Walnut Trace Celebrates Grand Opening, New Senior Independent Living Community in Gahanna

GAHANNA, Ohio ­– National Church Residences celebrates the grand opening of Walnut Trace, its newest Central Ohio senior living community located in Gahanna. This beautiful $21 million 93-unit independent living apartment complex offers middle-income seniors a fitness center, The Walnut Café bistro, club room, community room, arts and crafts room, library and covered garage parking.

Located at 389 Olde Ridenour Road in Gahanna, Walnut Trace is named for the nearby Big Walnut River and its tree-lined walking trail (or “trace”).

“Bringing Walnut Trace to life was a natural extension of our mission work already taking place in Gahanna,” said Denise Anderson, vice president of senior living at National Church Residences. “The City of Gahanna has been a part of National Church Residences’ commitment to serving seniors for 42 years, beginning with the development of Stygler Village in 1977. Additionally,  we’re proud to celebrate Walnut Trace as our first community that has been both designed and developed from the ground up specifically for middle-income seniors, an underserved population in our region.”

Walnut Trace features verdant natural surroundings visible from private terraces and balconies in each apartment, common outdoor patios and balcony spaces as well as pocket gardens and lush landscaping throughout the grounds. The community also borders on the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, and McCorkle and Lower McCorkle Parks.

On November 4, National Church Residences hosted a grand opening celebration with its development partners, as well as local leaders, including the mayor of Gahanna. “With more than 60% of our citizens being lifelong residents of Gahanna, the need to provide updated and diverse housing stock to satisfy all stages of life is critical,“ noted Mayor Laurie Jadwin. “Walnut Trace represents the next tier of housing to support our senior population, allowing for the revolving opportunities of housing that meet the needs of all levels of families here in Gahanna.  We are honored that National Church Residences continues to recognize value in being located within our city, and we thank them for their significant investment in our community.”

State Representative Mary Lightbody, of Ohio House District 19, visited Walnut Trace on November 2 and presented the staff with a proclamation. She also wanted to express her gratitude for Walnut Trace and the offerings it brings to area seniors.

With the opening of Walnut Trace in September, National Church Residences has nearly 8,000 apartment units in 99 communities across Ohio.

About National Church Residences

National Church Residences serves more than 42,000 seniors through its array of housing and health care services. The not-for-profit organization is driven by a vision of advancing better living for all seniors, enabling them to remain home for life. With 340 communities in 25 states, it is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers residential senior communities, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.