Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio

Coordinates: 39°57′5″N 83°9′15″W / 39.95139°N 83.15417°W / 39.95139; -83.15417
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Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio
Official seal of Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio
Motto(s): 
"Building FUN, Healthy Community!"
Location of Prairie Township in Franklin County
Location of Prairie Township in Franklin County
Coordinates: 39°57′5″N 83°9′15″W / 39.95139°N 83.15417°W / 39.95139; -83.15417
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountyFranklin
Area
 • Total19.1 sq mi (49.5 km2)
 • Land19.0 sq mi (49.2 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Elevation919 ft (280 m)
Population
 • Total17,415
 • Density910/sq mi (350/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code39-64570[3]
GNIS feature ID1086113[1]
Websitewww.prairietownship.org

Prairie Township is one of the seventeen townships of Franklin County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 17,415. Prairie Township is on the far west side of Franklin County touching the east side of Madison County.

Geography[edit]

Located in the western part of the county, the township consists of several parts:

  • Most of the original township, in the west
  • A moderately-sized piece, in the northeast
  • A small piece, in the southwest corner
  • Several small islands, in the far northeast

These various parts have the following borders:

Most of eastern Prairie Township is occupied by the city of Columbus, the county seat of Franklin County. Several populated places are located in the unincorporated areas of the township:

Name and history[edit]

Statewide, the only other Prairie Township is located in Holmes County.

Prairie Township was organized in 1819.[4]

Government[edit]

Prairie Township Administrative Center

The township is governed by a three-member board of trustees, who are elected in November of odd-numbered years to a four-year term beginning on the following January 1. Prairie Township adopted a limited home rule form of government (ORC Section 504) in 2002. Two are elected in the year after the presidential election and one is elected in the year before it. There is also an elected township fiscal officer,[5] who serves a four-year term beginning on April 1 of the year after the election, which is held in November of the year before the presidential election. Vacancies in the fiscal officership or on the board of trustees are filled by the remaining trustees.

Education[edit]

Some areas of this township are in the Hilliard City School District.[6]

Other areas of this township are in the South-Western City School District (Franklin County, Ohio).[7]

Public libraries[edit]

The Westland Area Library of the Southwest Public Libraries is located in the Township.

Parks and recreation[edit]

Prairie Township features six neighborhood parks and a 111-acre sports complex (currently under construction).

The Community Center opened in June 2015 and has an indoor swimming pool, indoor walking track, fitness area and gymnasium.

The Recreation Department hosts annual events including the Pumpkin Swim, Trick or Treat Trail, Holiday Tree Lighting, Touch A Truck, and Discover the Greater Prairie.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ^ "Prairie township, Franklin County, Ohio - Census Bureau Profile". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ Kilbourn, John (1833). The Ohio Gazetteer, or, a Topographical Dictionary. Scott and Wright. pp. 381. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  5. ^ §503.24, §505.01, and §507.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. Accessed 4/30/2009.
  6. ^ "Facts & Figures" (Archive). Hilliard City School District. Retrieved on June 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "South-Western City School District (Franklin County, Ohio)".

External links[edit]