CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio – August 2, 2025 — The revitalization of Circleville’s historic Ted Lewis Park continues to move forward, thanks to the generosity of donors and strong community support—but organizers say more funding is needed to complete one of the park’s biggest upcoming features.
So far, the Friends of Ted Lewis Park have raised approximately $600,000 through donations, grants, and in-kind contributions. Those funds have already gone toward significant upgrades, including brand-new LED lighting for all fields and the installation of new basketball courts.
Additional improvements are also planned. At the close of the current sports season, work will begin on rebuilding the park’s dugouts. Plans are also in place for a new shelter house, to be constructed on a raised section of land. The proposed three-season structure would include a snack bar, offering a fundraising opportunity for local softball and Pee Wee football teams.
However, there’s a major funding gap. Following the arson that destroyed the original shelter, the park received a $180,000 insurance payout. Combined with community fundraising efforts, the total now stands at $400,000. Unfortunately, construction bids for the new shelter house have come in at over $800,000—leaving a shortfall of at least $200,000.
Organizers emphasized that, while some residents have inquired about a pool, the park’s location in a floodplain makes that impossible. Constructing a pool elsewhere would cost more than $2 million and falls outside the committee’s current scope.
Despite that, the Friends of Ted Lewis Park have expanded their impact in other ways—partnering with the City of Circleville to launch a popular “Movies in the Park” series and implementing a 360-degree surveillance system that streams directly to the Circleville Police Department.
Support from local businesses and volunteers has played a vital role, including contributions from Darby Creek Excavating, Vic Riffle, and the city’s Service Department. More than two dozen individuals and companies who contributed $10,000 or more have been honored as part of the “Top Hat Club.” Hundreds more donors have contributed amounts ranging from $5 to $5,000.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity shown so far, but we still need help,” said a representative of the Friends group. “Every dollar gets us closer to finishing this important project for our community.”
The Friends of Ted Lewis Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations can be mailed to the Pickaway County Community Foundation at 770 N. Court St., Circleville, OH 43113. Donors are asked to indicate their contribution is for the Friends of Ted Lewis Park.
