Columbus Daily Brief: New South Side Metro Park Access, Construction Snapshot, Purim Celebrations

Monday’s local pulse mixes new green space, ongoing building booms, and a big community celebration as Columbus heads into March.

Great Southern Metro Park starts a ‘soft opening’

Visitors can already walk parts of the new Great Southern Metro Park on the South Side, even as crews finish work ahead of an official opening set for April 1. Early access currently covers about 27 acres of the roughly 70-acre site, giving neighbors a first look at new paths and open space in an area that has long had fewer park options.

Over time, the park is expected to better link the South Side to the region’s trail network, including planned connections toward downtown. The project is part of a broader expansion of the local Metro Parks system supported by a voter-approved levy.

Construction check-in: cranes, concrete, and corridor work

A new March photo roundup shows just how much is changing across the central city, from Franklinton to the Arena District and up through the University District. Multiple apartment and mixed-use projects appear to be moving from framing to exterior finishes, while some long-running sites are still in heavy ‘dirt and steel’ mode.

Big public-facing work is also in the mix, including continued progress on the I-70/I-71 ‘Split’ corridor—an area that affects commutes, downtown access, and nearby development patterns.

Purim festivities bring families together

Families gathered for Purim celebrations featuring costumes, carnival-style games, and traditional treats—an annual moment that blends fun with a reminder of cultural and religious history. Organizers say the point is as much about passing along traditions as it is about the party.

For many participants, events like these are a simple way to stay connected in a busy season—showing up, seeing familiar faces, and letting kids experience a holiday that feels joyful and local.

Sources

https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/02/great-southern-metro-park-soft-opening
https://columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-march-2026-we1/
https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2026/03/01/columbus-family-keeps-purim-traditions-alive-for-generations