Schiller Park is a large green space in the heart of German Village in Columbus. It is the second-oldest park in Columbus, dating back to 1867. The park is dotted with tall, leafy trees and is a favorite for locals and visitors looking for a retreat from the busy city life. Garden tours, festivals, fun playgrounds and performances by the Actors’ Theater make this city park come alive.
The park features a large bronze statue of the German poet, playwright and historian, Friedrich von Schiller, after whom the park was named. Quotes from Schiller’s writings are etched into the granite promenade that encircles the park. Stroll along the park’s walkway and relax in this lovely green space where German immigrants in the turn of the 19th century first felt at home. Today, locals jog around the park with their dogs while families use the playgrounds. Pack a picnic, find one of the park’s tables and spend an afternoon under the towering ash trees.
In summer, catch one of the Actors’ Theatre productions of Shakespearian plays held outdoors in the sunshine. Flowerbeds burst with color in the warmer months and ducks gather on the pond. Get your pulse going at the Schiller Park tennis and basketball courts or indoor recreational center. Visit the Umbrella Girl, a statue in a small fountain of a girl dressed in a traditional German dirndl, holding her shoes in one hand and an umbrella in the other. The park blazes with color in autumn and is the perfect location for a tranquil walk through the fallen leaves.
Schiller Park is located just south of downtown, a few blocks east of the central South High Street. Local bus routes run up and down the park’s east and north borders. Cafés are located nearby in the German Village. Visit Schiller Park during the warmer months to take advantage of the range of exciting outdoor activities.
