05/28/04

urban oasis

by cmh2

As the largest central city park (98 acres) and adjacent to two other partks (Nelson and Wolf along Alum Creek to the east) this is truly a beautiful place to escape the pace of the city. Visit the falls at the southwestern corner of the park or stop by the incredible gardens of the conservatory for a reprieve and refresher from the hustle and bustle of Columbus. Living next to this park is a true delight as even in winter it is beautiful and with the Conservatory and it's indoor environments it is a place to escape to all year long! Don't forget the bike trail along Alum Creek, a nice place to stoll or ride on a Sunday afternoon.

• Pros: huge park, beautiful gardens, Conservatory
• Cons: , none, none

This one-of-a-kind park, located just east of downtown, boasts 59 acres of beautifully manicured grounds.

by Contributor

Background
Franklin Park is home to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Davis Youth Center. The guided tour of the conservatory (for a small fee) comes highly recommended; inside, you'll find everything from bonsai trees to butterflies.

What's Goin' On?
Well, Franklin Park also is home to some of Columbus' largest events. The Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament heats up in July, and Kidsfest is held in September. Large groups can reserve the multi-purpose building or use the picnic pavilion. Franklin Park has an extensive Japanese Garden, which makes this an even more popular place to visit.

Couch Potatoes, Beware!
There also is an exercise walkway for jogging, rollerblading or bicycling. Tennis courts, basketball courts, a fishing pond and a duck pond also are available to the public.