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PrintMy take on the new downtown parks
Other than that, there isn’t much not to like about them. (As long as you don’t have to pee; public restrooms are scarce aside from Bicentennial Park.)
In the case of the Bicentennial Park fountains on the Mile’s southern end, the heat was an impetus for visiting. These fountains aren’t just for decoration. With their lawn sprinkler-like array of jets and columns of water that shoot up five feet from the ground, the fountains dare you not to play in them.
When I visited just after the park opened in early July, hundreds of kids were cooling off. (Just try not to think too hard about the germs and bodily fluid that must get carried and mingled by the cooling froth; that kind of ruins it.)
If the idea of walking back to your car with soggy shorts isn’t appealing, the new Milestone 229 restaurant has a patio where you can stay dry and watch the water show.
In the restaurant’s first few weeks of business, a line stretched out the door during happy hour, despite dinner prices that ranged from around $10 (a burger) to $23 (the walleye)—a little steep for the casual post-work nosh.
At least the fountain is free.
Parking, on the other hand, is not.
Beware the city parking meters, which go to 10 pm in arbitrary and poorly noted locations (you literally have to read the fine print). Garages are the lower-stress bet, but on the northern end of the Mile, rates are affected by special events such as Clippers games, which jack prices to $10.
But with free movies, concerts or performances in Bicentennial, it’s fair to chalk parking fees up as the price of admission. That’s how nice it is to have green space downtown; I’m not even going to complain about paying to park.
Scioto Mile, by virtue of its riverfront location, is a natural place for office workers to eat lunch—the cool bench swings are high enough up from the river that the Scioto smell won’t spoil your appetite. Runners and bicyclists (slow down!) already seem to be making steady use of the scenic promenade.
Downtown’s other park, however, is most notable for what it isn’t.
Columbus Commons isn’t a sad empty mall anymore. That alone is enough to earn it affection from many. Which is good, because there isn’t yet much to make it stand out.
The grassy square’s nondescript, flat expanse isn’t particularly inviting or, more importantly in the heat of summer, shaded. Planters here and there provide some color, but create little personality. So far, Columbus Commons lives up to its name.
The carousel is a nice touch (rides are $1 with a token), and I’m happy to report there is no age limit to ride. Tables and a reading room sponsored by the Columbus Metropolitan Library add life to the south end along with a restaurant serving burgers and the like.
Existing programming for the park, including movies on the lawn, kickboxing and salsa dancing, is a good start toward creating an identity for what’s now a mostly blank canvas.
As for the city overall, both parks should do a lot toward helping give Columbus more of the “real city” cred leaders are so constantly seeking. It’s easy to envision hundreds, if not thousands, of people visiting the much-needed green spaces every day.
Just as soon as it’s cool enough to go outside.
