This gem of a park in the German Village neighborhood is well worth a relaxing stroll and visit if the 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. read more

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

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Great and perdect sized for walking, running or walking your dog or cat. The park hosts several events, including Shakespeare in the park, free to attend. I love how well kept the greenery and grounds are and the pond and art installations are nice additions for visitors to enjoy year round. read more

I love this park! It has always been one of my favorites in the city. It is a classic addition to the city! It is nice, clean, safe, and overall stunning. Great place to go look at some amazing homes. The nature in the park is lovely and feels like you are stepping back in time. If you have not been you should add this to your bucket list of things to see in the city! read more

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Nice park to walk around, plenty of space to chill and relax. Lots of free parking too, very convenient!

Well maintained park in downtown Columbus. Great place to take the family for picnic and for walking the dog. Tennis/pickleball courts are available on a first come basis. read more

Schiller Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Quaint lil' park in the heart of German Village... Took a quick weekend trip to Columbus' German Village and stayed two blocks from Schiller... Awesome shaded park with a .75 mile walking path, ponds, tennis/pickleball courts, recreation center, and picnic areas. Great place to walk your dogs and/or walk off the German food and beer from Schmidt's. read more

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Whistling in the Park 23.45-acre park located in Columbus' German Town neighborhoods that's served as the area's gathering place since the early 1800s, before it officially became a city park in 1875. It was originally aptly called "City Park," before changing its name to Schiller Park, in honor of German poet Friedrich Schiller. We spotted it while cruising thru German Town and figured we'd stop by to check it out. Amenities: *Park appeared well-maintained and in good shape. *Lots of beautiful flower gardens around *Free Shakespeare performances in the summer months *×1 Full-size basketball court *×3 lighted tennis courts *Playground *Dog-friendly *Walking trails *Community center *Surrounded by old, historic gorgeous homes *Restrooms *Street parking and private lot for the community center TLDR: Great municipal park that has loads of amenities and seemed Local Outdoor Enthusiast™ free. read more

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If you love fall and dogs, this is the park for you. Went for a walk here after eating at Fox in the Snow. There were multiple families getting fall photos taken, courts for tennis and basketball, a playground filled with kids, a pond with a little bridge, memorials, sculptures overhead, and memorials. I don't live in Columbus, but this is a quiet park in a lovely neighborhood. I also loved the permanent picnic tables- I hope people are taking full advantage of those in the warmer months! read more

Schiller Park - Fun sculptures suspended - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Nice park. It has live shows in the summer. Sometimes Shakespeare in the park and they're on and therefore good walking pass. Great in the spring and summer to come, eat and have lunch because of the flowers in the garden that they have. They upgraded their pond so it's a great place to come to. Parking is easy as well. read more

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Easy parking in the park's own lot. Enjoyed reading the inspirational quotes. They're not a far walk from the parking lot. Walk towards the pond; walk around the pond. Near the Schiller monument. Look down on the ground for quotes etched onto cement tiles. There was some nice foliage even in October. Enjoyed the plaques describing the Schiller monument. read more

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Schiller Park is an incredible park in the heart of historic German Village that is always filled with locals on hot girl walks, dogs and their owners, and lively kids on the playground. Columbus' mini Central Park, Schiller and its interesting (and somewhat creepy) statues are intricately linked to the neighborhood's charm. read more

Schiller Park - Autumn tree - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

One word, "TRANQUILITY"! I'm not from here, but I do travel throughout our beautiful country. On my travels I enjoy going to local parks. Schiller Park is everything you want in a local park. I loved it. Make sure you take time out to walk around and read the history behind Schiller Park. You won't be disappointed. read more

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I finally went to this park after seeing the beautiful blossomed trees in other people's photos! Pictures do not do these trees justice. It is beautiful! Schiller is a smaller park compared to other ones in the Columbus area, but it's a decent stroll. There are some art work and "aesthetic" looking displays. The pond has a little bridge you can cross over and there is a playground for children. If you have dogs this would be a great park for them! Or come look at other people's dogs because that's what I did. It's a beautiful park to even get some instagrammable photos :) There is street parking all around - some may be free if you look closely! read more

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There is so much to see and enjoy in this park in the heart of German Village. There are walking paths, tennis courts, a small stage for outdoor performances, gardens, a pond and a rec center. There is also a large parking lot at the corner of Jaeger and Deshler. The hanging sculptures are amazing and the flowers are in full bloom. Within walking distance to several restaurants and Jeni's ice cream walk-up window (hint hint). read more

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Schiller Park is a large and lovely park located in picturesque German Village. It is the second oldest park in Columbus. There are nice paved paths for walks or jogs around the area. There is a large pond with a nice bridge and fountain, which is stocked for fishing. Signage indicates they are trying to rehome the geese, but that they hope to keep the ducks. There is a lot of nice greenery, including plants and trees that provide some great shade in the warmer months and a beautiful color-changing show in the fall. A number of sculptures and public art can be found in the park. This includes the well known Umbrella Girl, a sculpture of Schiller of the park's name, with a plaque discussing his contributions, and a more recent addition: suspended sculptures by Jerzy Jotka Kedziora, which balance in various locations overhead or hovering above the water. Amenities include tennis courts, baseball diamond, an amphitheater, and an impressive playground area. The playground offers swings, climbing structures, and slides to explore. There is a really cute train to play on in the 2-5 years section. There is also an area geared towards 5-12 year olds. Street parking is available nearby, and it is quite walkable from other parts of German Village if you want to extend your visit to include shopping or dining. read more

Pretty city park Good playground for 2-5 and 6-10 year olds. Random art is fun to find. read more

Schiller Park - Public art installation - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Lovely park on the far south side of the German village. Everything was very well maintained and amazingly there weren't any geese soiling the walkways and experience! The enormous trees are spectacular and the Buckeyes are plentiful. We only managed to spend about 20 minutes here before needing to head out to our next activity, but it's such a nice respite from the hustle and bustle. Also, the homes and side streets all around this park are beautiful and historic! Really makes me want to come back and try and soak in more of the surroundings. read more

Tl;dr - Lots of green. Take a stroll before/after eating out in german village. Lots of cute ducks! Schiller Park is conveniently located in the heart of german village, near restaurants and cafes. It is filled with grassy areas where you can picnic, has a cute footbridge where you can watch ducks, and a statue of Schiller with a pretty walkway of flowers/plants leading up to it. Pleasant and refreshing! read more

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What a great neighborhood park! They even have a parking lot! Bonus points! It's not huge but it's a nice place to stroll on a nice day. I saw lot of families, kids, and young adults on the basketball court, playground, and tennis court. They also have a small baseball field here and a stage where they do Shakespeare plays for GCAC's festival. There were a lot of people here but it was still calm and very quiet near the pond. I saw people sitting on the benches, people watching geese, and kids fishing. There's an interesting fountain with a girl and an umbrella too. The park has a historical feel about it. Kind of reminded me of Boston Commons, although not quite on that level. Anyway, I wouldn't mind coming back to take a walk with a friend! read more

Schiller Park - The pond - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Schiller Park is one of the gems operated by the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks. It is an oasis in the heart of German Village and includes 20+ acres of beautiful, mature trees and beautiful landscaping. There is a pond (with fish), walking paths, basketball and tennis courts and the Schiller Park Recreation Center. There is a parking lot at the southeast corner of the park (near the recreation center) but there is also a ton on on-street parking around the perimeter of the park. Schiller Park is also the summer home to Actor's Theater. Starting around Memorial Day weekend and running thru Labor Day weekend, Actor's Theater presents free (free will donations) plays in the park on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8:00. Typically, they present 4 plays each season and normally - 2 are Shakespeare and the other 2 are non-Shakespeare classics. For example, this season's offerings are Julius Caesar, Pride and Prejudice, The Emperor of the Moon and The Tempest. A great way to spend a summer evening. read more

Schiller Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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What an absolute gem of a place! Truly one of the most interesting and magical parks I've been to in a while. Go past the imposing arches and you feel as if you've been transported in time. Lush greenery. Plentiful shade from various kinds of trees. Exquisite fountains. Gravity-defying art installations. Little fairy villages tucked into tree trunks and in flower beds. There is no way that I could do this fantastical playground justice in my description. German Village and its many picturesque homes, some dating back to the 1800s, alone are reason to explore this area (and famed businesses like the 32-room Book Loft). Schiller Park is the icing on the cake, not to be missed. read more

I've spent the last 7.5 years living right by Goodale Park-- it's practically my backyard. Although I had heard of Schiller and drove past it a few times, I was never really over in the area much. However, I started taking a running route near German Village and kind of happened to stumble across Schiller on a run. Actually, as I was running, I remembered that during the Cbus Half Marathon (which I ran in 2015), that we actually ran right near Schiller. Although I accepted a new job and had to move across the country, I tried to make it a point to hit Schiller up on my last few runs. On my last long run as a Short North/Downtown Resident, I was only supposed to run 7 miles for my training plan. I ended up running 12 miles because I just truly did not want to leave this park knowing it may be the last time I run through here. I just love it all-- the statues that hang in mid-air and seem to defy the laws of gravity; the cute little bridge that goes over a mini lake; the beautiful German Village houses that line the streets; the "Umbrella Girl" fountain; carefully crafted flowers and shrubbery. It's all just so picturesque. I wish I would have lived closer to Schiller and taken more runs here during my time in Cbus. Alas, I'll have to settle for heading back on visits to the Buckeye State! However, if I ever moved back to Cbus, I'd want to live in GV, so maybe one day, I'll be daily visitor to the park! :) read more

This super cute park is well maintained. It has a nice fountain along with other things to look at and decent bathrooms. It's perfect for doing yoga, relaxing and picnicking. There are beautiful homes on all 4 sides as well as parking on all 4 sides along with a parking lot. This is the venture for Shakespeare in the park put on by Actors Theatre. It's free and runs through the summer. There are several restaurants within a half mile as well as a coffee place read more

One of Columbus Ohio's premier parks. 23 acres of beautiful landscaping, mature trees, floral greenery, water, waterfowl and a winding pathway make this one of the areas best places for a walk. It's a very soothing and calming place for a stroll in the historic district of German Village. This is a special place in Columbus and it's one of the many gems in German Village. The sense of history and gentile living are all around and throughout this park. Take some time to visit this stately expanse before breakfast or maybe after having some dinner in one of the local restaurants. There's also the Actors' Theater of Columbus for those who want to watch a play on a warm summers day. Schiller Park is beautiful all year long and the change of seasons will keep it fresh and interesting for you no matter what the calendar says. read more

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Perfect place to sit under a tree in the shade and enjoy some eats from the German village. Our baby really enjoyed being able to get out of his stroller and crawl around in the grass after a long day in his stroller. read more

It's a great park for doing nothing much whatsoever--just walking the dog, jogging, people-watching, enjoying nature, etc. There is a majestic statue to the eponymous Schiller (for the illiterate, that's Friedrich, the legendary German writer), as well as some instructive and inspirational snippets from his works engraved in the paving stones nearby. But by far the best thing that I saw there was two ducks making sweet love down by the pond while a third one, who had initially tried to interfere, stood (cuckoldedly?) by. It was sad, hilarious, and terrifying. Now that's what I call living. read more

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A nice park in German Village. It's a great spot to walk around and relax. It's not like there are a lot of activities, but it's perfect for meandering or just to enjoy the calm atmosphere (there was, what I assume was a recreation center, in the park as well). I noticed a lot of dog owners, couples, families and people enjoying games of tennis. This is a good spot for getting some sun and enjoying a quiet afternoon. read more

Schiller Park - Monument at Schiller Park - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Schiller was 'my park' as a kid. I went sledding on the hill, played tennis in the courts, stubbed my toe at the playground, and fell through the ice walking on the frozen pond. As I got a little older, I roller-bladed around the path, and helped plant flowers in the beautiful gardens. I picnicked, walked the dog, and ran a-muck with my pals. I even went to community events and took gymnastics and art classes inside the rec center. On any given day, the dog party was poppin' and there was tons of space to roam. I would highly recommend Schiller Park to anyone in the area. Even better, hit Katzinger's Deli or Brown Bag Deli nearby and bring your own picnic :) read more

I've been coming to this park since I was a kid. I love the German Village area and this is perfectly located in the center of it all. They have done a great job at keeping it up over the years. I come here frequently during the week on my lunch breaks for a walk. Everything you need is at this park! Tennis and basketball courts, a playground, walking paths, a pond with a bridge walkway, a small outdoor theatre and a large community center with lots going on inside! read more

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Schiller park is everything you'd want for an urban park. It's big, nice, with open spaces, playgrounds, events, trees, shade and the whole nine yards. It's also surrounded by lots of cute houses, neighborhoods, and shops. My in-laws live in Columbus, so I've come here over the years for Shakespeare in the Park, kids play dates, and just to hang out and walk around. Our last visit, being within walking distance of the park, was the biggest win of where we stayed in an AirBnB. read more

This was such a beautiful park that we went to in the German Village. I highly recommend it there were lots of people out and about with their dogs, riding their bikes, and enjoying the afternoon. I loved all the beautiful flowers and finding the different statues throughout the park. It's also a very good size park and I could definitely see myself coming here often if I lived closer. read more

As I said in another review, Schiller is tied with Goodale for my favorite ' art park' in Columbus ( perhaps Pleasure Park is a better rendering.) Both plots share characteristics: multi-acres of green landscaping, pond with fountains; both sit dap in a revitalize historic neighborhood surrounded by vintage housing and ancient street. Both are important social catalyst for their neighborhoods. Both hold summer festivals. Both attract visitors from other neighborhoods year round. Their differences though are subtle. Perhaps I am just reflecting their surroundings but while Goodale has a urbanite feel--a poor mans Central Park, Schiller seems more as a village square. Goodale is quintessential modern American; Schiller is classic European. Goodale is where Harry met Sally; Schiller is the setting of The Beatles' Sargent Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band. Schiller though, certainly has the grander entrance. Although the main gate is on its North and features solemn white columns, the most impressive gate of the park is on west end, where guest are greeted with a long cinematic promenade. It features a medium of flower and plants between wide brick paths and black iron benches; donated by Huntington Bank, these garden are cared for by locals. 150-yards or so down and standing over it all is the statue of Friedrich von Schiller, the famous German romantic poet and namesake of the park. The statue is very well done and makes the place. Scatter on the walkway are plaques inscribed with quotations from his well known plays. To the upper right of the great bard is another statue of local interest and lore. The Umbrella Girl is found in a circle of trees and benches on the parks northwest side. Standing in an octagon fountain, the bronze girl is eternally caught in the rain; an umbrella is in her right hand shields her from the never ending onslaught, her shoes are in her left protected from the rising flood below. A lone path leads to her into the trees. Giving this corner of the 150-year old park a secluded, almost secret treasure-'fountain of youth' feel, an 18th century romantic aura fitting for the namesake of the park. The original statue was stolen in the 1950s and have never been found despite decades of searching and rumors. ( I have no info but perhaps authorities can check Greek row? Just a hunch.) This latest manifestation was dedicated in the '90s. On the south side of the park sits a stage built with a decidedly Tudor background. Here Shakespeare In The a park is preformed every summer. The performances are expertly done and are a joy to watch for us Billy lovers out there. There is also the obligatory pond. This one looks more in the Japanese style with a bridge. You will often see people fishing here. Around its inner circumference are concrete path good for running, walking dogs, and rollerblading. Schiller also has basketball courts that attract serious talent. It's rare that I visit the German a Village and not find myself pulled here. read more

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Schiller park has always been a good place to go to take pets and children. Lots to do and some art work to look at with a nice garden.

Schiller Park is just one step above your typical park. It has all the regular amenities: playgrounds with various equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball diamond, picnic areas, a gazebo, a catch-and-release pond with a fountain, a few well-kept gardens, an oversized statue dedicated to the park's namesake, and sidewalks connecting one area to the next. The baseball diamond and the tennis courts have the advantage of being lit. And the caretaker's residence is nicer than what I'm used to seeing. But none of these things are really out of the ordinary. The park is a great place for kids, and I've even noticed a few off-leash dogs, though I'm not sure that's technically allowed. I know that the residents of German Village sort of consider the park the gem of their community, and, trust me, that community has quite a few precious stones. In my opinion, there are two things that set Schiller just one notch above similar parks. One is the outdoor stage used for summer theatre and concerts. The stage is a semi-circle with columns cordoning off its expanse. There's a snack shop off to one side of the seating area. It seems like a very romantic setting. I'd love to bring my blanket or a lawn chair and catch a live show there but haven't been able to locate a schedule of events onsite or online. The number two thing that sets Schiller apart is the Schiller Recreation Center, which offers daily activities for children, adults, and seniors. Workshops include senior stretching and tai chi. If you go, don't miss the park's main attraction, almost an emblem. It's a statue of a girl holding an umbrella as water from a fountain trickles down onto her. read more

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Schiller Park you made me so happy this evening! For the first time in all my years living in the 614 I attended one of the summer plays at the park. Tonight's play featured one of my favorite books from my childhood, Little Women. The story was beautifully acted by the talented group of actors in the park's amphitheater. The plays are free, although donations are suggested and run throughout the summer. The stage is positioned near the community center and is separated into two sets of seating, for those with blankets and those with chairs. While I sat a bit further away from the stage because I was seated in a chair I could still the actors very well. They have set up good acoustics and mics for the performance and the stage was nicely set up. What a fun way to spend an evening under the stars in the 614. I definitely need to go back and see more plays at Schiller Park. read more

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This park is just a block from our house, we find ourselves taking a stroll through it on the reg. If you have a dog or just like looking at other people's dogs, this is the spot. I swear that German Village is the hub for dogs in the city, and this is the most popular park to bring them to. Always so many fluffers around! It's beautiful in the spring with all of the trees in bloom, and even more fun in the summer. They offer free plays in the summer on the weekends, bring your wine and a blanket and get ready to relax and enjoy! There are paved walking trails as well and chemistry and a pretty little pond. read more

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Schiller Park is one of the nicest parks in Columbus. It's surrounded by a nice neighborhood with cool restaurants and shops. The amphitheater holds music and plays. It has a few basketball courts and a number of paths to exercise. There are some interesting statues, one of Schiller and another of a girl with an umbrella. I consider it the centerpiece of German Village, one of Columbus's nicest neighborhoods. It's a pretty big park surrounded by nice houses and ' streets, and not far from popular restaurants and shops. The amphitheater is the site of music and plays in the summer. Most of the plays are Shakespeare. There are several basketball courts. It also has a nice playground area. The community center in the middle of the park is a nice meeting place. There are several paths to accomodate joggers or to walk. It can flood in some areas of the park easily so you might have to avoid some of the path. There are also several statues. The park is named for poet Friedrich von Schiller. A statue of him is on the west side. There is also a statue north of this known as Umbrella Girl. It's a small bronze rendition of a girl holding an umbrella in the middle of a fountain. This is a nice piece of art to admire while relaxing. I recommend Schiller Park to anyone visiting German Village. There is Shakespeare in the summer and it's an overall good park. You can enjoy this at any time of year. read more

Schiller Park - Amphitheater - Parks Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Oh my, Schiller Park in a beaut. It's idyllic and lovingly landscaped. Clean and well-maintained. And it's full of dog walkin'. I thoroughly enjoyed my morning run around this gorgeous park and enjoyed plenty of eye candy in form of puppies. There's also plenty of benches if you need to sit and take a break. Gaze at the flowers, watch the million ducks waddle around and find some zen. This is a quite a gorgeous park and I'd be more than happy to lace up my runnin' shoes again and take a stroll around! read more

This is a great park. I have always like this park because of the Actors Theatre in the summer but now I like it because of the kids. Their kid playground is unique and different than many other parks around Columbus. Their "telescope" actually works as one and it isn't just a fake plastic one (they have one of those as well). They have multiple playground areas to help differentiate play for the size of your wee one or not so wee one. Some of the playground equipment is for the daring while some are for the cautious. Another important aspect is the amount of shade and this one has a few spots for parents to sit and watch. The basketball court is nearby so your teen could play while the younger ones play. The basketball court was in full use when I was there and the game seemed semi-competitive among young adults and adults. The inside facility is old but still usable. The downside to this park can be parking during busy occasions. It has plenty of green space and optional picnic spots with a table to without. read more

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