Columbus Commons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Columbus Commons |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) (originally 9 acres) |
| Created | May 26, 2011 |
| Operated by | Capitol South |
| Status | Open all year 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. |
| Public transit access |  Add→ 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 102, AirConnect, CBUS, CMAX CoGo |
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons is a large, 6-acre (2.4 ha) park in downtown Columbus, Ohio. It's a green space built where the old Columbus City Center mall used to be. The park has beautiful gardens, a stage for performances, a fun carousel, and interactive play areas. There are also two places to grab food.
The park was created by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) and Capitol South. It first opened its doors on May 26, 2011. On May 11, 2017, the park was renamed to honor John F. Wolfe. He was an important community leader who passed away in 2016.
Contents
History of Columbus Commons
The Columbus City Center mall was not doing well. So, in February 2009, plans were made to replace it. The idea was to build a new area with a park, homes, offices, restaurants, and shops.
The Columbus City Council approved the plan. Funds were used to help pay for the project. The CDDC and Capitol South, along with other groups, helped fund the park's development.
Work to tear down the old mall started in September 2009. Building the Columbus Commons park began in mid-2010. The park officially opened to the public on May 26, 2011.
Fun Things to Do at Columbus Commons
The Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion
The Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion is a special stage area in the park. It was built to celebrate Columbus's 200th birthday in 2012. This unique structure brings people to downtown Columbus for live concerts and shows all year.
The pavilion was designed by FTL Design Engineering Studio. This company also designed famous stages in Washington, D.C., and New York City. The Columbus design is one-of-a-kind. It has a white fabric roof and a large stage. It also has modern lighting, video, and sound equipment.
Construction of the pavilion started in late 2011. It opened in May 2012, just in time for summer events. Many groups helped pay for it, including the City of Columbus and large companies like American Electric Power and Nationwide Insurance.
The Carousel at Columbus Commons
The Commons has a fun carousel with 20 seats. Its characters were carved by hand by Carousel Works in Mansfield. You can ride traditional horses, or choose a fish, a tiger, or a giraffe. There's even an OSU-themed cart!
The carousel's canopy has murals showing local scenes. You can see images of the Ohio Stadium and Franklin Park Conservatory. A ride on the carousel costs just $1.
Places to Eat
You can find two cafes at Columbus Commons. Taquero Mexican Street Kitchen serves delicious Mexican food. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams offers tasty ice cream. These shops are usually open from May through October.
Beautiful Gardens
The park has twelve large garden plots, each about 2,000-square-foot (190 m2). The Franklin Park Conservatory designs and takes care of these gardens. Columbus has four seasons, and the gardens look beautiful all year long. They have many different plants, including flowers, shrubs, and evergreens.
Open Play Areas
Columbus Commons offers several fun spots for visitors. There's a NEOS electronic playground where you can play interactive games. The Imagination Playground is also available. It has large foam shapes and blocks that kids can use to build anything they imagine.
Events and Activities
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons hosts over 200 events every year. Capitol South plans many activities from May to October. These include concerts, family events, kickball games, outdoor movies, and fitness classes. You can also find many food trucks there.
The park has hosted many big events. These include the Columbus Food Truck and Cart Festival and the Capital City Half Marathon. It's also the summer home for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. They have performed their Picnic with the Pops series here since 2012.
Getting to the Park
Columbus Commons is easy to reach. There are two parking garages right next to the park. The Main Garage is at 55 E. Rich St. The Underground Garage is at 191 S Third Street. Parking fees from these garages help support the free events at the park.
The park is also near the COTA Transit Terminal. This is a bus station for the Central Ohio Transit Authority. Many city bus lines stop nearby. There's also a CoGo bikeshare station close by if you prefer to bike.
Awards and Recognition
Columbus Commons has received several awards. In 2012, it won an EXPY award from Experience Columbus. In 2014, the park was a finalist for the ULI Open Space Award.
