Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are one of the largest botanical gardens in Ohio. The park is located in Columbus, in central Ohio. The botanical gardens were founded in 1974 and has something for people of all ages. In park was opened in its current format in the year 1993. The park includes the John Wolfe palm house, which was originally constructed in 1895. The park is easily accessible since it is only a few miles from downtown Columbus. In addition to its gardens and conservatories which have a wide variety of plants, trees, it also has other tourist attractions, like exhibitions, farmers’ markets, and other classes.
Gardens and Visitors Area
The total area of Franklin Park is 88 acres. Of this, the conservatory building of area three acres, grand mallway along with children’s garden maintained by Scotts Miracle-Gro foundation of area ten acres, is open to visitors from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Adult visitors have to purchase tickets to enter the visitor’s park of Franklin Park. The ticket prices are lower for senior citizens and children twelve years and younger. Members and children two years or younger can enter the park for free. Parking is available near the main conservatory building.
The Scotts Miracle-grow foundation’s community gardens are more than four acres in size and include forty plots of community gardens. They introduce the children of Ohio to gardening and the natural world. Additionally, there is a berry house, rose pavilion and apiary. For cooking food a cooking theater with live fires, and a demonstration kitchen has been provided. The public can visit these community gardens at no additional cost. The visitors can check the lush green gardens, botanical biomes, special art and horticulture exhibition and seasonal produce.
The biomes highlight the biodiversity in the different climatic zones like the desert, tropical rainforest, Himalayas, pacific island. The conservatory consists of glass greenhouses, which regulate the temperature whatever the weather and season. There are more than four hundred different plants from different parts of the world which are being grown in the conservatory. Visitors can stroll the well-maintained and lush botanical gardens. The park has a large bonsai collection and only a few are on display for the visitors at a time.
Exhibitions and events.
Some of the exhibitions which are held annually at the park include Blooms and butterflies which is popular among families, orchids, and the garden railway named after Paul Busse. The Pumpkins aglow exhibition is held during autumn, while seasonal exhibitions are harvest blooms, conservatory aglow, holiday blooms during the holiday season. Periodically international as well as national artists are having their special exhibitions at the conservatory for shorter periods of time. The visitor’s area includes the glasswork collection of artist Dale Chihuly which is on display. There is also a hot shop, the glass blowing studio of the park. The local artists are giving free daily demos at the studio, making beautiful glass decor items.
Farmers market
The farmers market is held at the park every Wednesday from 3.30 – 6.30 pm in summer from June till September 1. The market is held near the parking lot and anyone can visit the market for free. Vendors at the market are selling local produce, baked goods, food items, handmade items, health and beauty products. Those who are interested in participating in the market, selling their products, can contact the coordinator for the farmers market. Additionally, a number of classes, camps for children, and workshops on diverse topics like gardening, wellness, fine art and cooking are also held.
Visitors can have meals and snacks at the garden cafe, which offers a wide range of food items. These food items are produced using the herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens of the conservatory. The park also has the Botanica gift shop which has reasonably priced plants, gardening tools, pottery, terrariums and gardening kits for sale. Additionally, home decor items, especially handmade glass items and jewelry, toys and books for children are also available. Limited edition glassworks from Dale Chihuly can also be purchased. Periodically sales are held where the plants, glass decor and other items are available for sale at lower prices. Members get a 10% discount on the items for sale.
Individuals, businesses and event organizers can book the indoor and outdoor areas of the conservatory for holding their personal events like weddings, parties, or corporate events.