Residents Raise Concerns Over Loss of Community Park for NWSL Training Facility

City Council weighs funding for expansion team, but impact on families not addressed

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:08am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty children's playground in an urban park, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the swings and slides, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the future of this community space.The potential loss of a beloved community park space raises concerns about the tradeoffs between private development and preserving public green spaces for local families.Columbus Today

Residents in Columbus, Ohio are voicing concerns over a proposal to turn McCoy Park, a popular recreation space for over 1,000 local children and families, into a training facility for a new NWSL expansion team. The city council is considering funding the deal, but critics argue the loss of the public park space has not been adequately addressed.

Why it matters

The potential loss of McCoy Park would deprive many families, especially on the south side of Columbus, of an important community recreation space. Residents argue that no alternative plans have been proposed to replace this green space if it is turned over to private use for the professional sports team.

The details

The city council is weighing a proposal to bring an expansion NWSL team to Columbus, which would require converting McCoy Park into a training facility for the team. Residents argue this would take away a valuable public resource used by over 1,000 local children and their families. Critics say the city has not addressed how these families would be impacted or what alternative recreation spaces might be provided.

  • The city council is currently considering the NWSL expansion deal that would impact McCoy Park.
  • McCoy Park currently serves over 1,000 local children and families in the Columbus area.

The players

Columbus City Council

The local governing body that is weighing the proposal to bring an NWSL expansion team to Columbus, which would require converting McCoy Park into a private training facility.

Carl Faller

A Columbus resident who argues the impact on families from the loss of McCoy Park has not been adequately addressed.

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What they’re saying

“Nowhere has anyone proposed an alternative recreation space for children on the south side if the entire park is turned over for a professional training facility.”

— Carl Faller, Columbus Resident

What’s next

The Columbus City Council will continue to deliberate on the NWSL expansion deal and the future of McCoy Park in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between private development interests and preserving valuable public green spaces for community use, especially in underserved neighborhoods. The city must carefully weigh the tradeoffs and ensure any loss of public parkland is met with adequate replacement options for local families.