Plans to give Portsmouth’s historic Mound Park a long-overdue makeover are still moving forward — just a little slower than hoped — as organizers balance playground dreams with ancient history.
A Project Rooted in Community — and History
Back in 2024, the Hilltop Initiative Neighborhood Association won a $200,000 ARPA grant to replace outdated playground equipment. But because Mound Park sits on top of a prehistoric Native American earthwork, renovations have required extra care.
The park’s namesake mound — a horseshoe-shaped earthwork — is believed to be part of the same Adena and Hopewell culture network that once spanned Southern Ohio, including the famous Serpent Mound in Adams County and the earthworks complexes in Chillicothe and Newark, now recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Portsmouth’s mound, though smaller, is one of the last surviving signs of the vast ceremonial centers that once lined the Ohio River.
Because of that heritage, the Hilltop Initiative brought in archaeologists to conduct a full survey before construction begins. During the survey, they made an exciting discovery — a burn pit used for food preparation, close to the surface. That finding forced the team to relocate the planned playground site to protect the artifact.
Balancing Play, Safety, and Preservation
Former secretary Jay Dahler says the group expects to break ground in 2026, with the full project estimated between $800,000 and $900,000. He’s confident they’ve chosen a contractor with a strong record on park projects across the region.
“Because of where the mound sits, we want this to be more than a playground,” Dahler explained. “It’ll also be an educational experience, a place where kids can play and learn about the people who lived here thousands of years ago.”
The group has been in contact with the Native American Tribes and Arc of Appalachia to ensure designs and signage honor the site’s Native heritage and complement other earthwork parks in the region.
Accessibility and Safety Come First
Every new feature at Mound Park will be ADA-compliant, making it accessible for children of all abilities.
Safety is another top concern. Dahler said one of the project’s goals is to design the space with no hiding places — allowing clear sight lines across the park to discourage the kind of problems other local parks have faced with drug activity and vandalism.
New Leadership, Same Mission
Dahler, who recently stepped down after receiving a kidney transplant from former president Kevin MacDonald, says the project is in good hands. Sara Redoutey now serves as president, Gina Chabot as secretary, and Delmer Hicks as treasurer.
“The grant money is sitting safely in the bank, waiting for the shovels to hit the dirt,” Dahler said. “This new group will bring the buzz back to the project.”
Expect fresh updates on the group’s Hilltop Initiative Facebook page soon, including fundraising announcements and final construction details.
“Mound Park was where we all played as kids,” Dahler added. “Now, it’s time to give this generation — and the next — something just as special.”
