Goodale Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodale Park |
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| Type | Public |
| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
| Area | 32.71 acres (13.24 ha) |
| Elevation | 751 feet (229 m) |
| Administered by | Columbus Recreation and Parks Department |
| Public transit access |  Add→ 1, 2, 5, 8, CBUS, Night Owl CoGo |
Goodale Park is a public park located in the Victorian Village area of Columbus, Ohio. It was given to the city in 1851 by Lincoln Goodale. This park has a rich history!
During the American Civil War, for a few months, it was a training spot for Union soldiers. This camp was known as Camp Jackson. Today, Goodale Park is famous for hosting ComFest. This is a big, free music and arts festival held every June.
The park is just north of downtown Columbus. It has a pond, a pretty gazebo, tennis courts, and a basketball court. It's a great place to relax and have fun!
Goodale Park's Role in the Civil War
From April to June in 1861, Goodale Park became a busy military camp. It was used to gather and train new soldiers for the Union Army. This camp was called Camp Jackson.
The camp started when Governor William Dennison asked communities in Ohio to get their local armies (called militias) ready. He did this because President Lincoln needed more soldiers.
A tall fence was built around the camp. Many curious people would gather outside, but only a few visitors were allowed inside. Reports from that time say the soldiers ate very well while they were at Camp Jackson.
One Saturday morning, a group of soldiers called the Governor's Guards marched through Columbus. They wanted to encourage local people to join the army and show their support. A Captain Morrow was very good at getting new recruits. His company grew so large that he started a second one! Young men interested in joining were told to come to Camp Jackson early.
In June, the military training moved to Camp Chase, which was about 4 miles west of Columbus. Goodale Park then went back to being a public park. At its busiest, about 8,000 soldiers were stationed at Camp Jackson. Two future presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley, were among the officers who served there.
Park Features and Fun
Goodale Park offers many things to do and see. You can enjoy the peaceful pond or visit the charming gazebo. For those who like sports, there are tennis courts and a basketball court. The park also has restrooms for visitors. It's a wonderful spot for families and friends to spend time outdoors.
Gallery
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Pond and gazebo
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Fountain
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Arched entranceway
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Charles Benton Flagg Memorial
Images for kids
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Gates dating to the 1860s
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Lake and boathouse c. 1897
