Scioto Mile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scioto Mile |
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| Administered by | Columbus Recreation and Parks Department |
| Public transit access |  Add→ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 CoGo |
The Scioto Mile is a cool area in Columbus, Ohio, with lots of parks and walking paths. It stretches along both sides of the Scioto River, connecting downtown Columbus and the neighborhood of Franklinton. There are nine parks in total, covering about 145 acres. It's a great place for families and friends to explore!
Contents
History of the Scioto Mile
How the Riverfront Changed Over Time
A long time ago, at the start of the 1900s, the banks of the Scioto River in Columbus weren't very special. There were just houses and businesses right up to the water. Later, important city buildings like Columbus City Hall and the Ohio Judicial Center were built nearby.
The first park along the river was Bicentennial Park, added in 1976. Then, Battelle Riverfront Park opened in 1983. These parks were separate, and a busy five-lane road called Civic Center Drive cut them off from downtown.
In 1992, a copy of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa María, was docked at Battelle Riverfront Park. The idea was to attract people to the river, but it didn't work very well.
Creating the Scioto Mile Parks
When Michael B. Coleman became mayor in 2000, he wanted to make the riverfront a lively place. The plan for the Scioto Mile was to connect the existing parks and bring people closer to the river.
The Scioto Mile project happened between 2011 and 2015. First, Civic Center Drive was made smaller, going from five lanes to three. This allowed for new features like fountains, gardens, and special covered areas called pavilions.
Next, the entire park area along the Scioto River was updated. Bicentennial Park, for example, was completely redesigned.
Making the River Better
For a long time, the Scioto River was slow-moving and muddy. This was because of the Main Street Dam, built in 1918 to help control floods. But this dam also made the river twice as wide, about 600 feet across.
In 2013, the dam was removed. This, along with cleaning out mud from the riverbed, made the river narrower, about 300 feet wide. This change also gave the city about 33 acres of new land that used to be underwater. The new parks have really helped make the downtown area of Columbus much more exciting!
Driverless Shuttles at the Scioto Mile
From late 2018 to 2019, a cool project called Smart Columbus tested electric driverless shuttles. These shuttles drove in a loop around the Scioto Mile. The program later moved to a different neighborhood in Columbus in 2020.
Exploring the Scioto Mile Parks
The Scioto Mile includes several amazing parks:
- Alexander AEP Park
- Battelle Riverfront Park
- Bicentennial Park
- Dorrian Green
- Genoa Park
- McFerson Commons
- North Bank Park
- Scioto Audubon Metro Park
- The Scioto Mile Promenade
All these parks are owned by the city. They are free to visit and open to everyone. You can enjoy them all year round, usually from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fun Events and Activities
The Scioto Mile is a hub for many exciting events throughout the year. Some popular ones include:
- The annual Columbus Arts Festival
- The Columbus Caribbean Festival
- The Columbus Food Truck Festival
- Earth Day celebrations
Nature Along the River
Along the river banks, you'll see a special area called a riparian zone. This is a natural line of plants that grows right next to the water. These plants are super important because they help stop the soil from washing away into the river.
Images for kids
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The Santa Maria Ship & Museum, a highlight of the riverfront for decades
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The Promenade in 2010, in early stages of redevelopment
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Creating park space in 2015
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Genoa Park on the west bank
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Battelle Riverfront and North Bank Parks on the east bank
