8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Schiller Park in German Village

Schiller Park in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio is home to a great playground, theater in the park and lots of opportunities for recreation!

Schiller Park in German Village, just south of downtown Columbus is Columbus’ second oldest park. The park was established in 1857 and covers over 23 acres. Schiller Park is a beautiful urban park with a lot of special features and events that take place there throughout the year.

The park is a favorite of our family because it is equally fun for adults as it is for children. There is a great playground at Schiller Park, plus there are picturesque gardens, a pond and a lot of paved walking paths. Let’s explore some the fun things to see and do within the park! 

8 Things to See and Do in Schiller Park in German Village:

1. Playground

The playground in Schiller Park has a play area for toddlers and a play area for older kids. My kids have always loved this playground because of the train structure!

As a parent I love this playground because there are a lot of mature trees which means shade! There are some picnic tables here and benches where parents can sit and keep an eye on kids!

The toddler playground area is mostly fenced in. The fence does not go all the way around, but it does add an extra bit of security for toddlers on the run!

• Read more: 6 Columbus Area Parks for Toddlers

2. Pond

The pond in Schiller park is always a favorite stop when we visit! The bridge across is a great place to stop and see the ducks and geese! Fishing is also allowed in the pond!

3. Umbrella Girl

You’ll want to make sure to visit the Umbrella Girl statue in the northwest corner of the park. Take the path directly from the entrance on 3rd Street to find her! Umbrella Girl has an interesting history in Schiller Park beginning in 1872 with a statue of “the goddess of youth” and ending with the statue you see currently in the park, dedicated in 1996. 

4. Actors’ Theatre of Columbus

The Actors’ Theatre of Columbus offers live performances in Schiller Park throughout the summer weekends! Often the performances are adaptions of Shakespeare’s plays but other plays are also featured. See more info here. 

5. Walking Trails and Picnic Tables

This is a great park for walking! The park is full of paved paths and is very stroller friendly! Throughout the park, especially on the north end, are many picnic tables. This is a great park for a picnic lunch or to pick up some food from one of the local restaurants and eat it in the park!

6. The Huntington Garden Promenade 

This garden is the heart of Schiller Park and meticulously maintained by the volunteer “dead headers”. The promenade leads up to the Schiller Statue (see below) and is a joy to see when it blooms! I usually have my kids with me when visiting Schiller Park but maybe one day I will come without them and just enjoy reading a book on one of the benches that line the path of the Huntington Gardens!

The suspended sculptures in Schiller Park pictured above are part of a temporary exhibit in the park by Polish painter and sculptor Jerzy Kedziora. 

Along the pathway are quotes from well known authors and from the german poet, Schiller, whom the park is named after.

7. Schiller Statue

The Schiller statue was cast in Germany and is a likeness of the poet Friedrich von Schiller.

In researching Schiller Park, I learned that the name was briefly changed to to Washington Park during WWI because of anti-German sentiment as result of the war! Local residents requested the name be changed back after a couple of years. 

8. Sports and Recreation

Schiller Park is also home to one of Columbus Recreation and Parks’ Recreation Centers. Schiller Community Center is home to events, classes, a fitness center and more. The park also has softball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Combined with many walking paths, you can find many ways to exercise in Schiller Park!

Schiller Park is definitely worth a visit! There are a lot of ways to enjoy the park and there really is something for everyone! If you’re looking for nature, flowers, history, art or exercise, you will not be disappointed!

Know Before You Go:

• Address: 1069 Jaeger St., Columbus, OH 43206
• Park Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
• Parking: Free street parking is available around the perimeter of the park and there is a parking lot available at the Schiller Community Center at the address above. Parking beyond the park in the surrounding neighborhood of German Village may be metered or permit only so play close attention to street signs.

More Parks to Visit in Columbus:

• Inniswood Metro Gardens
• The Columbus Park of Roses
• Topiary Park
• Franklin Park
• 12 Columbus Parks to Try This Summer

If you’re visiting Columbus, check out Over 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio! Enjoy your visit!

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