Powell

Liberty Township’s accessibility, range of historic homes and new construction, and a highly rated school district are why it’s one of the fastest growing areas in central Ohio. It’s why township leaders are developing a Liberty 2040 plan for the future to include a series of goals and objectives to maintain the more spacious areas while leaving room for the housing and infrastructure to come. The township is split down the middle by Sawmill Parkway and Powell Road, which serve as lifelines for the community to access retail, restaurants, entertainment and everyday essentials. Liberty Township’s rapid growth is evident in the amount of new construction on the market. Newer homes scattered throughout the area are priced between $400,000 and $600,000, depending on the number of bedrooms, ranging from two to four. There’s also an option for buyers looking for golf course living, including five-bedroom colonials on third-acre lots selling for $675,000. Acreage is a hot commodity in Liberty Township. Houses sit on anywhere from one to nine acres—the more land, the higher the price tag. A five-bedroom farmhouse on 1.2 acres costs $995,000, while a custom build on five acres will cross the $2 million mark. Buyers with a budget of around $500,000 can find ranch homes on more than an acre near the Scioto River. Students are zoned for the highly rated Olentangy Local School District. They may attend Liberty Tree Elementary, Scioto Ridge Elementary or Tyler Run Elementary, all earning A grades from Niche. The same rating has been given to Hyatts, Shanahan and Olentangy Liberty Middle schools. Liberty Township has three high schools – Olentangy, Olentangy Liberty, and Olentangy Berlin. Olentangy Berlin and Olentangy Liberty earned A ratings from Niche, while Olentangy High School gets an A-plus. In 2022, Olentangy Berlin garnered national attention after winning the “Most Spirited High School in America” contest conducted by Varsity Brands, which led to an award of $25,000. Commuters working at The Ohio State University or any other major employers in downtown Columbus can take the Central Ohio Transit Authority to and from the city. There’s a stop near the Columbus Zoo and several stops at the township’s southern end along Summit View Road. Otherwise, they’ll have to hop in their cars and drive 20 miles south to the city center. Small shopping centers sit adjacent to Sawmill Parkway and house big box grocery stores like Kroger and ALDI. Auto repair shops, gas stations, banks, Walgreens, and CVS also flank the thoroughfare. Chain and fast food restaurants are more common in this area, whereas locally owned eateries and boutiques are farther east off Powell Road, which eventually becomes East Olentangy Street. Locals gather at Prohibition Gastro Lounge, where sports fans can catch the game upstairs, and martinis are served underground on the lounge’s lower level. Oishii Japanese Bistro and Local Roots are a few other laid-back options for residents. The town’s namesake park is also its largest, stretching across more than 100 acres. With more than 2 miles of wooded trails, several playgrounds, and basketball and tennis courts, there’s something for people of all ages to do. There’s also a stocked fishing pond and a tranquility garden for people who want a little more calm. At Havener Park, locals can play a game of lacrosse or soccer or go for a walk along a 1.5-mile-long trail. The pathway winding through densely wooded areas eventually connects with the Deer Haven Preserve Trail system, which spans nearly a mile throughout Deer Haven Park. There, residents can explore prairies and wetlands. Another option for hikers and bikers is the Sawmill Parkway Trail. The nearly 8-mile-long system links locals to the city of Delaware. Locals of Liberty Township have the luxury of living near the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. However, they may have to wade through a bit of traffic due to the amount of people visiting to see the more than 7,000 animals throughout the attraction. The zoo is situated in the township’s southwestern corner next to the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark, with 17 slides, a giant wave pool, and a lazy river. People can also try navigating through the waterpark’s aquatic-themed obstacle course, Otter Banks.