Description: When I was in college at
Kent State University in the early 1960s, I spent a summer as an intern at a state government agency in Columbus, the Buckeye State capital, and living in an apartment on Franklin Park West - right across from Franklin Park. Back then, the high crime rate in the area kept most folks away, including me, but it was so beautiful from the outside looking in that the desire to see more never went away.
Since then, the park - which first hosted the Franklin County Fair in 1852 - has undergone a major transformation to become one of the city’s main attractions. A big turning point came in 1986, when AmeriFlora 92 was organized and the park was named host site for the horticulture exhibition. Three years later came a $14 million expansion, which included the addition of four biomes from around the world, a gift shop, classrooms, a library, and a cafe.
Opening of the renovated
Franklin Park Conservatory has brought steady crowds to tour the facility and view the wonderful exhibits – including my husband and me. We were particularly thrilled to see the glass artistry by the talented
Dale Chihuly. Gorgeous, shimmering glass flowers, balls, and freeform designs were on display, interspersed among botanical gardens, bubbling streams and some 7,000 panes of glass.
His 2004 exhibit, in fact, was so popular that most of the collection - more than 3,000 colorful pieces - were purchased by the conservatory. A few are on permanent display; others are brought out during special exhibits. The entire collection will be displayed again in 2009 (believe me, we’ll be there).
In summer months, the outdoor butterfly garden at the Conservatory's entrance is in full bloom and attracts species native to Ohio. And, the annual
Blooms & Butterflies exhibition brings more than 100 butterfly species here from around the world. It’s quite a thrill to watch as these beautiful creatures wing their way among the foliage (occasionally landing on someone’s head or shoulder). This year, it’s scheduled for March 17 to Sept. 3 (and yes, we’re going).
Other times of year, orchids take center stage when hundreds of colorful and exotic blooms fill the Tropical Rainforest biome.
All exhibits are included in the admission fee ($7.50 for adults and $4 for kids ages 2 to 12). The Conservatory is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday and Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm.
We’re lucky to have friends who live near Columbus, so lodging isn’t a problem. But trust me, there’s no shortage of places to stay. Right downtown, you’ll get executive treatment at the
Hyatt on Capitol Square, and must-do tour of the Capitol Rotunda is but a hop, skip and jump away. If you prefer more historic quarters, try the
Westin Great Southern Hotel on High Street, which puts you close to the city’s Brewery District and
German Village.
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