A new public pocket park was unveiled yesterday evening at a location that you might not expect to find a park. Tucked away at the end of a commercial office parking lot, adjacent to the Polaris Fashion Place mall, the new Polaris Founders Park is bordered by Interstate 71 to the east and the I-71 southbound onramp to the south.
The new $500,000 park was privately funded and built in memory of Robert C. Echele, the man responsible with the planning and development of the 1,200-acre Polaris Centers of Commerce. Mr. Echele passed away in 2007.
The 1.5 acre park includes Japanese-inspired gardens, waterfalls, a pond and a gazebo in addition to the crown jewel: a 35-foot wind sculpture designed by local artist Robert Mullins.
“The sculpture will be a monument visible to 100,000 cars per day at the Polaris Interchange, which is the gateway to Columbus from the north,” said Franz A. Geiger, managing director of the Polaris development.
More information can be found online at www.polariscenters.com.