This gem of a park in the German Village neighborhood is well worth a relaxing stroll and visit if…read morethe weather is nice. I visited in June 2025 on a free weekday afternoon and enjoyed seeing the dogs, construction of a set for the Shakespeare in the Park, and the inspirational signs near the Schiller monument. Schiller Park has a fascinating history (described near the center of the park) from its initial opening as "City Park" to its renaming as Schiller Park. It was interesting to learn that the name temporarily changed to Washington Park in the mid-1910s as anti-German sentiment rose in the United States due to World War 1. Also, the park has been an important and historic place for the German American community in Columbus, OH. For example, I learned that German singing societies (which exist in other U.S. cities) provided support for the park.

Beautiful park in the heart of German Village! We did a walking ghost tour this fall on a cool,…read morerainy night that left from the park. Lots of great sculptures scattered through the park. Definitely worth a stroll when you are in the area!

Surprised this hasn't been reviewed already, considering the location. Right next to Children's…read moreHospital, it is a moderately busy park. Mostly open space, but with lots of amenities that make it more interesting. A huge playground (no shade on these hot days though.) Lots of shade, just not there by the playground: along walking paths, with benches to sit and eat, etc. Some tables. Basketball courts. A history display, covering the whole area. I did not know we ever had steel mills in Columbus. I did know about Driving Park, and Rickenbacker flying there- and the world's first cargo flight landing there. I did not know that the park used to be a cemetery, and that there are still bodies here because they couldn't find all of them when they relocated it. So, yeah. But, a very interesting historical display and a very nice park. There are shady areas to sit and picnic. And lots of areas to wander. Parking is an issue, because of the hospital, so you will probably have to pay. But if you're at the hospital anyway, waiting for someone (as I was,) it is a good place to hang out. And clearly hospital staff use it as well, a good break for them.

I have visiting the Recreation & Physical Activity Center or RPAC for short at The Ohio State…read moreUniversity campus for years for a tour and when the State Summer Games for Special Olympics Ohio is held there when Volleyball, serving lunch and dinner there at times for huge events, and other things that the RPAC hosts. I have to get my soda from a soda machine because the RPAC in the basement near the lockers only takes payments from students and facility who are members of the RPAC, but they have huge space for working out, taking fitness classes, and another pool that has 8 lanes (25 yards) that has a movable floor and waterslide area for families. Thank you for the RPAC at The Ohio State University.

Large workout space with many machines, classes, and various workout areas. Can get really busy in…read morethe late afternoon, so it's beneficial to time workouts accordingly!

We've been to the park and playground many times. Today Baby K needed a pitstop, and luckily the…read morerec center was open. We hoofed it over, and when we came in the lady at the counter guessed what we needed, and directed us up the ramp to the bathrooms. Which were clean. We thanked her on the way out. The place is bigger than some of the other Columbus rec centers I've been to. They seem to have lots of activities. Big parking lot. Public art at the entrance. A cool place.

I love having the Schiller rec center as an option in lieu of joining a "gym"…read more It's got everything I need: a cardio room with decent treadmills, elliptical machines, and a couple of bikes; a weight room that has recently been restocked with $50,000 worth of new equipment. Lots of circuit training equipment and free weights, and it's big enough that it never really gets crowded whatsoever. Recently I signed up for my first class- a combination of step aerobics, kickboxing, and total body conditioning. Vicki the instructor, is no joke. For $55, I get 3 hours of class per week (1.5 hours Tues and Thurs) for ten weeks. What a great deal. Oh, and it's only $75 to join the rec center for THE WHOLE YEAR. But wait, there's more! Not only does that get you in here, but you can go to ANY rec center in the Columbus parks and rec. So if this place is closed (which it is on Sunday and Monday) you can go check out any of the other centers that may be open. You can visit the parks and rec site to see what each facility has to offer in the way of fitness classes and whatnot. Check it out!

YE Gurl Says: Franklin Park Lit Up My Night (Literally)…read more Date: September 6, 2025 Place: Franklin Park - Water Lantern Festival (Yelp Contest Winner!) I've been to Franklin Park before for the African Festival, but little did I know there was a gorgeous man-made lake and walking area tucked behind the amphitheatre. Honestly, Columbus needs more events out here--imagine summer concerts lakeside. Come on, Cbus, don't sleep on this! Thanks to a Yelp contest win, I got two tickets to the Water Lantern Festival and was excited to experience it for the first time. I brought the beau, packed a sweater (because yes, sweater-and-jacket weather arrived), and we found a spot to settle in. The experience started with decorating our lanterns--super thoughtful packages that came with a deck of cards and conversation prompts to keep the evening flowing. The event itself was well organized: shuttles helped us avoid the parking madness, there were plenty of food trucks (though I ate beforehand), and the staff kept things moving. The only hiccup was the AV system--it was a little hard to hear, and the lantern launch was delayed due to the chill. But when those lanterns finally floated onto the water, the view was worth it. Beautiful, reflective, and something I can now check off my list as an artistic and soulful evening. YE Gurl checked the box and lit the night!

We love Franklin Park and love doing our family walk time with our doggie Ellie. Absolutely would…read morerecommend taking a stroll on a pretty day, or you could even have a picnic. It's a huge park with an amphitheater, cascade waterfalls, a community garden, an Asian-inspired garden, a playground, a picnic shelter, and ponds stocked for fishing. The park is also the home of the annual Columbus Asian Festival, the Franklin Park Adventure Center, and the amazing Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

This place is huge, and supposedly the largest collection of ball fields in the country. Nicely…read moremaintained, well laid out, plenty of parking and amenities. We were there for the playground, of course. Driving by one day, Baby K said "there's a playground!" I didn't see it from Greenlawn, and even driving through the park I couldn't find it, but she spotted it, and we spent an hour there. Actually, there are two, but the other one was overrun with crazed kids. The eastern one was only moderately busy, and everyone was well-behaved, so we stayed there. There's a big "umbrella" sunshade over it, and though there weren't any benches nearby for tired parents there were a few spots on the playset for me to sit. She loved it- slides, climbing areas, etc. Nearby is a building with concessions and bathrooms.

This large sports park in South Columbus is a veritable Field of Dreams. Its 32 diamonds neatly…read moregrouped into nearly eight circles is apt to the 30-year-old Costner movie but that isn't the only aspect it shares. For in its 209 acres also exist another troupe of the movie--Berliner is also known for its ghosts. ( It is also known for something else--something that buzzed the newswires nationwide in 1997. That year the Columbus Police in a sting arrested 200 people including some well known men for indecent exposure in a sex ring. True story. But don't fear, today Berliner is a clean, streamline family park. ) Named after Lou Berliner, a prominent sportswriter who wrote for the Dispatch from 1931 to 1975, this is the largest ball diamond complex in the nation. The diamonds are fantastic for both baseball and softball ( must have a field permit to use.) They are permanently fenced and have turfed infields. Thousands of athletes use the park every year when local, state, and national soft and fast pitch events and games happen here. There are benches, restroom facility and concessions stands to serve the baseball crowds--build it and they will come. And so will ghosts. The long span of Berliner, of diamond upon diamonds, from Greenlawn to Frank is flanked on the west by the Scioto Greenway Trail on the levee over the river. This is where the reports of spirits from the dark beyond originate for here spooky anomalies are seen, sensed, or felt. The souls of poor people caught in the rivers damns and eddies who perished in the waters right there; the poltergeists of the murdered and dumped in the waters; dark secrets of 200-years and mysteries never solved and forgotten as mysteries and became a misty angst and despair; the voices of children laughing are heard, or two men whispering conspiracies down the river's bank but when you look there's no one to be found; a shadow following you its breath right on your neck but when you turn around there is a void of presence in the dark trail of the night. These are the stories they tell of the haunted trail here. One can easily see where they come from just by walking the trail. Secluded, wild but urban, unkept by tree and dark-green canopies, this section of the Greenway is creepy. You can tangibly feel the thick of evil, of fear, of pain, foreboding. It's the eeriest places in Columbus, even more than Walhalla Ravine.

Blackburn Park and Recreation Center falls under The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks…read moreDepartment. Located on Bryden Road Blackburn Park is a great little community space in Olde Towne East. You can get here on Bryden Road, and also off East Main Street. The Blackburn Community Center located here as well, but that is a separate managed facility than the park and playgrounds. Being a neighborhood park, we love walking our dog here and around through Olde Towne East. It's a good little spot for a break. We always see here kids playing and adults hanging out enjoying the park too. Amenities include basketball and tennis courts, a playground, a "sprayground" on hot summer days, and pick-nick tables year round. Dog friendly and the park is open dusk to dark.

Mainly a review for the playground, as always…read more On the south side are tennis courts and a splash park, and we didn't see the playground at first. It is on the north side. Smallish but with plenty to do. A big green space nearby, and benches and tables handy. The rec center is right there. Kid K liked it, but no one else was out on Memorial Day weekend so we went in search of new friends at other parks. Nice to have in the neighborhood, with a variety of things to do. Surprised we haven't been sooner, since we pass it occasionally. Probably didn't stop because you can't really see the playground from the major streets. But it's here, and fun.

Great location, super clean, the staff went out if there way to help me since i was traveling from…read moreout of town for business. Would I go back Yes, should you 100% yes.

Such a nice venue for a wedding! The venue provides excellent service and amenities. If you're…read morebooking for an event, the bowling alley in the basement is a great spot for an afterparty. I booked a suite for my stay and I'm so glad I did. They're large and well maintained. Beds are comfortable and clean. I used the gym while I was there and it was underwhelming. Pretty basic, but the pool and studio were very nice!

Great park with so many birds. Would love to see it more during day as I went in evening to enjoy…read morebeer and birds before sunset at Nocterra. I even saw a rainbow.

Magnificent reclaimed wetland on an old Brownfield/giant municipal Auto Towing Lot…read more Ample wildlife has begun to appear since the park has opened. Substantial outdoor rope climbing & artificial rock climbing facilities available. Bootcamp style fitness circuit obstacle course with walls, tires monkey bars and other challenges. Magnificent view of the downtown area of Columbus. Pet friendly areas and paths.

Gorgeous park with awesome trees and topiaries! I was here for the Columbus Book Festival as this…read morewas right outside of the library. Without all the tents I feel like the paths would have been less confusing. They looped around in a few directions to see all the different topiaries. I think this would be a great place to just chill out on a blanket with friends. Excited to come here when it's all empty so I can really see everything up close

This was one of my favorite places to visit in Columbus, OH... and it's free! Unless you have to…read morepay for parking... I highly recommend this place!!! The garden is so interesting and from different angles you'll see different views. I really enjoyed this place and taking pictures.