Forest Park is an area in northeast Columbus Ohio with a history of being an innovative, planned development. Garnering prominence throughout the United States when development began 1961.

This was an innovative concept. Families were attracted to the area because of the combination of factors. All planned out in advance. A subdivision, arising from farmland, with a shopping center, swimming pool, bowling alley and city planned new schools as well. Plus parks were part of the plan as well. 

Forest Park West, the first phase of what would become a 2,900-home subdivision between East Dublin-Granville and Morse roads, was one of the first self-contained communities in the country when the initial 36 houses were completed in June 1961.

Some area history from Wiki & others: Forest Park was developed beginning in the late 1950s by the Metzger Brothers Company, founded in 1955. Metzger Brothers also developed Devonshire and several other communities in the Northland area. Columbus was expanding through use of annexation beyond its 1950 boundaries. This led to incorporation into the city. The construction of I-71N, which became the west boundary of Forest Park and the easy of the drive, or commute stimulated new development in the area.

The majority of homes in Forest Park West (west of Karl Road) were built in the 1960s. In the early years of the decade, it was the site of a Parade of Homes. Forest Park West's development largely coincided with the construction and expansion of the Northland Mall, which opened as the first shopping mall in Columbus in 1964.

Development of Forest Park East followed in 1965 and continued throughout the 1970s. In the mid-1970s, E. Dublin-Granville Road (SR-161) was reconstructed as a divided highway, though the portion just north of Forest Park remains a major commercial and retail corridor.

Forest Park Civic Association:  Forest Park Civic Association

Info from FPCA: 

The History and Character of Forest Park
President John Adams originally awarded the region now developed as Forest Park to James Hamilton in payment for military services during the Revolutionary War. This acreage was subsequently sold to others and developed into farms, in which state it remained until its acquisition by the Forest Park developers. The Metzger Brothers Company developed Forest Park as a well-planned, self-contained community. In 1961, Forest Park West was the first residential neighborhood in Columbus, and among the first in the nation, to incorporate internal shopping and recreation, making it self-sufficient. The development of Forest Park East followed in 1965.

Present-day Forest Park, encompassing approximately 1.4 square miles, contains nearly 2900 single-family homes, along with duplexes, apartments and condominiums. Altogether, an estimated 7500 people call Forest Park home.

The community’s two internal shopping centers include restaurants, a bowling center, convenience stores, optometry, health and child care, car wash and self-storage facilities, and other light retail and service businesses. It is served by and helps support the East Dublin-Granville (SR-161) and Morse Road retail corridors, as well as the Polaris and Easton retail complexes.

Five schools are located in Forest Park proper (Avalon, Parkmoor and Forest Park Elementary Schools, Northland High School and independent K-12 Marburn Academy - now in New Albany), and several other public and private schools are within a one mile radius of the community’s center. A branch of the Columbus Public Library, a recreation facility operated by the YMCA and several churches are located on Karl Road, near the center of the community. The 49 acre Woodward Park and Nature Preserve, which includes a recreation center, athletic fields, tennis courts, picnic areas and a walking trail, forms the southern boundary of Forest Park West, and several smaller (4 to 5 acre) city parks are located within and adjacent to Forest Park East.

First developed: Forest Park West

Forest Park East, 2nd area developed

Parks:

Forest Park East

5145 Riverbirch Dr N, Columbus, OH 43229

Northtowne Park

4778 Heatherton Dr, Columbus, OH 43229

Woodward Park 

5147 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

Woodward Nature Preserve

5121 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH 43229

Forest Park - 1961 The Home Builders Association's: Parade of Homes

47 builders homes were featured in the "Plan Book":

#47 Parade Home. 1503 Boxwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Lawrence Russo 

#46 Parade Home. 1506 Boxwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Charles W. Larcomb

#45 Parade Home. 1503 Boxwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Metzger Brothers Construction Co

#44 Parade Home. 1519 Boxwood Dr, Columbus Ohio 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Joseph DePietro 

 
#43 Parade Home. 5236 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus Ohio 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by C. W. Stirgwolt

#42 Parade Home. 5242 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus Ohio 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by E. W. Preston

#41 Parade Home. 5252 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Bob Coate Builders, Inc

#40 Parade Home. 5253 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Jack W. Mercer

#39 Parade Home. 5260 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Elvin Moor

#38 Parade Home. 5261 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by V & L Construction Co.

#37 Parade Home. 5268 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Castle Builders

#36 Parade Home. 5269 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Eagle Builders

#35 Parade Home. 5274 Hazelwood Dr, Columbus OH 43229: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbus (BIA), by Richard Gordon