Columbus Commons

Columbus Commons is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) park and green space in downtown Columbus, Ohio, located on the site of the former Columbus City Center mall. The park features gardens, a performance stage, carousel, reading room, a NEOS play system and two cafes.[3] The project was developed by Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC)[4] and Capitol South Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (Capitol South).[5] The park opened on May 26, 2011.[6]

Columbus Commons
TypeUrban park
LocationColumbus, Ohio
Coordinates39°57′30.758″N 82°59′55.442″W
Area6 acres (2.4 ha)
(originally 9 acres)
CreatedMay 26, 2011
Operated byCapitol South[1]
StatusOpen all year 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.[2]
Public transit access 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 102, AirConnect, CBUS
CoGo

On May 11, 2017, Columbus Commons was re-dedicated in honor of community leader John F. Wolfe, who died in 2016, and is now known as the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons.

History
The park was larger c. 2011 before apartments were constructed around the park

With the decline of Columbus City Center, plans were announced in February 2009 to replace the mall with a mixed-used project that included an urban park, residential units, offices, restaurants and shops. Columbus City Council approved Capitol South to refinance existing City Center parking garage loans and use funds earmarked for downtown housing to finance the project.[7] CDDC and Capitol South,[8] under the direction of their CEO and President Guy Worley,[9] the Franklin County Commissioners[10] and Columbus Metro Parks,[11] funded the development of the Columbus Commons park.[1] Demolition of City Center began in September 2009 and construction of Columbus Commons park began in mid-2010.

The design team was made up of construction manager Corna-Kokosing, architects Moody Nolan and landscape architects EDGE Group.[3] The park opened to the public on Memorial Day weekend (May 26) 2011.[12]

Attractions

Pavilion
Pavilion

Construction of the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion[13] was the signature capital project celebrating Columbus’ bicentennial in 2012. Since its completion, the iconic structure has drawn the central Ohio community to the heart of Downtown for live concerts and entertainment year round.

The Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion was designed by FTL Design Engineering Studio, the same firm that designed the Capitol Concert Pavilion in Washington, D.C., the Carlos Moseley Pavilion in Manhattan, and the Cirque du Soleil Theater at Disney World. The design for Columbus is exclusive: a one-of-a-kind, white tensile fabric canopy structure with a 40-foot by 60-foot stage and state-of-the-art lighting, video, and sound equipment.

CDDC began construction on the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in fall 2011 and the pavilion opened in May 2012,[14] just in time for the beginning of the annual event season. The project was funded by a public-private partnership led by the City of Columbus, American Electric Power, and Nationwide Insurance.[13]

The hand-carved carousel at Columbus Commons

The Commons is home to a 20-seat carousel[15] with characters hand-carved by Mansfield's Carousel Works.[16] Characters range from the traditional horses to a fish, a tiger, a giraffe and an OSU-themed cart. The rounding boards that surround the canopy feature locally-inspired murals with scenes of the Ohio Stadium and Franklin Park Conservatory to name a few. The cost to ride the carousel is $1.

Cafe

Tortilla Mexican Street Food[17] and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams operate in the Commons cafés at the west and east side of the Bosque respectively.[18] The shops are open May through October.[19]

Reading room

An outdoor reading room[20] on the southeast corner of the park features browsing material for children and adults courtesy of the nonprofit group Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.[21] The reading room has tables and chairs under umbrellas and offers free Wi-Fi from the Columbus Metropolitan Library.[22]

Gardens
The gardens at Columbus Commons

The park is lined with twelve 2,000-square-foot (190 m2) garden plots that are designed and maintained by Franklin Park Conservatory. Just as Columbus is a four-season city, the gardens have four-season appeal. With a dynamic mix of perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, evergreens and annuals, there’s something beautiful to see year-round.[23]

Open play

The park features several other amenities for visitors including Bocce Ball courts[24] and a NEOS electronic playground. During select hours, general recreation materials such as jump ropes, Frisbees and sports balls can be found at the park and are open for all to play with. At these times, the Imagination Playground,[25] which is a compilation of life-size foam shapes and blocks, is also available for patrons to enjoy.[26]

Events

Columbus Commons annually hosts more than 200 events. Capitol South is responsible for actively programming the park from May to October including concerts, family events,[27] kickball, movies, fitness classes and food trucks. Since its opening, Columbus Commons has hosted multiple local, regional and national events including the Columbus Food Truck and Cart Festival,[28] the Capital City Half Marathon, Slice of Columbus, the Pelotonia Opening Ceremony, the 2013 President’s Cup Opening Ceremony,[29] and the 2015 National Gay Softball World Series Opening Ceremony.[30] Columbus Commons is also the summer home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and has hosted their summer performance series, Picnic with the Pops, since 2012.

Parking and public transit
Columbus Commons underground garage

Columbus Commons is adjacent to two parking garages. The Columbus Commons Main Garage[31] is located at 55 E. Rich St and the Columbus Commons Underground garage[32] is located at 191 S Third Street. Both provide easy access to the park for events. Additionally, revenue from these garages helps to support free programming at the park as produced by Capitol South.[33] The park also lies adjacent to the COTA Transit Terminal, a bus terminal for the Central Ohio Transit Authority. The station, along with bus stops on High and 3rd Streets, give access to most city bus lines. The park also has a nearby CoGo bikeshare station.

Awards and recognition

In 2012, Columbus Commons received an EXPY award from Experience Columbus.[34] In 2014, the park was a ULI Open Space Award finalist.[35]

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See also

References
  1. Worley, Guy (May 23, 2011). "Columbus Commons another asset in downtown revitalization". This Week Community Newspapers. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  2. "Park Rules » Columbus Commons". Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  3. "History » Columbus Commons". Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  4. "Columbus Downtown Development Corporation + Capitol South - CDDC". columbusddc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  5. "CDDC & Capitol South / Development Organizations Lead Downtown Change". DowntownColumbus.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  6. Motz, Doug (August 10, 2011). "History Lesson: The Downtown Columbus Riverfront". Columbus Underground. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  7. "Decades of change" (PDF). Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  8. "Columbus Downtown Development Corporation + Capitol South - CDDC". columbusddc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  9. "Columbus Downtown Development Corporation + Capitol South - CDDC". columbusddc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  10. "Franklin County Board of Commissioners". franklincountyohio.gov. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  11. "Metro Parks - Central Ohio Parks System". metroparks.net. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  12. Ferenchik, Mark (May 26, 2011). "New park stands out like an emerald in the city". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  13. "Pavilion » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on December 17, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  14. "Columbus Commons Unveils Bicentennial Pavilion, Summer Concert Lineup!". May 17, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  15. "Carousel » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  16. "The Carousel Works - Columbus Commons Carousel". carouselworks.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  17. "Tortilla Street Food". tortillastreetfood.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  18. "Tortilla & Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  19. "Tortilla & Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  20. "Reading Room » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  21. "Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library". friendsofcml.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  22. "Reading Room » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on December 17, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  23. "Gardens » Columbus Commons". ColumbusCommons.org. Archived from the original on December 17, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  24. "Open Play, Art Box and Bocce Ball » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  25. "Imagination Playground - Playgrounds for Schools, Museums & Parks - Homepage". imaginationplayground.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  26. "Open Play, Art Box and Bocce Ball » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  27. "Yoga joins other kid-friendly summer events at Columbus Commons". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  28. "Columbus Food Truck Festival adds day, sampler option". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  29. "Presidents Cup now all about golf". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  30. "Gay Softball World Series kicks off with opening ceremonies today". The Columbus Dispatch. August 13, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  31. "Garage Info » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  32. "Garage Info » Columbus Commons". columbuscommons.org. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  33. "Columbus Downtown Development Corporation + Capitol South - CDDC". columbusddc.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  34. "Highball hijinks highlight Experience Columbus confab - Columbus - Columbus Business First". Columbus Business First. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  35. "Columbus Commons and Scioto Mile—2014 Urban Open Space Finalist - Urban Land Institute". Urban Land Institute. April 30, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
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