Recreation & the Arts 1970-1999

fire plug

People in the 1970s became very patriotic with the bicentennial celebrations. The United State celebrated its bicentennial in 1976.  Do you know what bicentennial means?  Many competitions were held with organizations creatively painting fire hydrants.  Some groups chose to paint their hydrants with a character such as the one shown here.

In 1984 the railroad track that ran through Hilliard was abandoned. It remained abandoned until 1995 when it began to be a trail for people to use for walking, hiking, biking, and skating. The Heritage Rail Trail started in the center of Hilliard and runs west toward Plain City. Homestead Park, in Washington Township, was built next to the rail trail. This 44-acre park has a train station replica, water play area, pond, as well as other typical outdoor fun play areas. 

Community members enjoyed swimming in the new Hilliard Municipal Pool that was the largest stainless steel pool in the world in 1977.  Many swimmers said it was the finest 50-meter 8-lane facility in the Midwest. 

References

The Quartoquecentennial of a Pride Community-1978 Hilliard, Ohio
Overview Compiled and Edited by Beth Glenn.

Photos:
Northwest Franklin County Historical Village