America 250
“We the People…” — Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
America 250-Ohio
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its Semiquincentennial (se-me-kwin-sen-TEN-ee-uhl), the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each community has been encouraged to celebrate and commemorate this anniversary to reflect each community’s unique character and contributions to the nation over the past 250 years.
The City of Dublin is fully embracing this opportunity and officially approved its designation as an AM250-OH Community on March 29, 2024.
The charge of the AM250-OH Commission is “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two-hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.
Ohio has made significant contributions to the United States, from statesmen and artists to Nobel laureates. This narrative spans from the Native Americans to modern-day Ohioans, celebrating the state’s rich history. America 250-Ohio is a multi-year commemoration that highlights the unique role of all 88 counties in our nation’s history. This milestone encourages reflection on our past, honors the contributions of all Americans and envisions a brighter future for generations to come.
Ways To Celebrate
Celebrate the Fourth in Dublin
The Independence Day Celebration is a signature Dublin event that brings our community together each year. Leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, it’s the perfect way to reflect on our nation’s founding, honor our shared values and celebrate together.
Join us each July 4 as we commemorate the birth of American independence with a day full of patriotic fun, family-friendly festivities and unforgettable moments. Our celebration includes:
Fishing Derby
Start the day at the Sherm Sheldon Fishing Derby at Avery Park Pond. Bring your own fishing pole and bait — no registration needed! It’s a relaxing and fun way for families to kick off the holiday together.
Parade
Line the streets as Dublin’s Independence Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. from Metro Center and winds through Historic Dublin. Enjoy marching bands, floats, equestrian teams and more than 100 parade units.
Evening Celebration
Wrap up the day at Dublin Coffman High School with live music and a spectacular fireworks show. Bring your family and friends for an evening of community spirit and celebration under the stars.
As we count down to July 4, 2026, each celebration brings us closer to this historic milestone. Make Dublin part of your annual tradition — and your America 250 journey.
Check out this year’s event details and mark your calendar for July 4!
Dublin Joins the America 250 Creativity Trail
The City of Dublin has partnered with the America 250-Ohio Commission to be an official stop on the new Ohio Creativity Trail, part of the celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. On January 3, 2025, The City signed the America 250-Ohio Trails and Tales agreement, which aims to highlight Ohio’s unique historical narrative and its influence on the United States, through imaginative storytelling and themed routes. “Watch House and Circle Mound“, located in Coffman Park and created by Ohio resident Todd Slaughter, is part of the experiential driving trail of 109 sites across Ohio showcasing the past and present writers, musicians, artists and other creatives who have made significant contributions to artistic expression. The Creativity Trail is the second of six planned experiential trails for America 250-Ohio’s signature Trails and Tales program. Each site highlights a unique aspect of Ohio’s artistic heritage, represented through categories such as music, literature, visual arts, pottery and glass and folk and traditional art.
Discover Dublin’s Past
For those interested in exploring Dublin’s rich history as part of the American story, the Dublin Historical Society offers valuable resources and programming. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Dublin History Museum and the Coffman Homestead to experience firsthand the stories and artifacts that connect Dublin to Ohio’s and America’s broader historical journey.
Explore Ancient Earthworks at Ferris-Wright Park
Step back thousands of years with a guided tour of Ferris-Wright Park, where ancient ceremonial earthworks, native cultures and early settlers all left their mark. Hosted by trained Dublin Heritage Interpreters, these free, family-friendly tours invite you to experience hands-on history — from trying ancient tools to walking the same ground where early ceremonies took place.
The park features one of the northernmost Hopewell earthwork sites in the Scioto Valley, along with a historic farmhouse and interpretive center. Guided tours and open houses are offered throughout the year, including Japanese-language tours.
New in 2025: Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park Tours
Beginning in 2025, visitors can also explore Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park, named for the Revolutionary War hero. Join a nature-meets-history guided walk through nearly 40 acres of woodlands, including a cactus garden, sinkhole and more.
Check back for seasonal tour dates and discover the layers of history beneath your feet — right here in Dublin.
Celebration in the Making
The City of Dublin and its partners are putting the finishing touches on their America 250 celebration plans. Be sure to bookmark this page and visit often for the latest updates as we approach the milestone on July 4, 2026.
DCRC Regular Building Hours
- Monday – Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
2025 Modified Hours
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27 open 8 a.m. – noon
- Christmas Eve: Wednesday, Dec. 24 open 5:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Christmas: Thursday, Dec. 25 – CLOSED
- New Year’s Eve: Wednesday, Dec. 31 open from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2026 Modified Hours
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 open from 8 a.m. to noon
- Easter: Sunday, April 5 – CLOSED
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25 open 8 a.m. — noon
- Independence Day: Saturday, July 4 open 8 a.m. — noon
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 7 – CLOSED
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 26 open 8 a.m. — noon
- Christmas Eve: Thursday, Dec. 24 open 5:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.
- Christmas: Friday, Dec. 25 – CLOSED
- New Year’s Eve: Thursday, Dec. 31 open 5:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.
- New Year’s Day: Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 open 8 a.m. — noon
2026 Dublin Irish Festival Special Hours
- Friday, July 31 open 5:30 a.m. — 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 1 open 7 — 10 a.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 2 – CLOSED
2026 Annual Cleaning, Maintenance & Repairs
The Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) will be closed Saturday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 for annual cleaning, maintenance and repairs. The DCRC will reopen at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Offices will be staffed for phone calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional closings and construction updates visit our website.
Bocce Ball Courts
Two regulation bocce ball courts are available for public use, subject to senior adult programming and league play. Bocce ball sets may be checked out at the Welcome Desk by players 18 and older.
Classrooms
The classrooms house a variety of programs, including pottery and arts & crafts—meeting the needs of preschoolers, children, teens, adults and senior adults.
Community Hall
The Community Hall provides space for parties, receptions, meetings and community events. The facility seats up to 300 or can be divided into smaller rooms.
Abbey theater of Dublin
A 200-seat theater can be used for musical, theatrical and dance performances; film/video; lectures; and seminars.
Computer Lab
Equipped with workstations and a variety of software programs, the computer lab provides high-speed Internet access and opportunities for beginning and intermediate instruction. Open to ages 18 & up.
Family Locker Rooms
Each family locker room has its own shower, restroom and lockers. One locker room, designed for people with special needs, features a dressing table.
Fitness Area
Looking for free weights and cardiovascular equipment? Check out the fully equipped fitness area on the first floor. You will find treadmills, elliptical machines, bicycles and stair steppers along with free weights, Nautilus and a complete set of Cybex strength equipment.
Group Fitness Studios
If you enjoy group fitness, check out the myriad of classes offered. Two state-of-the-art studios feature suspended floors to help reduce impact and injury. Several pass options are available, allowing participants to choose from a weekly schedule of classes that include Spinning®, Pilates and TRX.
Jogging/Walking Track
Joggers and walkers on the second floor track can cover a mile in 13 laps. An expanse of windows provides views of the pools and the outdoors.
Multi-Purpose Pool
The competitive/lap pool measures 25 yards by 25 meters and has two one-meter diving boards. This pool often is divided for activities such as aqua aerobics, open swim, swim team practice and instruction. Bleachers provide ample seating and a separate entrance makes it perfect for area swim meets. The natatorium walls in both the lap and leisure pools are lined with sound-absorbing material.
Leisure Pool
A unique feature of the DCRC is the leisure pool, which includes a lazy river, frog slide for children, double helix slide for those a little more daring and a zero-foot entry point for cautious tots. The warmer water and 3.5-foot maximum depth make this pool perfect for children, adults and senior adults.
Senior Adult Lounge
An elegant, cozy lounge welcomes senior adults to our center. Enjoy playing cards with friends, reading by a fireplace or simply relaxing in this peaceful environment.
Teen Lounge
A teen lounge offers space and a variety of programming opportunities for Dublin teens.
Wee folk/Youth Lounge
While moms and dads are working out, attending a class or relaxing in the hot tub, they can rest assured that their children—from ages 6 weeks to 12 years—are nearby and safe. Children can play in the indoor or outdoor area or engage in age-appropriate games and activities.
Courtesy & Rules
Hours of Operation
Our parks are open for your enjoyment from dawn to dusk, unless otherwise noted at the park or during certain special events.
Shelters/Pavilions
A number of our shelters and pavilions are available to reserve on a first-come, first serve basis. Please be courteous of your neighbors and abide by your reservation times.
Keep it Clean
We’re sure you’ll find Dublin’s parks and bikeways to be clean, beautiful places to enjoy with your family. The City strives to keep its parks, playgrounds and bikeways clean and free of litter. Please leave the parks as clean as you find them so that others will enjoy them as much as you do. Disposal of litter in public places is prohibited unless placed in public trash containers or using City-authorized containers as part of the City’s refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.
Pets
We know your furry friends enjoy nature as much as you do. We ask you to be safe and courteous with your pets.
Animals may not run at-large in our parks. All animals must be under the owner’s control at all times. All pets must be securely leashed, kept in a vehicle or suitably caged.
Animal owners also must pick up and properly dispose of any fecal matter left by their pets. It’s not just courteous — it’s the law!
Horses
Horses are allowed in designated areas of Glacier Ridge Metro Park.
Hunting and Fishing
For the safety of our residents, hunting is forbidden in the City. Fishing is permitted in designated areas, including certain City park ponds and in the Scioto River (with a license). Please fish only in ponds where signs prohibiting fishing are not posted.
Respect our Parks
Plants and animals also are part of the Dublin community. Please respect the plant and animal life and ecosystems of our natural areas. Enjoy the flowers, trees and other flora without picking or damaging plants. Touching or disturbing wildlife, including animal and bird nesting areas and eggs can be dangerous to humans — not to mention our flora and fauna! And please do not damage or remove any property or natural feature, including stones and minerals, earth, wood, and nuts. Take only pictures and leave only footprints in our parks.
Rules & Regulations
Dublin Recreation Services is committed to providing quality recreation programs and facilities for the Dublin community. Use of the facilities by families and citizens is strongly encouraged. The following policies have been established to operate the DCRC and to ensure our patrons quality and safe recreation experiences:
- Proper and valid identification is required to gain access to the DCRC. Users of the DCRC need to check in at the front desk and provide annual pass, resident card, temporary pass or pay the daily pass rate for admittance.
- Annual pass holders who do not present their annual pass will only be admitted if an alternate form of photo identification is produced.
- Resident card holders must present their Dublin Resident ID card each visit to receive the daily pass discount rate.
- Annual passes are not transferable and will be deemed void when in the hands of those other than the proper registrant.
- The DCRC and its grounds are smoke- and alcohol-free environments by City ordinance.
- Eating and drinking is permitted in designated areas only.
- Children ages 9 and under must have adult/guardian at least 16 years of age supervising at all times. Supervising adults must keep children ages 4 and under within arm’s reach; there must be at least one adult for each two children in this age group. Children ages 5 through 7 must be within sight of their attending adult at all times. Children ages 8 and 9 must have an adult in the facility at all times. For children ages 5 through 9, there must be one adult for every five children. Children ages 10 years and over may enter the facility without an adult supervisor.
- Youth must be 16 years of age or older to be on the fitness floor. Youth ages 12 – 15 years are permitted on the fitness floor if directly supervised by an adult or if they have passed the Junior Fitness Card Program (see Fitness Program Section). Youth under the age of 12 years are not permitted on the fitness floor area at anytime.
- Youth must be 13 years of age or older to be on the track or in the track stretching areas. Youth ages 8 – 12 years are permitted on the track if directly supervised by an adult or if they have passed the Junior Track Program (see Fitness Program Section). Youth may enroll in the Junior Track Program if they are ages 10-12. Youth under the age of 8 years are not permitted on the track at anytime unless utilizing the pool observation area with an adult.
- Changes in recreation schedules may occur without notice. Staff will post changes in the schedule with as much advance notice as possible. Current pool, aerobics and open gym schedules are available at the Front Desk.
- Dublin Recreation Services is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. It is strongly recommended that you lock your possessions in a locker during your visit to the DCRC.
- Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Locks may not be left on lockers overnight. Locks which are left overnight will be removed by staff.
- All participants must observe the rules and regulations relating to the safety and operation of the facilities. Any passholder who fails to comply with the rules and regulations of the DCRC will be subject to the following penalties:
- One week’s suspension from use of the facilities upon the first incident;
- Thirty days suspension from use of the facilities upon the second incident;
- One year suspension from use of the facilities upon a third violation; and
- Permanent suspension from use of the facilities upon any subsequent incident.
The following activities, although not an exhaustive list, are examples of behaviors that will result in disciplinary action and police reports when applicable:
- Fighting
- Stealing
- Property Damage
- Disorderly conduct
- Criminal damage
- Verbal abuse of staff and/or patrons
- Not following posted policies and rules
Parks & Recreation
Recreation Services
614.410.4550
Parks, Shelter Houses & Kaltenbach Rentals
614.410.4510
24-Hour Information Hotline:
614.410.4946
Dublin Community Recreation Center Rentals
614.410.4550
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Dublin, Ohio, USA
5555 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio, 43017
Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.