Visit Westerville

Westerville's First Park Mural

History at Play

By Artist Steve Olszewski

Mural Location: Westerville Community Center |350 N. Cleveland Ave.                                                                                                                                 Interior Hallway leading to Senior Center

Living in Westerville, I am constantly inspired by passing by Alum Creek Park during the golden hour of a warm summer evening—moments when the community feels most alive through music, play, and celebration. This project draws on those experiences while honoring the rich history 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.

Learn more about Steve at linkedin.com/in/olszewskistephen

In August 1934, the Village of Westerville purchased the nine-acre Gantz property for a park bounded by Main and West Street. In 1935, construction began on the City’s first municipal park at a cost of $32,000 under the Works Progress Administration. Alum Creek Park North was dedicated in 1936 with a variety of amenities:

• Shelter house
• Fountain – often enjoyed as a swimming pool by residents.
• Log cabin - built for scouts to meet; still stands in the park.
• Playground
• Amphitheater – The terraces are original. The original shell and benches fell into disrepair and were replaced with a simple band shell and grass seating in the 1990s. These were replaced with the current amphitheater structure in 2001, rededicated in 2008 as the Westerville Rotary Amphitheater.

Alum Creek Park North is often called “train park.” In 1968, the Westerville Kiwanis Club constructed a cinder block train in the park and rebuilt it 40 years later. Today’s train-shaped playground originated in 2015.

Alum Creek Park North now features state of the art play structures, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and volleyball pits.