Hilliard

Brown Township is the crossing between Ohio’s natural wildlife and suburban living. With the Big Darby Creek on its western border, the neighborhood is about preserving and protecting the land and ecosystems. “To protect the wildlife, we need to protect the land that’s near it,” says Brown Township Board of Trustees member Pam Sayre. “Brown works as a buffer between the land and the rest of Columbus.” Homes in Brown often have three to four bedrooms, giving residents plenty of space to relax at home. Craftsman models are common, usually offering around 3,000 square feet, and some homes in the farming community have five-acre lots. Many homes have two-car garages and wide driveways that can comfortably fit two SUVs, so street parking isn’t necessary. Streets may have some younger trees but are often more open for a more intimate community experience. Homebuyers can find some older ranch-style homes scattered throughout the township, offering the same number of bedrooms as the Craftsman. “It’s for people who want to go out into a piece of the country and aren’t really interested in living in denser quarters,” says Sayre. Most homes range from $450,000 to $650,000. Homes closer to Hilliard with more bedrooms may cost closer to $850,000. Prairie Oaks Metro Park is a 2291-acre park with multiple lakes, grasslands and prairies. People can canoe and kayak on Beaver Lake, the Darby Bend Lakes and Big Darby Creek. In the winter, the Coneflower and Bridle trails are open for cross-country skiing. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is 7,000 acres. In addition to canoeing and kayaking on the Big and Little Darby Creeks, locals can also fish. The Nature Center has a living stream flowing through it and is stocked with native creatures from the creeks. The park has also worked to restore the natural Ohio wildlife, including reintroducing bison to two enclosed pastures on the property. Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park is 130 acres with an 18-hole disc golf course and an amphitheater on the grounds. It also has an aquatic center with water slides and outdoor pools. Brown Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade. Hilliard Station Sixth Grade Elementary School is a separate school for sixth graders. Niche gives both schools a B. Students graduate to Hilliard Memorial Middle School, often just called Memorial. Hilliard Bradley High School offers AP classes and the College Credit Plus (CCP) program, where students can dual enroll at local colleges and universities. In the winter, they also have a ski club for students. Both schools receive a B-plus from Niche. Otie’s Tavern and Grill brings Greek flavors and styles to American classics for a more cultural mix. Legacy Smokehouse offers Central Texan barbecue with their smoked meats. Kuhlwein’s Farm Market and Deli brings local products and vendors to Brown residents. The farmers market runs during the week and offers more than produce, including fresh, hot soups. Tanglewood Plaza is 5 miles from Brown and has a Walmart Supercenter, Target and Meijer. 6 miles away along 270, CAM International Market brings specialty Asian goods to the neighborhood. Kroger is only 6 miles away in Galloway Ridge. The neighborhood borders Hilliard, giving residents access to its events and celebrations. Freedom Fest takes place on the Fourth of July in Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park and offers live music, food trucks and games before the fireworks shop. In the winter, the annual tree lighting brings seasonal festivities to the area. “Every five years, we’re trying to do an event at the firehouse to celebrate the building of the fire station,” Sayre says. It has informational centers and a way for the community to get together. Brown is 14 miles from Columbus, which residents can access via I-70. Because most amenities are located outside of the township’s boundaries, this is a more car-dependent neighborhood. I-270 has many shops and commercial outlets situated along it. “We like being out here,” Sayre says. “We like the peace and serenity.”