Topiary Park in Columbus, Ohio Brings Fine Art to Life

Topiary Park in downtown Columbus is one of the most unique parks you will ever visit, bringing a famous painting to life in topiary form!

I consider Topiary Park to be one of Columbus’ most precious hidden gems! Unless you hear about it from someone else, you might not even know it exists! But once you find it, you will realize you are seeing a work of art that is a masterpiece!

What is Topiary Park?

Topiary Park is one of the most unique parks in Columbus. The park is a plant-based recreation of the famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat. While the original painting  hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago, you can visit a larger than life creation in downtown Columbus!

There’s is truly nothing else like Topiary Park in Columbus!

Where is Topiary Park in Columbus?

Topiary Park is just east of Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library and can be found at the corner of E. Town Street and S. Washington Avenue in the Discovery District of downtown Columbus, Ohio.

The park is adjacent to the library which is a gem in itself! Heading out the back door of the library and into the park is the perfect ending to your visit to the library!

Or, if you visit the park first, head inside to the library and grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat at Carnegie Cafe just inside! Besides the tables in the courtyard behind the library, there are benches to sit on throughout the park and picnic tables for having lunch or a snack.

What is there to See And Do in Topiary Park?

Topiary Park (also known as Old Deaf School Park) includes hand sculpted topiaries of people, animals and boats.

The area has been a park since the 1800’s but the topiary part of the park was sculpted in 1989 by James and Elaine Mason, Columbus residents.

Seeing these topiaries in person is a really cool experience! It’s just one of the most unique things to walk amongst these larger than life-sized creatures!

The topiaries take up just a fraction of the park on the east side. The rest of the park has paved paths for walking and is very stroller friendly. There is a circular path to walk within the park as well as off-shoots of the path that lead out of the park on the west side.

As He Saw It

Don’t miss “As He Saw It” which shows the view of the park from the scene as painted by Seurat. The hills and the pond in the park are meant to resemble the River Seine. 

My kids had fun finding things from the painting in the sculptures!

Concerts and Events

The park is home to PB&J Jazz concerts for children which take place in the summer months. Often the park also hosts outdoor movies in the summer and other special events and it is decorated with lights during the holidays!

Tips for Visiting Topiary Park

When is Topiary Park Open?

The park is open from dawn to dusk and is in full bloom from April to November.

Where to Enter Topiary Park

There are a couple of entrances to the park with the gatehouse at the southeast corner being the main entrance. I find it easiest to enter through the Main Library. But if the library is closed, you can park on the street and enter through the gatehouse on S. Washington Ave. near Franklin Avenue.

Where to Park when Visiting

The easiest access to the park is through Main Library and parking is available in the library parking lot for less than $.50/hour. The parking garage is only available when the library is open. There is also metered parking available on the surrounding streets. The park itself is public and free to visit! 

More Parks to Visit in Columbus:

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

You will not regret a visit to Topiary Park, especially during the months when it is in full bloom! If you’re visiting Columbus, check out Over 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio! Enjoy your visit!

 

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