Upper Arlington holds its first Master Plan public workshop Sept. 2 at the Bob Crane Community Center. The session runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at 3200 Tremont Road.

The workshop opens the public input phase of the Upper Arlington 2026 Master Plan, a planning effort that will guide the city's growth, land use and investment decisions. The city's current Master Plan dates to 2001 and was last updated in 2013.

According to the city's Master Plan engagement page, Wednesday's session will give residents a chance to share input on key issues, opportunities and priorities as the city begins shaping a collective vision and goals.

The Master Plan update covers three areas: the Master Plan itself, a Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan update and an Urban Forestry Plan. Regional growth pressures on commercial reinvestment, housing and transportation are among the forces driving the update, according to city records.

City Manager Steve Schoeny pointed to the Bob Crane Community Center as proof that resident-driven planning works. "From beginning to end, residents helped shape this life-changing investment in our health, wellbeing and community identity," Schoeny said in a July 17 city announcement launching the process.

Parks & Recreation Director Debbie McLaughlin echoed that message in the same July announcement. She said the department achieved most goals from its previous comprehensive plan and is eager to have a new plan guiding long-term investments in facilities, programs and parks.

The planning effort is not new. A steering committee has been meeting since at least May, when subcommittees reviewed technical analysis and identified preliminary survey questions at a May 21 working session at the community center.

Two more public workshops are planned later in the process. A second meeting will present the preliminary vision and core values developed from early engagement. A third will let residents review a draft of the full plan. Dates for those sessions have not been announced.

Residents who cannot attend Wednesday's workshop can still participate through the city's online Master Plan Survey, open through Sept. 11. As we reported Aug. 30, additional surveys are also scheduled: a Bob Crane Community Center Satisfaction Survey from Sept. 21 through Oct. 9 and a City Facilities Accessibility Survey in October. More information is available at upperarlingtonmasterplan.com.