Go Ottawa Awarded AEP Ohio Foundation Grant to Transform Memorial Park Caboose into Sensory Play & Learning Space

Go Ottawa, in partnership with the Village of Ottawa Park Board, is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the American Electric Power (AEP) Ohio Foundation to transform the historic caboose at Memorial Park into a sensory play and learning space designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and engagement for children and families.

The project will preserve one of Memorial Park's most recognizable landmarks while giving it new purpose as an interactive community destination. Improvements will include an updated entry, interior upgrades, and sensory play features that provide tactile, visual, and hands-on learning opportunities for children with a variety of sensory and developmental needs. The project also establishes a partnership with Ottawa Elementary School to develop programming that will utilize the caboose as an outdoor learning environment.

"This project is about creating new opportunities for children to learn, explore, and connect," said Sherri Recker, Village of Ottawa Park Board Volunteer. "For generations, the caboose has been a favorite landmark in Memorial Park. Thanks to the AEP Ohio Foundation, we're able to reimagine this cherished piece of Ottawa's history as a space that supports imaginative play, sensory exploration, and outdoor learning."

The sensory caboose complements ongoing efforts by Go Ottawa, the Village of Ottawa, and the Putnam County Health Department to improve Memorial Park and expand opportunities for residents of all ages to enjoy its amenities. Community assessments and Ottawa's strategic planning process identified improvements to parks, recreation, and accessibility as important priorities, and this project represents another meaningful step toward creating welcoming public spaces for everyone.

"We are incredibly grateful to the AEP Ohio Foundation for investing in our community," said Jacqueline Langhals, Go Ottawa Executive Director. "This project reflects the power of partnerships and demonstrates how we can preserve the places that tell Ottawa's story while creating new experiences for future generations."

Construction is expected to begin this Autumn, with the sensory caboose opening to the public following project completion.