Franklin Park Conservatory is one of my favorite spots in Columbus. Unique, absolutely stunning and perfect for all ages. While I used to frequent FPC on more of a regular basis, it has been well over a year (maybe two) since my last visit. So, as you can imagine, I was very excited to take the girls! I wanted to explore the new-ish Children’s Garden and of course, take my necessary instagram picture of the pumpkin house!
Before I get into all of that, let me give you the details on what you really came for — How to get 2 adults and 6 kids into Franklin Park Conservatory for FREE, no strings attached!
Last year (or earlier this year), the Columbus Metropolitan Library introduced a program where cardholders can check out free culture passes at specific branches. Included in the culture passes are Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Wexner Center for the Arts, National Veterans Memorial and Museum and the Ohio History Center. The initiative is considered a pilot program, with hopes of expanding the types of passes available.
How does it work?
You check out the passes just like you would check out a library book! At the specific branch, you will walk up to the front desk and let them know your would like to check out a culture pass. If available (which you can check beforehand), you will give them your ID and library card. They will scan it and give you a temporary membership to the place of your choice. It is a paper card, which does NOT have to be returned to the library.
Which passes are available? How many people? Where do you get them?
Franklin Park Conservatory passes admit two adults and six children and are valid for two days. Passes are available at the Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches.
Ohio History Center passes admit up to eight adults or children and also are valid for the Ohio Village living-history museum when it is open. The pass is valid for seven days. The passes are available at the Karl Road, Linden, Northern Lights and Northside branches.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum passes admit up to two adults and five children. The pass is valid fo three days. The passes are available at the Franklinton, Martin Luther King, Parsons, Livingston and Main branches.
Wexner Center passes admit two adults – students and children are admitted for free – and are valid for two days. The passes are available at the main, Martin Luther King, Northside and Whetstone branches.
You can check here to see if passes are available and their location. Or you can call the library’s main line at 614-645-2275 and they will check for you. Passes must be checked out in person. Keep in mind, there are only a certain number of passes available – which means they might be checked out!
Okay, now that you know about that, let’s get back to talking about the Children’s Garden at FPC. Wow. Wow. Wow. The thought that went into the design of it is absolutely brilliant. From the nature play zone to the canopy walk to the nature art studio to the 15 foot tall Sandstone Bluff, inspired by Hocking Hills sandstone geology – I was truly impressed with the entire outdoor space.
“This 2-acre garden is the largest horticulture project ever undertaken by the Conservatory. Featuring numerous unique, interactive experiences celebrating the Ohio landscape, the Children’s Garden will focus on introducing and connecting children to the natural world, as well as renewing that connection for their parents and caregivers.”
– fpconservatory.org
It was a pretty hot day, so our first stop was the water area in My Ohio Woods. The girls had a BLAST splashing and crawling around. Yes, there are areas that are too deep for them, but they weren’t quickly accessed -meaning, they were able to freely explore without being too close to that area.
After exploring the water for a bit, we wandered down the trail the pavilion. Little did I know, they offered drop-in, self-guided weekly themes! Such a wonderful discovery.
Upcoming Weekly Themes
Oct 7–13: Ohio’s Rocks and Fossils
Oct 14–20: Harvest Blooms
Oct 21–27: Pumpkin Patch
Next to the learning pavilion, there was a nature art studio, a garden area where kids could water the plants and wetland explore where you could walk on a floating path. A bonus to the area was a hand washing station, changing area, bathrooms and a drinking fountain.
As we ventured back out to the front entrance of the Children’s garden, we passed by a large sandbox, a playhouse garden to encourage creative dramatic play, a canopy walk with a hammock lounge 13 feet off the ground and a play area where you can use real gardening tools and climb on native Ohio tree stumps.
The last part we explored on the way out was the musical area. Not only did they have “life-size” instruments, they had baskets full of smaller instruments that were perfect for the girls!
I have to give a big shout-out to the mom who walked over and said, “Can I take your picture? Moms are never in pictures with their kids?”
Click here to learn more about the Children’s Garden and everything it has to offer!
A lot of people suggested I wait to take the girls because there wasn’t anything they could “really do” in the Children’s Garden. I am glad I didn’t listen because they had an absolute blast. There were parts of the water that were a bit too deep for them, but plenty that weren’t. They loved playing the musical instruments in the grass and if they weren’t in the stage of eating everything, I would have let them play in the sandbox, too! We would have spent all afternoon there if it wasn’t a cool 95 degree September day……
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