Who Gets to Call Worthington Home?

When you hear talk about introducing more housing in Worthington, the debate has been reduced to a choice between apartments or parks. Or it turns into a numbers game about how many residents favor one option and how many do not. But comprehensive planning is not a popularity contest. It is about preparing for the future:  our kids who want a first apartment, our parents who want to stay near family as they age, and the people who hope to make Worthington their home if we let them.

I hear the concerns from residents who are not in favor of apartments or higher density. Those feelings come from a deep care for Worthington’s character. At the same time, we have to ask hard questions. What kind of community are we if our own kids cannot afford to live here once they leave home? What kind of future are we building if our parents cannot stay here independently as they age? If we only plan for single-family homes on larger lots, we are closing the door on many of the people who give Worthington its strength, its continuity, and its vibrancy.

Another concern often raised is about preserving parks and green space. Parks are part of Worthington’s identity, and we value them deeply. At the same time, we should recognize that Worthington already has significant park space compared to many communities our size. The question is not whether parks matter but whether we are willing to say no to new neighbors in order to preserve every possible acre. What good are beautiful parks if future generations cannot afford to live here to enjoy them? The real challenge is balance: maintaining our green spaces while also ensuring we have homes that meet the needs of current and future residents.

This is where engagement matters. We cannot reduce the conversation to “Do you want apartments?” or “Do you want parks?” Instead, we should ask broader questions: What kind of future do we want for Worthington? What values matter most to us: vibrancy, greenery, walkability, a mix of generations, a difference of perspectives and life experiences, a sense of community? When we frame the conversation this way, we begin to see that different types of housing are tools to help us achieve the future we say we want.

Our Vision Worthington community process laid out the values we share: being welcoming, connected, sustainable, and vibrant. Housing is one of the most powerful ways to live those values out in everyday life. It is through housing that we decide whether people at different stages of life can remain here, whether young families can grow here, and whether new neighbors can join us and contribute to our future.

Comprehensive planning is about more than density, design standards, or the amount of parkland. It is about making sure Worthington remains welcoming, connected, and vibrant for generations to come. That means creating housing choices that allow people across ages, incomes, and perspectives to stay, return, or make Worthington their home for the first time.

What you can do now:

1. Learn more about and participate in the city’s comprehensive planning process—our shared plan for what Worthington should look and feel like as we grow—by visiting worthingtontogether.org.

2. Be informed and make your voice heard in Worthington’s City Council election. Vote on or before November 4.