished Total: 1,435 Sq. Ft.Year Built: 1926
County and listing records indicate the home sits on a 0.6-acre lot measuring 26,136 square feet.
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Lot Size (Acres): 0.6Lot Size (Sq. Ft.): 26,136
Marketed in "as is" condition, the century-old residence required substantial interior rehabilitation.
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Property being sold in 'as is' condition This home is ready for your vision and updates, with the interior needing the most attention--and it's priced accordingly.
The parcel sits directly adjacent to Linworth Park, surrounded by parkland on two sides.
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classic two-story home situated on a beautiful 0.6-acre lot within the City of Worthington. Enjoy an exceptional setting backing directly to Linworth Road Community Park, with parkland on two sides
https://www.worthington.org/facilities/facility/details/Linworth-Park-7
Supporting evidence (3)
Linworth Park, established in 1998 at 5971 Linworth Road, currently spans 13 acres.
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Linworth Park 5971 Linworth Rd. Worthington, OH 43085
Linworth Park, established in 1998 at 5971 Linworth Road, currently spans 13 acres.
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established 1998Linworth Park is 13-acres and boasts a variety of facilities, including a ball diamond, soccer field, basketball court, playground, tot lot, tennis courts and a drinking fountain.
It also features a paved trail encircling the grounds for jogging, walking, and in-line skating, as well as a picnic shelter house donated and built by the Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club.
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The park also features a trail through and around the park for those who enjoy in-line skating, jogging or walking. The Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club donated and built a shelter house which covers four picnic tables.