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    Genoa Park

    3.8 (18 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Saturday in the Park!
    Humberto M.

    Peacefully nice and pleasant surroundings.....Came for the Taco Festival and enjoyed the tasting and Celebratory Music too!! Awesomely Hot Day but nice gentle winds flowing through to cut the Heat!!

    View of Genoa Park from the Rich Street Bridge.
    Marissa C.

    The view of the river and city is quite nice from this waterfront park. It has a great location behind/adjacent to COSI and Dorrian Green. The deer statues (two are in the park and a third is nearby on the Rich Street bridge) are a fun touch and are often participants in selfies with visitors. It is easy to make this part of a loop with Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile, which also gives you a chance to visit with deer bridge more closely! There is parking available in the underground garage near COSI, as well as metered parking on nearby streets.

    Lucas Sullivant Statue
    Anton K.

    Columbus Ohio is named after it's namesake Christoper Columbus who is believed to have been born in Genoa, Italy. Genoa Park is a 2.07 acre park in downtown Columbus which opened in 1999. Located on the west bank of the Scioto river, Genoa Park features the 24 bronze basins housed in 12 stone pedestals along Washington Boulevard, the amphitheater with dynamic LED lighting which are programmed for multi-colored designs, the statute of Lucas Sullivant who founded Franklinton in 1797 and the Scioto Lounge Deer sculptures. Scioto is a Cheyenne word meaning "deer in the water". COSI museum is located just across the street from the park and today incorporates what was once the old Central High School built in 1924. Many of Columbus Ohio's finest events center around the park. Earth Day celebrations were held April 13-20, 2019, Red, White and Boom, July 3, 2019 , and the Columbus Arts Festival, June 8-10. When special events are not going on, Genoa Park is a quiet respite in downtown Columbus used for walking, sun bathing and people watching. There are paved areas, benches, shade trees and nearby Bicentennial Park, the Scioto Mile and a water fountain splash park.

    Beautiful views!! (10/12/2019)
    Gwen W.

    Awesome views of downtown, for sure! Personally, this is the best part of Genoa Park. Beautiful spot for sunrise and sunset photos, for any occasion. And, I love the deer sculpture at the top of the amphitheater space. There's concrete seating separated with grass, which makes it nicer to sit and watch a performance/nighttime outdoor movie here, because you can have a bit of natural cushion from the hard surface. Parking for this area is, well, definitely not "user friendly". If you want free parking, and don't mind about an 7-8 minute walk, then opt for parking a few streets away, in Franklinton, and it will be free!

    The secret is that the Wyandot word for deer is Scioto.
    Ryan S.

    Genoa is the forgotten step child of the downtown parks, over shadowed by the spoiled kids on the opposite side. Unfortunately, the parents are kind right to neglect it, as it doesn't have much going except for being, as said below, the citywide toilet for gesse. I am not going to two-star it though. For one, I did not see the fecal de la goose my last trip there during Arts Fest. For two, it is kinda nice now, just boring. It is about two miles long and runs the West Bank of the Scioto. There are a couple deer statues there which strike some as mysterious. The answer is that Scioto is either the Wyandot's word for 'deer,' or the Shawnee's word for 'Harry water,' because they saw deer hair in the river. ( I have heard both explanations. Welcome to Ohio, where there is 100 explanations for everything!) It run in front of COSI, the neo-classical facade that once was Central High. Their lights are often ablazed in summer nights during events and fireworks, and fountains flow in colors, but that is better seen on the other side. To the north is a strange section where the park runs under trellis and against a concrete wall. This is the levee put in place to protect Frankleton in case of floods; an event that happens every 100-years or so, the last in 1913 and washed the town to Portsmouth. The turf seems to have been upgraded. It is a decent river accessing point, or an exercise venue. The multiuser trail there connect to the greenway via the Arthur Boke bridge.

    Nicole F.

    This park is the best! Such a great event space and I have been comming here for years for various festivals and community events. When there is not an even going on, this space is great for walking, biking, scooters, sunbathing, people watching and a gorgeous view of the Olentangy river!

    Monument to the High Five, a Columbus tradition
    Kris H.

    I don't think I'd ever given anyone a high five until I moved to Columbus. I haven't been to a funeral here, but I imagine people file out of the funeral home in hushed tones, slapping high fives to the family of the deceased. Columbus is absolutely infected with high fives. That's why I thought it was so funny when I saw this giant chisel chin statue of a guy in mid high five. This phenomenon seems to go deeper than I ever imagined. Um, beyond the high five monument is a relaxing, if not slightly sterile park. It rests on the river just behind Cosi. The trees are all pretty young, so you won't find as much shade as you might want. And besides sitting on the eerily synthetic looking grass, benches are your only option. That is, no tables to eat on. However, the view of the city is perfect. And there are steps down into the river...I imagine it would make a good spot to jump in with a kayak.

    Team Yelp practicing for Dragonboat races for Asian Festival 2012
    Aaron A.

    I like the concept of this park. I like the clean lines, I like the view, I had a great time at the Dragonboat races this summer. But man, goose poop, goose poop, GOOSE POOP!!!!!! Honestly, it's more poop than park. I don't know if the geese could be convinced to hang out somewhere else. Who knows what goes through the mind of a goose? If Genoa Park is any indication, they mostly think about where they're going to poop as soon as they finish pooping. Goose poop aside, it's kind of a cool place for events.

    View from the top of the park
    Rachel K.

    Columbus did a fantastic job with this newly designed park. You get amazing city views here. Perfect as an end destination for a run or bike ride. COSI is right next door, and there are city bikes nearby.

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    Review Highlights - Genoa Park

    . The Scioto River cuts straight through the heart of downtown Columbus and adds another photogenic element to the backdrop

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    Battelle Riverfront Park

    Battelle Riverfront Park

    (8 reviews)

    Downtown

    There are so many tiny parks around this part of town, it's hard to know which one is which. I walk…read morethis area often and have walked by this park too many times to count, however I just learned this past weekend that it's technically it's own and not part of the others. Confusing, I know. The best way to pinpoint this specific park is to look for the cute, whimsical statues in the lawn. They go along with the story shared on the plaque just behind them. The author's note reads, "It is wise to remember the ancient people before us who greeted new things to this continent. How did they teach children to prepare for great change, holding to virtue as they discovered the voyagers? The hero of this fantasy, Pickaweekee, is named for a village of "The People Who Arose From Ashes," whose ancestors vanished from the Scioto Valley centuries past." In layman's terms, the story is about Pickaweekee, a Native American boy from a Scioto Valley tribe who embarks on a mythical journey of discovery. Alongside each animal statue is a smaller plaque that explains its purpose and how it fits into the story. It's super cute and I love that art is incorporated. There's several creatures and I believe they were all made by sculptor Jack Greaves. If you're looking for a fun spot to take the kids, definitely stop by here during your walk. It only adds to the beauty and culture that is Columbus.

    Another beautiful section along the Scioto River! While you can continue to use it as part of the…read moregreenway or a stroll down the Scioto Mile area, Battelle Riverfront Park is also home to quite a few memorials, monuments, and art pieces to enjoy. The memorials include one for the Columbus Firefighters, featuring an eternal flame at the top of the piece, the Spanish American War Memorial, and the Workers Memorial, which is dedicated to the Franklin County Workers who have passed while on the job. One of the memorials, which is dedicated those lost on the Space Shuttle Challenger, was designed by local children and is called Their Spirits Circle the Earth. The art features a wonderful swooping sculpture Freedom by local sculptor Alfred Tibor and a sculpture of a man, woman, and baby called To Honor the Immigrants by local sculptor Gary Ross. There are also a number of bronze animals populating the grassy tree area to catch the eye - these six sculptures, along with a large plaque containing the story the illustrations are pulled from - are in the James W. Barney Pickaweekee Story Grove here in Battelle Riverfront Park. There are also donor plaques lining the sidewalk near the memorials and art. This is a very peaceful and relaxing spot. There is nearby street parking using the meters, or it's easily accessible as part of the trails running along the Scioto.

    North Bank Park

    North Bank Park

    (9 reviews)

    Arena District

    My wife and I decided to get married at the pavillion. This was an amazing venue and the staff are…read moreamazing and accommodating. We got married outside and had the reception inside and under the pavillion. The venue provides you with tables and chairs, which is amazing for the price. You are able to bring your own food or high your own vendor. For alcohol, you have to purchase a temporary permit $170 and have to hire from a preferred alcohol vendor. That said, we hired the bartenders from Ohio Bartenders and purchased our own alcohol and beverages. Much cheaper option and worked perfectly. The outside space is large and perfect for any occasion. Also, the pictures you can take are just amazing. You also have access to the kitchen space which has a large standing cooler and industrial ice machine. Everything you need in one place, it's perfect. Parking is a bit scarce but when you reserve you get 26 spots located right in front on the street. I would highly recommend renting this for your next celebration of any kind.

    North Bank Park has such wonderful views of the city. It is conveniently located next to the many…read moreparks along the Scioto Mile and connects to the greenway trails that go through the area. It features a very nice and popular shelter that, in non-pandemic times, can be rented. At our visit, it looked like they were doing some work on it. There is a nice large area of picnic tables under a shady area, plus umbrella tables with a great view of the river, providing a lot of opportunities to sit and relax. There is a fountain near the shelter, though it wasn't currently running at the time of our most recent visit - it's probably a bit early in the season. Street parking is available nearby (if you can get it - it was full up when we came by), or there are garages in the area. You can also access via the trails by foot, scooter, bike, and the like. We walked over from Battelle Riverfront Park and back again.

    Franklin Park

    Franklin Park

    (30 reviews)

    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.

    Columbus Commons

    Columbus Commons

    (105 reviews)

    Downtown

    Over the years as many things have been located on the site now known as Columbus Commons…read more Most recently, this was the site of a large downtown shopping mall with several large department store chains anchoring the facility financially and with customer foot traffic. prior to that there was an ice rink available to the public known as the centrum. Now it is a green space that hosts, public gatherings, concerts and is a wonderful place to picnic. As of the mid 2020s there have been frequent weekly appearances of food trucks on specific days offering a wide variety of unique foods. On the north end of Columbus Commons there is an outdoor stage, which act has the venue for live performing arts events. These can include the Columbus Symphony, but also other live music and performing arts as well. some of the adjacent local restaurants have windows which open toward Columbus Commons and these are great venues too watch and appreciate all the goings on. It has become a popular spot to host a variety of cultural events, and, while significantly smaller in size and scope, in that respect it generally shares a similar mission to downtown Chicago's Grant Park. Ample parking is available in the garage to the south of Columbus Commons and on surrounding streets. There is also a large underground garage at the Ohio State house, and some other garages and flat lots nearby. I have never found parking to be a huge problem. There is also an underground garage beneath Columbus Commons. Bottom line: lots and lots of parking.

    We came here on a Fri night and took some pictures/videos. This was when it was dead and not many…read morepeople around. I wished they had food open to help draw in more people. We came back on Saturday night and it was packed. It was like the whole city came out. There was free hot chocolate, food, and small shops. Also, they turned on more lights, Santa Claus was there to take pictures with, and the carousel was on.

    Genoa Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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