Big changes are coming to the Franklin Park Conservatory next spring, and they will directly impact visitors to Franklin Park who do not pay to enter the conservatory.
Two sections of the park that were previously open to the public will be enclosed by a fence in May of next year – the new Children’s Garden (which is currently under construction), and the Grand Mallway, the formal garden centered on a metal sail-like sculpture that is located just west of the conservatory’s historic Palm House.
Bruce Harkey, President & CEO of Franklin Park Conservatory, said that this is the latest step in the realization of a master plan – first laid out nearly 20 years ago and updated in recent years – that is meant to secure the financial future of the nonprofit organization and to catapult it into the top tier of public conservatories in the country.
“Our visitor experience currently is limited to the building, which offers about an acre-and-a-half of space for visitors,” he said, explaining that that’s a much smaller footprint than other large conservatories around the country.
The new children’s garden, along with the Grand Mallway space next to it, will greatly increase the amount of space available for new programming – Harkey said that possibilities include more topiary animals, an expanded holiday light display, and an outdoor Chihuly exhibit. Based on studies of similar upgrades made at other facilities, the new space and programming is expected to lead to at least a doubling of annual attendance.
The conservatory has raised over $20 million for the children’s garden and for other improvements to the eight acres of land they are calling the “expanded visitor experience.” The Columbus City Council recently voted to contribute $1.5 million toward the project.
James Flannery, president of the Franklin Park Civic Association (FPCA), which represents the neighborhood immediately to the south and west of the park, said that details of the plan were first presented to the group in January, followed by open houses during the summer.
Other outreach included presentations to Near East Area Commission, the Eastgate Civic Association, and the Woodland Park Neighborhood Association, as well as regular updates to the conservatory’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
Although members of those organizations have known about the plans for some time, the changes will likely come as a surprise to more casual users of the park, many of whom probably don’t know that the area being fenced in is already owned by the conservatory – it is part of a 28-acre section that was deeded to the conservatory before the Ameriflora exhibition in 1992.
The conservatory also leases 12 acres in the southeast corner of the park from the city, where they have developed the Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Campus, a new greenhouse, and the Wells Barn, which was dedicated in 2015.
“There is often a lack of understanding when it comes to the distinction between the conservatory, the Park, and even our historic neighborhood,” said Flannery.
Harkey added that many people don’t realize that the conservatory maintains the grounds of the entire park, even the 44 acres owned by Columbus Recreation and Parks. His argument is that a conservatory that is financially healthy is good for the future of Franklin Park as well.
Harkey also emphasized that improvements will be made on both sides of the new fence, including a new walking path that will run along the northern edge of the new children’s garden.
Fencing in a section of the park that had always been accessible to the public, though, will not be seen as progress by all.
“Change can be difficult,” said Flannery. “As the plan is completed, I expect there will be more questions. The conservatory is showing that they are sensitive to a period of adjustment.”
“We’re working on an access program, to make sure that everyone, regardless of economic ability, has access to the children’s garden,” said Harkey. The goal is to give away 5,000 free tickets, and the conservatory plans to work with community partners to get them out to churches and neighborhood groups. A reduced-price yearly membership, pegged to income level, is also available and will be promoted more.
“We want win-win situations for our historic neighborhood and for our most well-know resident, the conservatory,” said Flannery. “Through two-way conversations, we can understand what is necessary for the conservatory to have income to meet expenses, and to discuss how the greatest public access can be maintained.”
For more information, visit www.fpconservatory.org.
