Schiller Park

Schiller Park is a 23.45-acre municipal park located in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Established in 1867, it is the second oldest park in the city, following only Goodale Park. The park is bounded by Reinhard Avenue to the north, Jaeger Street to the east, East Deshler Avenue to the south, and City Park Avenue to the west.

Originally known as Stewart's Grove, the land was purchased by the City of Columbus in 1867 and renamed City Park. In 1891, during a Fourth of July celebration, a statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a famous German poet and playwright, was dedicated in the park. Subsequently, in 1905, the park was officially renamed Schiller Park.

The park has a rich history, including a brief period during World War I when it was renamed Washington Park due to anti-German sentiment. However, it reverted to Schiller Park in later years at the request of local residents.

Today, Schiller Park serves as a central gathering place for the community, offering a variety of recreational facilities and natural features. The park includes walking paths, gardens, and open green spaces. It is home to several notable features, including the Schiller statue, the Umbrella Girl fountain, and the Huntington Gardens, which were designed to resemble the park as it existed in the late 1800s.

The park also hosts cultural events, such as free performances of Shakespearean plays during summer months, courtesy of Actors' Theatre of Columbus. These performances take place in the park's amphitheater, adding to the cultural significance of the space.