Scioto Mile Promenade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scioto Mile Promenade |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | 79 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio |
| Administered by | Columbus Recreation and Parks Department |
| Public transit access |  Add→ 4, 5, 7, 10, 11 CoGo |
The Scioto Mile Promenade, also called the Promenade, is a fun public park in downtown Columbus, Ohio. It is part of the larger Scioto Mile area, which has many parks and trails. The Promenade has a special path along the east side of the Scioto River. This path stretches from Battelle Riverfront Park all the way to Bicentennial Park.
The Promenade also has a multi-use trail. This trail is part of the Scioto Greenway Trail. It is perfect for people who love to bike, walk, or run.
Contents
How the Park Was Created
When Columbus was first built, there were not many green spaces downtown. Most of the land along the river had factories and other buildings. In 1908, a plan was made to clean up the riverfront. It suggested removing many of these old buildings.
The plan was not fully followed right away. However, a huge flood in 1913 destroyed many of the buildings along the river. This made it easier to imagine a new riverfront. In 1920, the city tried to get money to rebuild the area, but it did not get enough public support.
Later, in 1967, the "Avenue of Flags" was created. These were flagpoles along Civic Center Drive. They originally displayed flags from all 50 U.S. states. In 2002, these flags were changed. They were replaced with 25 Ohio flags and 25 Columbus flags. This change happened because some people had concerns about certain state flags.
The idea for the modern Scioto Mile Promenade started around 2007. The first part, a walkway at street level, opened on July 7, 2011. The main park area, called "the Riverwalk," was built later.
Making the River Better
The park space was built between 2011 and 2015. During this time, Civic Center Drive, a road along the river, was made smaller. It went from five lanes to three. The entire area along the Scioto River was also redesigned.
Before this, the river was wide and muddy. This was because of the Main Street Dam, built in 1918. The dam was meant to control floods. But it also made the river twice as wide, about 600 feet across.
In 2013, the dam was removed. Mud was also taken out of the river. This made the river narrower, about 300 feet wide. This change gave the city about 33 acres of new land along the river. These new parks have helped make downtown Columbus a much nicer place.
What You Can See and Do
The Scioto Mile Promenade is a wide walkway. It is about 30 feet wide. It connects Battelle Riverfront Park and Bicentennial Park. Along the walkway, you will find fountains and benches. The park follows the curve of the Scioto River. It is located below the Ohio Judicial Center, where the Ohio Supreme Court is.
Huntington Plaza
Inside the park is Huntington Plaza. This is an open area right across from the Ohio Judicial Center. It has beautiful seasonal flowers. It also features three special "infinity-style" fountains. These fountains have 44 bronze fish sculptures in their design.
Coleman's Pointe
Next to Huntington Plaza is Coleman's Pointe. This spot is an overlook that extends towards the Scioto River. It is a great place to view the lights of Genoa Park at night. It is also used for wedding ceremonies. The spot is named after Michael B. Coleman, who was the mayor of Columbus when it was built.
Lower River Walk
The Lower River Walk is a path that slopes down. It goes from the street-level promenade to the Scioto River. This area has more park space and walking paths. There are also stone seats built into the ground. Along the river bank, you will see a "riparian zone." This is a natural line of plants that helps keep the soil from washing into the water.
The Prow
At the very south end of the park is The Prow. This is a special platform for observing the river. It has stone benches and lanterns. There is also a small group of birch trees. The Prow was made from a part of the old Town Street Bridge. That bridge was replaced in 2012 by the Rich Street Bridge.
Gallery
-
Promenade walkway
-
Huntington Plaza
-
Coleman's Pointe
-
Plaza on the Lower River Walk
-
The Prow
