Nice big shaded urban park. The Pride festival meets here every year in June. Very accessible as well with paths and benches.

Spent another lazy Sunday in the park! I welcome any chance to soak up some sunshine. The tree I sat under kept dropping flowers on my head, so I'll likely bring an umbrella next time. read more

Goodale Park - Trees - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

This is a lovely historic park just west of the Short North area. It's a bit hidden from High Street (as you need to go one full block west before it's visible) and I only discovered it on my last day of attending a conference at the Downtown Columbus Convention Center. Lots of pluses at this park. First, if you're traveling with a dog and staying at the nearby Hampton Inn, this is your "go-to" destination for dog walks. Second, it has a pretty pond on the north side of the park with an elephant column and winding pathways around the center. Third, if you like jogging, I would suggest running along the perimeter of the park (some inner paths are narrow) to admire the historic Victorian homes surrounding the park. One downside is that I did see a homeless man sleeping on the ground in the middle of the park early on a weekday morning. He was not bothering anyone, but it made me think about what options for affordable housing and social services are available in Columbus. read more

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Lived here in Columbus for 4+ years and never really checked out this wonderful downtown gem!! Was back in the area last week and decided to take a post dinner detour before heading back home. Great choice for beautiful spring evening!! It seemed like EVERYONE in Columbus (and their dogs!!) was out for a stroll. TONS do see/do (or not...), from playgrounds to picnic areas, tennis, yoga at the gazebo while I was there, not to mention the wonderful ComFest and and Pride festivals that have been happening here for years now. Surrounded by the iconic Victorian Village on one side and the Short North on the other, this is a WONDERFUL neighborhood gem in a city WELL known for its parks, near and far. NOT to be missed!! read more

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Awesome park with so much history! Love the elephant water fountain. Great any time of year and worth a stroll through it. I have been buying Columbus history books to learn more. Lots of great festivals and events through out the year! read more

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Gorgeous little public park in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus. It was a rainy day but they had a beautiful little fountain with two elephants in the center (trunks spouting water)! Very picturesque and peaceful spot. There are benches to sit and a little gazebo to stand under. read more

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It's been four years since my last review update for Goodale Park and today I'm going to tell you how things have been since then. For starters, that last update was during the peak of the pandemic and many things have changed. There's no longer social distancing signage and the tennis courts and playgrounds have been open for a few years now. There's been some updates on the gazebo and pond. I've noticed more benches and picnic tables pop up. I've also found that events hosted here, like Pride and Comfest, have improved in recent years. As for things that I'm happy to say have stayed the same... you can expect the park to be well kept and clean. The trash bins are regularly taken out and I've never seen trash in the pond or anything like that. The landscaping is always beautiful and they change it up a few times a year. I live very close to the park and consider myself a regular and I truly love coming here. read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Nice place to walk and do a little birding. I especially like the pond with the two little elephants. With a look for sure. read more

Goodale Park - Closeup of the super cute elephants - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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My sister-in-law rented this for her son's birthday party. It is in the center of the park, with plenty of parking nearby. Enter off Park Street and follow the curving lane around. Impressive building, classic looking but renovated and modern inside. Plenty of room for tables, a DJ, food and drink stations, etc. Kitchen in the back, plus bathrooms etc. Nice views all around. Park staff helped us get set up a bit, and were friendly. I was very impressed by the facility and will consider renting it myself in the future. Four hours on a Saturday evening were I believe $350, not bad for this kind of place. read more

A nice urban oasis tucked in between the Short North and the entrance to 670 freeway. The elephant fountain is a highlight, and there was a live band playing in the gazebo which made for a perfect background. There are plenty of places to sit a spell in the shade. It appears to be kept up pretty well, other than needing some weed killer and some love for the rundown tennis courts. I am always a fan of green space in the heart of a city. read more

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Goodale Park is the OLDEST PARK in Columbus (since 1800's) and one of the oldest in the United States. It is surrounded by a cluster of homes. I visited on and off for several years as a University student and when I lived in Columbus post-grad. I always enjoyed walking through the park especially with the beautiful homes around. There is a statute of Dr. Lincoln Goodale at one of the park entrances. As the name suggests, the park is named after Dr. Goodale. The statute is on the National Register of Historic Places. LOCATION -- The location of the park is in a family friendly residential neighbourhood called Victorian Village but Italian Village, Arena District (downtown), and Short North are nearby too. It is also walking distance to the Columbus Convention Center and North Market. RUNNERS / WALKERS / BIKERS -- The park has tennis courts and a running path. I've ran with running groups in the past where we've done sprints all over the entire length of the park. If you run around the whole park, it is just under is 1 mile which makes it perfect for people training for a race. TENNIS / BASKETBALL -- If you don't enjoy riding a bicycle or running, you can play tennis at the single tennis court. I haven't played tennis here but I've watched others play. There is also a basketball court here. BEWARE OF DOGS -- What I've seen too often at this park is dogs roaming freely without a leash. I believe city ordinance and park rules state that all animals must be on a leash. So, owners of dogs are putting others in a dangerous situation. HOME PRICES -- This is the type of park where Landlords can raise the rent of their properties solely based on the ideal location of living right in front of a park. I know this because a former co-worker of mine experienced this where her landlord raised her apartment rent by an outrageous amount. So if you want to rent or own a home that is across from the park then know that the cost will be high. CONS -- The grass here can sometimes be very bushy. The park could use more benches. PARKING is a pain because it is all street parking and there is no designated parking lot. Overall, I recommend you visit. The POND is super cute and there are always events/festivals here at the park. **** - 24/150 total reviews in 2022 - 502 total overall Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 13 March 2022 read more

This park is a magnificent example of early Victorian age landscape architecture. It was designed by the same langscape architect that designed the iconic park spaces in Boston, New York's Central Park, the grounds at Biltmore House and many others. His name: Fredrick Law Olmsted. Chances are, if you've visited an older major historic park in the United States, you've been in an Olmsted creation. In recent years Goodale Park has recieved updates and improvements which have helped bring some of the beautiful original character of this gem back to life. There is a wonderful fountain in the park pond which features elephants spouting water atop a pyramid like structure. The aging gates which has fallen into a relative state of disrepair have been cared for. Nearby, the historic Sells Brothers Circus House can be seen (on the Northwest corner of the park. At that corner of the park the amazing red sandstone "Fish Gate" can be seen, which features animal figures and eight human faces depicting the Seven Ages of Man (the eighth is Dr. Goodale, the park's namesake). The park historically bordered an area of Columbus known as Fly Town (because homes in the area "flew-up" overnight). Flytown found its origin in the mid-19th century, and was composed of people of German, Irish, & Welsh origin. A nearby area was at one time known as "Irish Broadway" due to the large community of Irish who came to the area fleeing the great potato famine of the 1800s. Later, African-Americans settled in the area. So, Goodale Park sits in an area that has historically a melting pot of cultures. Those roots still resonate in the dynamic cultural personality and vibrant, eclectic atmosphere of Victorian Village and the nearby Short North Arts District. In the late Spring/early Summer, the park is annually host to Community Festival (known locally as "Com Fest"). It is a free-wheeling event. Don't be surprised if you see some more liberated free-thinking people at Com Fest dressed (to some extent anyway) as they entered the world. Com Fest is a nearly non-stop multi-day music free festival, featuring a wide variety of musicians and bands performing simultaneously on multiple stages scattered throughout the park space. read more

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This park is a must. I'm in Columbus for a volleyball tournament and needed some fresh air. This park is right off the main drag. The added bonus is the park is surrounded by gorgeous, historic, Victorian, houses in Victorian Village. There are several paths that zig zag through the so that you can get a nice long walk without doubling buy anything. There are lots of statues and tributes which adds a layer of history into your stroll which included the dedication to a Black man and his accomplishments post Civil War. You're likey to see someone taking professional pictures because the area is so beautiful. read more

Goodale Park - The lovely entrance just blocks away from all the cool, coffee, shops, and boutiques. - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I have always loved Goodale Park and the area around it. There's free parking by the tennis courts, but also metered and street parking all around the park. It is not a huge park, but big enough for a nice stroll. You're surrounded by beautiful homes along your walk. People always bring their dogs here so that's a plus if you're a dog person. There is a playground, tennis courts, pond, benches, and picnic table. It is also in the heart of the Short North and close to North Market. You can easily grab food and some beverages to the park or get something after. A great place to meet up with friends, get fresh air, have a picnic, or a cute little date. read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Really like this park and the family did too. The kids liked playing in thr play ground and running around all over. This park has a cool little pond and a very beautiful building right in the middle. There are some tennis courts but we forgot to bring our rackets. We did notice that there are alot of different trees all through the park. Very cool to see the leaves changing on half of them. If we're in the area we will stop buy again. read more

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The homes around the park are magnificent, not that the park was so bad. A Beautiful lake, fountain, gazebo with lots of places to sit. There are 2 elephants spouting water on top of the 5 tiered fountain. The park was beautifully landscaped & immaculate. read more

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Goodale Park is delightful. Unlike so many urban parks, there's not too many bells and whistles...it's simple, but you can tell it's such a great place to gather. Even on a rainy morning, there were lots of dog walkers out mingling with other dog owners. Most people were wearing masks, but definitely make sure you have yours hand when walking through during COVID, there's definitely a decent amount of people here. The pond and fountain are beautiful and this would be a great place to bring a book or picnic on a nice day. Mass kudos to my neighbors up north for this gem. The park is large for an urban area and I can't wait to come back here to bring a Cbus picnic from all the great local biz's around. read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Nice little park to walk around when in the Short North or Arena Districts of town. It's not terribly large, but there are lots of shade trees and a nice lake in the center with a great fountain! Everything seems well maintained and it was the perfect little break after a long walk exploring. read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I've been to this park two times now. It's nice to see green space in a growing city. I also appreciate that it's so close to Short North. You can feed the ducks, walk your dog, or sit at some of the tables. It's a peaceful place to be when there aren't any events going on. I don't live close to this park to frequent it more, but I wouldn't mind coming back again. read more

This park is absolutely gorgeous in the summer. The fountain is great and is a great addition to the park. I love when it's warm and you can hear the fountain and people at the park. I especially love seeing the dogs run around and people hanging out. The gazebo is a great place to sit and enjoy the weather. The only thing is parking, it is a bit rough because it's street parking and can fill up quite quickly! There's also a bunch of shopping and food places around the area, so you can explore a variety of businesses. read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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SQUIRREL! Squirrels everywhere! I freaking love squirrels, and there's plenty here. There's also a small population of ducks and your usual gang of dogs with their hoomans here. We first seen Goodale Park out of our Uber passenger window while driving to Short North. It's only a block from high High Street so my husband and I ventured over to check this luscious green park out. Being from the desert and all we weren't so used to seeing so much green! The park was super clean and enjoyable to walk through. The best part is the small man made lake and elephant water fountain. FYI there's also a Snapchat filter of this neato fountain. If you're visiting Short North, venture over to Goodale Park too! YELP 100 CHALLENGE 2017: #15 read more

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Growing up on the very outskirts of Columbus, I learned to love the outdoors. Fast forward to college and I somehow ended up in the beautiful concrete jungle that is Columbus. Despite the lack of "woods" in the city, Goodale Park is my favorite option for getting outside. It offers a great escape for those missing Mother Nature. Goodale offers room for a multitude of interests. Running trails snake their way across the lawns. In the grass, you will see picnic dates, frisbee games, and dogs chasing tennis balls. The faces are almost always friendly and the area is well taken care of. Goodale Park Pond is certainly the main attraction. Perfect for dates with your significant other or just a casual stroll, you are sure to find people feeding the ducks and hanging out on the benches next to the water. Goodale is just a block from The Short North. The ideal location allows people to go from storefront to park within a couple minutes. This being said, one can grab a scoop of ice cream from Jeni's on a summer afternoon and enjoy it next to the waters of the pond. Overall, Goodale is my favorite park in Columbus and one of my favorite stops on a summer afternoon with friends. Recommendations... *Date night stop after dinner in Short North *There is street meter parking lining the park read more

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Goodale Park is a wonderful oasis from the urban bustle of the area. I like coming here all times of the year. The quieter times are nice for walking pets. It's a host of several big festivals, which will be really crowded. The park also is within close proximity to many clubs, restaurants, and stores. It's named after Columbus resident Lincoln Goodale, a doctor in the 1800s. There are several impressive artworks around the park. The sculpture of Goodale is the most important. It's near the south entrance. There is a gazebo near the east side of the park that is the site of musical performances during the festivals. A large shelterhouse sits in the middle of the park. There is a large pond with a fountain near the north of the park. The north entrance features a beautiful brick archway and walking paths near the pond. I think it's the nicest park in Columbus. It's a really nice place to visit any time. The quieter times are better for enjoying and taking in its scenery. read more

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I have been coming here for 4 years and it does not disappoint. It's a great place to hang out, listen to music, watch dogs play, have a picnic and etc. I love the fountain/pond, the magnolia trees, kickball fields and tennis/basketball courts. This place really checks all the boxes for ANYTHING you could want to do at the park. One of my favorite things to do is grab coffee from a local shop and sit on a bench by the pond just taking in the scenery! read more

Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Beautiful large park (40 acres) located in the Short North area. Great location, and great to have right in the city. There's tennis courts, a pond with a fountain, plenty of tables and benches, a playground, and even recycling bins! There is free parking inside the park too! It almost reminds me of our own Columbus sized Central Park with it's size and proximity to downtown/Short North. The park was named after Dr. Lincoln Goodale, the county's first doctor and Columbus' first millionaire. He donated the park in 1851 to forever be used as a public park and enjoyed by those in the city. You can find a bronze bust of Dr. Goodale towards the east side of the park. Thanks for a such beautiful space, Dr. Goodale! read more

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Goodale Park is Columbus's first urban green space- and a beautiful space it is! The land was donated by one of the city's early prominent citizens, Dr. Goodale. The 32-acre park is located in Victorian Village and offers a nice reprieve from city living. It is also a pet-friendly park where dog owners come together for afternoon off-leash romps with their pets. The summertime brings free music series at the pagoda and the city's popular Comfest is held here every late June/ early July. Goodale Park is one of my favorites and I would certainly come here more regularly if I lived in the neighborhood. I agree with Sara M. that Goodale Park can be very dark and quiet at night, but it's safe enough when you employ night time sensibility. read more

Goodale Park - Goodale Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

"Must walk your dog with leash" signs IGNORED in a major way. Every morning - same people. We just moved to the neighborhood and Goodale park does NOT feel safe. Not everyone is comfortable around dogs!! read more

Very beautiful and spacious park! Goodale Park is right off of I-670 and very easy to find from the freeway. Parking can be a little tough to find at times because it is located in the Short North which is very busy! As for the park, it has a lot of room, lots of trees and is very scenic. A great place to take a run or lounge in the sun! read more

The perfect inner city park. It is large, and offers several areas of interest. A shot walk from the rat race, and you are in a beautiful green oasis. read more

I love this park. They usually have all Columbus festivals here. The park is huge and well taken care of.

I absolutely love this park. It's not a good park for hiking or that type of adventure, but it is very clean and well kept and there are always cute pups there. I love the elephant fountain and birds by the pond. Great place to go read a book or have a picnic. read more

Goodale Park - Lovely in spring - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I came just to stroll through the park after a heavy early dinner, and I sat by the fountain behind the gazebo. It was very peaceful and not too hot of a day. Great place to bring family, friends, and/or furry friends. Be mindful if your pet isn't friendly to people or other animals as there were plenty of both early evening on Friday. read more

The bronze bust of Lincoln Goodale has certainly seen a lot in his day, considering the park he granted is the yearly site of Comfest, the cities' top countercultural festival. Safe to say, the 19th century doctor probably don't take too kindly to the goin-ons here, but then again, who is he to say since his medical know how probably didn't extend beyond, "take two leaches and see me in the morning." Ah but we moderns do thank him for this park, the best of it's type in the city, tied with that German romantic's plot off Whittier. A lush square of green, it is the center piece of the tree adorned Victorian style neighborhood, and an easy escape from the bustle of the Short North. To me parks come in three flavors: athletic parks, nature preserves, and art parks. Goodale is an example of the last--a resting place known for its esthetic beauty. Sure there are tennis courts and playgrounds on its east, a puppy play spot on its south, but mainly it is a quiet grass acreage with benches, landscaping, and lake. The black fencing of its perimeter compliments the impressive Italianate and Queen Ann architecture of its surroundings. It's a perfect place to people watch or to meet someone. On any given day you'll see business men on lunch, college coeds running off freshmen 15, lovers on a romantic rendezvous, artists searching for inspiration, musicians perfecting chords, couple hoping for openings on wedding dates, families dragging kids from electronics, old timers dreaming memmories, and locals finding relief from the hot asphalt streets. All eventually being drawn to the duck happy lake. The lake has had problems the last few years that are now fixed. Although I do not like the new fountain, a monolithic spike--in levels like a cake--driven in the center of it. I much rather they'd stuck with the understated one they replaced. Being a park a stone throw from downtown, the park does attract the homeless; this is a good thing as Dr Goodale dedicate charities in helping the poor, and developed this park for their welfare as well as for the fortunate. They generally stay to themselves; buy one of their newspapers if asked; there is some pretty good, honest writing in there, and the proceeds go to charity. Neither the Victorian Village nor the Short North would be the same without this park! read more

Its been 4 years since I updated my review of Goodale Park? Yikes. And sorry. Because you've totally cleaned up your act since 2010 and have become one of my favourite places in Columbus. Goodale Park is always full of life. Picnics. Puppies. Incredibly fit joggers making me feel guilty that I didn't get my workout in that day. Not to mention Pride, Comfest, Screen on the Green and all the other events that make me so proud of Columbus. So Goodale Park, I'm sorry for letting you sit on that 2-star review for so long. And thanks for being a place that Columbus can gather, play, and relax. read more

This park is one of my three top favorite in Columbus even when Pride isn't happening here, which is the only way this park can be even better If I could pull a Swiss Family Robinson this would be my first chosen location Annnd there's still Comfest next weekend to come back for! read more

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The park is smallish which makes it a great option for walking during one's lunch hour or taking a stroll from one end to the other during the weekend. Meter parking is available around the perimeter with two spots close to the shelter houses. Different events are offered (mainly during the summer months) such as the music series, the Pride Fest, etc. to make this a destination park. If you enjoy the park and want to help with improvements you can become a friend of the park at http://goodalepark.org/. read more

As evidenced by the presence of Posh Pets, Three Dog Bakery, and a slew of animal rights and humane society-type groups on Gallery Hop nights, people in the Short North love their pets. A walk down High Street turns up as many pups as it does bipeds. But it can be hard for city slickers to find places to let their pooches run free. That's why Goodale Park is dog central. Though you're not technically supposed to have your dog off leash in the park, most people do it anyway - squirrels be aware. My office used to be in the caretaker's residence, and I had a front row view of the dog parade every day. Surprisingly, most of the dogs are very well-behaved off leash, and I seldom saw an owner searching for his pet. There is one designated spot at the park where owners can let their dogs off leash legally. And around 5p the gang's all here for a play date. It's really fun to watch the dogs romp around together. But Goodale park is a great place to be without a dog too. There are two decent play areas for kids, a basketball court, tennis courts, a baseball field, and a semi-shoddy pavilion. The City recently installed more cement paths and SID has been adding bike bollards throughout the year. If you're driving in, there is a sea of parking both in the park and around its perimeter. Parking in the park is free; around the perimeter you'll have to feed the meter. And make sure you watch the time because the meter maids in the Short North are ruthless. The park entrances are well-marked and have an heir of history. Several of the houses around the park are also semi-famous: the Sells Circus House, the Freshwater House, and the humongous house of the owner of Anthony Thomas Candy. It's typical to see wedding parties in the park for pictures at the gazebo or in front of the flowers or having a reception in the recreation hall/shelterhouse (attached to the caretaker's residence). Personally, I don't think the hall is nice enough for weddings, but I have seen a lot of meetings, office BBQs, and pre-school sessions in the shelterhouse. There's also a great pond at the park. It's very large with plenty of benches around it, most of them in the shade. One half of the pond has a fountain, while the other half is filled with lily pads. Some people despise the lilies, but I really like them during the summer months when they're in bloom. Though, I do have to admit that they look ragged when they turn brown and sink into the water. Fishers take notice, the pond is catch-and-release. Behind the pond is the park's only hill, which gets a lot of love from area children during snow season. Goodale Park is the go-to place for events. Some well-known events that happen in the park include ComFest and Via Colori. The park does have its drawbacks. There is sometimes a porta-pot there, but I'm not one for smelly mobile potties, and it's not always guaranteed to be there. Also, there are quite a few homeless people in the park, though they usually keep to themselves - they don't badger you for money like they can on High Street. Also, I would take great care when walking through the park at night. I've heard numerous reports of people being mugged. But it's as safe as any other park at night near a downtown area. Just use your best judgment. read more

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Goodale Park is high on the list when it comes to spots in downtown Columbus. The park is beautiful, spacious, and you will always meeting a friendly face when you are there. There is parking all along the sides of the perimeter of the park. There are separate ponds to sit by and enjoy. There are different paths that run through and around the parking for running, walking, or biking. There is plenty of room for dogs to run around off leashes for some good exercise. There are multiple tennis courts as well. It is a great place for families, couples, individuals, you name it! It is beautiful no matter what Ohio season it is. Also you can't beat the location, it is a street off of short north and right by North Market. Pick up your lunch at one of the restaurants then come sit in Goodale Park to enjoy it! read more

This is a pretty awesome park, great for lounging around and taking in some fresh air. The elephant fountain is spectacular. It not only makes for a great photo op, it's a great view to have while lounging, and I love the sound of falling water as I relax. There are also plenty of benches around, so no matter what time of day it is, you'll be able to find a spot with either sun or shade. The water around the fountain is filled with ducks as well, which are always fun. Bring your stale bread! They have a gazebo that looks nice, but people gravitate to it like vultures waiting to pounce - get there early or bring your to score that bad boy. The best part might be the location - just a couple minute walk from North Market. And one last kudos to the elephant fountain. It is majestic. To see the elephants frolicking again...oh what a joy that would be. read more

Goodale Park is so pretty and peaceful in the early morning, there are lots of people walking around with the morning coffee and their pups, it's awesome. They often hold festivals here which are lively and full of people and energy! There is parking around the park (park on buttles if you can, it's free for 3 hours), they're pretty strict about the meters on park st (i saw someone ticketing at 8:05 am today). If you haven't been to this lovely park you definitely have to check it out! read more

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