Huntington Gardens at Schiller Park in German Village

By Teresa Woodard

Looking for a (safe) escape this Labor Day weekend? Consider a trip to historic German Village just south of downtown Columbus, Ohio to tour Huntington Gardens of Schiller Park. The  tree-lined brick promenade is filled with three 100-foot perennial beds now in late-summer glory! And don’t forget to look up . . . the park is host to the “Suspension: Balancing Art, Nature and Culture, ” an exhibit of  19 high-wire sculptures by artist Jerry Jotka Kedziora.

According to Kedziora, “Art must get out of museums and reach the people.” Born in 1947, Kedziora is a sculptor, painter, designer and teacher from Poland.  He has installed his gravity-defying sculptures in public spaces around the world including Abu Dhabi, Miami, Krakow and Vienna. Check out this video of his work.

While the 23-acre Schiller Park was founded in the late 1800s, the Huntington Gardens were only added in 1993 as part of a park revitalization. The promenade leads from the park’s west entrance to the base of the statue of German poet Frederick Von Schiller. The statue was a gift to the park and the citizens of Columbus in 1891 from German-born residents of the neighborhood. Granite stones inscribed with quotes from Schiller’s literacy works line the walkway.

Today, the gardens are maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers and feature a wonderful selection of perennials.

Extend your visit with a picnic lunch from Brown Bag Deli just north of the park. There’s also Jeni’s Ice Cream beside the deli. Other favorites within walking distance of the park include Barcelona (try brunch or dinner on the patio) and Fox in the Snow coffee shop.