Clintonville Outfitters
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As printed in Columbus Monthly 12/06
Best Neighborhoods
Calling this sprawling area of about 23,000 people one neighborhood may seem like a stretch. Clintonville,
which extends from north of Ohio State to Worthington, actually is a collection of some 80 varying enclaves, such
as Crestview, Dominion Park, Indian Springs, Overbrook, and Delawanda.
Yet, a deep sense of community pride-forged over the decades-unites residents under the banner of Clintonville.
This unity is achieved through such strong organizations as the Clintonville Arts Guild, the Clintonville Woman's
Club, the Clintonville Historical Society, the Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Clintonville Area
Commission. It's also accomplished by such community events as the Clintonville Arts & Music Festival, two
Clintonville homes tours and the 57-year-old Fourth of July celebration at Whetstone Park-the neighborhood's
recreational hub that also is home to the Whetstone Branch library and the nationally acclaimed Park of Roses.
Neighborhood activist Paul Bingle says there's an intangible spirit about the place. "Drive down the streets, and
you feel the hum of life, the parklike atmosphere, the well-kept streets," he says. "Without saying a word, you get
the sense of community. Then start talking to people and there's an undeniable neighborliness, like a warm
arm slipping around you."
There's a strong sense of civic duty in Clintonville; the area commission is recognized as a forceful advocate for
the area. "It was interesting working with city government to get things like new street lights and improvements,"
says Bingle, a former commission member. "it was always, 'You blankety-blank Clintonville people always want
the best.' And I'd say, 'Well, yes.' We're opinionated. The city knew it couldn't just throw Clintonville the cheap
and quick fix. This community wants to be engaged. And it binds us together in strange alliances. It's people
who don't know each other today, coming together tomorrow on projects...We lock arms and fight passionately
for our community."
Clintonville features the natural beauty of four ravines-Glen Echo, Overbrook, Walhalla, and Bill Moose-within
walking distance of two busy urban thoroughfares-North High Street and Indianola Avenue. Businesses include
one-of-a-kind destinations that attract people from throughout the city: Clintonville Community Market, the
Winemaker's Shop, Studio 35 Movie Theater, Nancy's Home Cooking, and Whole World Natural Restaurant and
Bakery.
"They move here because of the natural beauty and the opportunity to live int he city," says Chris Gawronski,
chairman of the Clintonville Area Commission, who spent his childhood in the area and returned six years ago.
"There's a combination of residences and neighborhood commercial areas,k so there are things nearby the
people can go to. Personally, I find the walkability to be wonderful."
There's also a varied housing stock, from the stately old homes that line East North Broadway to the smaller
Cape Cods in the northern part. "You can't go on any street without hearing the hammers and saws of home
improvements," says Bingle. "That's the noise of Clintonville right now. It's an audible vote of support for the
staying power of Clintonville. We're saying, 'This is where we want to stay and we think it's a worthy investment."
Best Neighborhoods
Calling this sprawling area of about 23,000 people one neighborhood may seem like a stretch. Clintonville,
which extends from north of Ohio State to Worthington, actually is a collection of some 80 varying enclaves, such
as Crestview, Dominion Park, Indian Springs, Overbrook, and Delawanda.
Yet, a deep sense of community pride-forged over the decades-unites residents under the banner of Clintonville.
This unity is achieved through such strong organizations as the Clintonville Arts Guild, the Clintonville Woman's
Club, the Clintonville Historical Society, the Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Clintonville Area
Commission. It's also accomplished by such community events as the Clintonville Arts & Music Festival, two
Clintonville homes tours and the 57-year-old Fourth of July celebration at Whetstone Park-the neighborhood's
recreational hub that also is home to the Whetstone Branch library and the nationally acclaimed Park of Roses.
Neighborhood activist Paul Bingle says there's an intangible spirit about the place. "Drive down the streets, and
you feel the hum of life, the parklike atmosphere, the well-kept streets," he says. "Without saying a word, you get
the sense of community. Then start talking to people and there's an undeniable neighborliness, like a warm
arm slipping around you."
There's a strong sense of civic duty in Clintonville; the area commission is recognized as a forceful advocate for
the area. "It was interesting working with city government to get things like new street lights and improvements,"
says Bingle, a former commission member. "it was always, 'You blankety-blank Clintonville people always want
the best.' And I'd say, 'Well, yes.' We're opinionated. The city knew it couldn't just throw Clintonville the cheap
and quick fix. This community wants to be engaged. And it binds us together in strange alliances. It's people
who don't know each other today, coming together tomorrow on projects...We lock arms and fight passionately
for our community."
Clintonville features the natural beauty of four ravines-Glen Echo, Overbrook, Walhalla, and Bill Moose-within
walking distance of two busy urban thoroughfares-North High Street and Indianola Avenue. Businesses include
one-of-a-kind destinations that attract people from throughout the city: Clintonville Community Market, the
Winemaker's Shop, Studio 35 Movie Theater, Nancy's Home Cooking, and Whole World Natural Restaurant and
Bakery.
"They move here because of the natural beauty and the opportunity to live int he city," says Chris Gawronski,
chairman of the Clintonville Area Commission, who spent his childhood in the area and returned six years ago.
"There's a combination of residences and neighborhood commercial areas,k so there are things nearby the
people can go to. Personally, I find the walkability to be wonderful."
There's also a varied housing stock, from the stately old homes that line East North Broadway to the smaller
Cape Cods in the northern part. "You can't go on any street without hearing the hammers and saws of home
improvements," says Bingle. "That's the noise of Clintonville right now. It's an audible vote of support for the
staying power of Clintonville. We're saying, 'This is where we want to stay and we think it's a worthy investment."