The Columbus Park Board has a new member after Julie Abedian was appointed by Mayor Jim Lienhoop. Abedian is the Vice President of Community Partnerships and Corporate Responsibility at Columbus Regional Health (CRH). Her appointment comes after the resignation of former Parks Board member Dave Jones.

The city’s Executive Director of Administration, Mary Ferdon, says that Abedian is a 23-year resident of Columbus. Ferdon notes that Abedian, and her family, are “passionate about Columbus parks.” In a statement, Abedian said of her family, “We live next to the People Trail and log a lot of miles on them. Steve (husband and Director at Cummins) coached Parks and Rec soccer teams for years. Our boys grew up playing on city playgrounds and skating at Hamilton Center. They learned how to swim at Donner Pool, became accomplished college athletes playing on the local soccer fields, and had fun attending Strings Camp at Youth Camp,” says Abedian.

Ferdon says that Abedian’s work at CRH and on the Healthy Communities Council has engaged her in many health-focused parks facility projects and initiatives for youth and adults. Mark Jones, Director of Columbus Parks and Recreation, says that he is thrilled with the appointment. “Julie is a great addition to the Board and we look forward to having her work with the rest of the Parks Board to continue to grow our parks department.”