The construction and equipment and the custody, maintenance, control, operation and administration of all the recreational facilities and public parks of the city shall be vested in a 'recreational and parks commission,' which shall be composed of nine members, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum. Eight of such commissioners shall, with the concurrence of council, be appointed by the mayor to serve, without compensation, for the term of five years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. One member on the recommendation of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park Board shall, with the concurrence of the mayor and council, be appointed to serve without compensation, for the term of five years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Provided, however, if no such recommendation is made within thirty days from the effective date hereof, or within thirty days of any vacancy, such appointment shall be made by the mayor with the concurrence of council. A vacancy shall be filled in like manner for the unexpired term. The mayor, with the concurrence of council, may at any time remove any commissioner so appointed for malfeasance in office, having first given to such member of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in person or by defense counsel before the council and such removal shall be final. All commissioners shall be bona fide residents of the city of Columbus.

Said commissions shall organize as a 'recreation and parks commission' by the election of a president, vice president and secretary, who shall serve for a term of one year until their successors are elected and qualified. The city treasurer shall be the treasurer of the commission. The director of recreation and parks may serve as secretary of the commission. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the government of the commission and for the operation and control of the various recreational facilities and public parks under its control. In the making of contracts the commission shall be governed by the provisions of the charter applicable thereto.

(Adopted 11-7-72; renumbered and amended 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)

The commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty to equip, operate, direct and maintain all the existing recreational facilities and park facilities, including such portions or reservoirs and rivers designated by ordinance of council as a park of the city, and from time to time, to acquire, improve and construct additional facilities; to appoint or employ a director of recreation and parks, which position is hereby created in the unclassified service of the city, and such other assistants as may be provided by council, at salaries or such compensation as may be fixed by council.

The recreation and parks commission may receive donations and bequests, of money or property, in trust or otherwise, for recreational and park purposes. The treasurer of the commission (the city treasurer) shall be the custodian of all such trust funds which may be received by gift, devise, in trust, or otherwise, and all funds acquired for or by reason of the operation and extension of the recreational and park facilities of the city. Said treasurer shall carefully preserve, control and invest the said trust funds as required by the deeds of trust, and shall disburse the income from the same as shall be directed by said commission in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of said deeds of trust. Disbursements from all other funds in the custody of said treasurer, including funds appropriated by city council for the operation and extension of the recreational and park facilities of the city, shall be made only as the commission shall direct.

(Adopted 11-7-72; renumbered 11-3-98.)