City Government of Westerville, Ohio

06/19/2026

The July/August 2026 Westerville Community Guide is officially live!

Dive inside to discover your ultimate roadmap for summer fun, including upcoming community events, parks and recreation program registrations and all the info you need to plan your Westerville Fourth of July. www.Westerville.org/CommunityGuide

06/19/2026

Calling all young entrepreneurs! Vendor spots are available for the new Trunk-A-Treasure event where youth share and sell goods from designated parking spaces.

Learn more and register at www.Westerville.org/Registration by Wednesday, June 24. The event will be held in the Senior Center parking lot (350 N. Cleveland Ave.) on Sunday, June 28 from noon - 2 p.m.

06/18/2026

Westerville is planning for the future, and your input is an important part of the process! An open house is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, from 6-8 p.m. at the Westerville Community Center, followed by pop-ups at Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday on June 26 and Uptown Westerville Inc.’s Saturday Farmers Market on June 27. Stop by to explore, share and tell us what matters most.

View details at www.Westerville.org/PlanWesterville.

06/18/2026

Shout out to Public Service Department staff members Patrick Pugh, Gio Napoli, Keylan Thrweatt and Ryan Douglas who recently took a moment from their busy schedules to rescue a group of ducklings that fell through a water grate.

“Even after rescuing three ducklings, they continued exhausting every effort to save the last one, refusing to give up until every baby was safely recovered,” said Melissa Butsko, a resident who witnessed the team’s rescue activities. "Their compassion and persistence was heartwarming.”

📸 Melissa Butsko

06/17/2026

Please join us in welcoming Westerville Division of Fire Chief Joshua Lester as he assumes his new role in the community!

Chief Lester was appointed by City Manager Monica Dupee and sworn in during the Tuesday, June 16 City Council meeting. He previously served as Interim Chief and will begin his new role on Monday, June 22.

06/17/2026

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH) will be conducting mosquito spraying in Westerville's Central and South zones on Thursday, June 18, beginning at 9 p.m., weather permitting. The City contracts with FCPH to provide treatment services throughout the community. View zone information and learn more about the program at www.Westerville.org/MosquitoControl.

06/16/2026

We’ve added more in-person opportunities for community members to guide Westerville’s next phase of responsible growth and investment.

Explore plans and share feedback at the pop-up tents at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday event on June 26 from 6-9 p.m. in Uptown and Uptown Westerville Inc.’s Saturday Farmers Market on June 27 from 9 a.m. - noon in the COHatch/North High Brewing parking lot.

Visit www.Westerville.org/PlanWesterville for details.

06/16/2026

Mayor David Grimes (center right) presents the Pride Month proclamation on June 4 to Wesley Orion (far right), a performer and poet connected with the Westerville Q***r Collective, alongside Vice Mayor Kelley Stocker and Council Vice Chair Aaron Glasgow.

The City of Westerville observes Pride Month as an opportunity to increase awareness and champion an environment defined by inclusivity and acceptance.

Visit www.Westerville.org/Pride to read the proclamation.

06/16/2026

The City of Westerville is proud to partner with Visit Westerville, Otterbein University, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Westerville Historical Society, the Westerville History Museum and the Westerville Public Library to support the America250 Westerville Mural Project.

🎨 Meet the Artist: Steve Olszewski

We're excited to introduce artist Steve Olszewski, creator of America250 Westerville Mural, "History at Play," designed in honor of Westerville’s First Park.

A digital artist since the single-digit versions of Photoshop, Steve Olszewski has designed everything from wine labels to sidewalk adhesives. His portfolio is as diverse as his interests, often exploring the intersection of music, family, and the great outdoors. Whether he's navigating government wayfinding projects or masterminding his annual "running plus Photoshop" charity fundraiser, Steve brings a seasoned eye and a sense of humor to every project.

Inspired by warm summer evenings spent at Alum Creek Park North, Steve's mural honors the history of Westerville's first municipal park and the generations of memories made there. Through imagery that reflects music, play, recreation, and gathering, the artwork captures the moments that bring people together and make a place feel alive.

Established in the 1930s through the Works Progress Administration, Alum Creek Park North has long served as a gathering place for residents. From its original amphitheater, log cabin, and playground to the train-themed play area that has delighted generations of children, the park's story is one of connection, recreation, and community life.

Through "History at Play," Steve celebrates a place that has served as a backdrop for countless childhood adventures, summer concerts, and everyday moments—reminding us how public spaces help shape the stories of a community.

Learn more about Steve at:
🔗 stephenolszewski.com

👉Stay tuned for our final artist spotlight, coming soon! For project updates and to discover all the ways to experience America250 in Westerville, visit www.visitwesterville.org/250.

06/16/2026

The City of Westerville is proud to partner with Visit Westerville, Otterbein University, the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Westerville Historical Society, the Westerville History Museum and the Westerville Public Library to support the America250 Westerville Mural Project.

🎨 Meet the Artist: Zach Cardoza

Through three murals created for the America250 Westerville Mural Project, artist Zach Cardoza—supported by Brooke Cardoza's digital production expertise—brings Westerville's history to life.

Zach Cardoza is a professionally trained artist with over a decade of experience, grounded in classical fine art traditions and driven by curiosity around material and process. After studying Fine Art at Northwest College in Wyoming, he built a strong foundation in drawing, painting, sculpture, and pastels; skills that continue to shape his work today.

Now based in Columbus, Zach’s practice has evolved to incorporate both traditional and nontraditional materials, ranging from graphite and pastel to thread, yarn, and wool, allowing the medium itself to guide each piece. His work bridges classical technique with contemporary experimentation and has been featured in the Ohio Arts Council Spring Juried Selection and other publications, reflecting a thoughtful balance of structure and innovation.

🖌️ "Curators of Expression"
This mural honors Ruth "Petie" Dodrill and Harriet Thompson, whose dedication to theater and art education helped shape generations of artists in Westerville. By portraying them together, Zach reflects the lasting influence both women had on shaping Westerville's artistic and cultural landscape.

🏈 "Taskmaster"
This mural celebrates Albert Exendine, whose influence extended far beyond the Otterbein football field. Remembered as a visionary coach, educator, attorney, and advocate for tribal rights, Exendine's legacy reflects a lifetime of leadership, innovation, and service.

⭐ "Duty, Honor, Country"
This mural honors three Black veterans from Westerville's history—Capt. W.S. Thomas, Norman Wesley Tarpley, and Jack Dempsey Foster. Through careful attention to their likenesses, Zach focused on capturing the character and humanity of each veteran, ensuring they are remembered as individuals whose lives and service helped shape history.

Learn more about Zach:
🔗 zachcardozaart.com

👉For project updates and to discover all the way to experience America250 in Westerville, visit www.visitwestervile.org/250