Battelle Riverfront Park

There are so many tiny parks around this part of town, it's hard to know which one is which. I walk this area often and have walked by this park too many times to count, however I just learned this past weekend that it's technically it's own and not part of the others. Confusing, I know. The best way to pinpoint this specific park is to look for the cute, whimsical statues in the lawn. They go along with the story shared on the plaque just behind them. The author's note reads, "It is wise to remember the ancient people before us who greeted new things to this continent. How did they teach children to prepare for great change, holding to virtue as they discovered the voyagers? The hero of this fantasy, Pickaweekee, is named for a village of "The People Who Arose From Ashes," whose ancestors vanished from the Scioto Valley centuries past." In layman's terms, the story is about Pickaweekee, a Native American boy from a Scioto Valley tribe who embarks on a mythical journey of discovery. Alongside each animal statue is a smaller plaque that explains its purpose and how it fits into the story. It's super cute and I love that art is incorporated. There's several creatures and I believe they were all made by sculptor Jack Greaves.If you're looking for a fun spot to take the kids, definitely stop by here during your walk. It only adds to the beauty and culture that is Columbus.

Another beautiful section along the Scioto River! While you can continue to use it as part of the greenway or a stroll down the Scioto Mile area, Battelle Riverfront Park is also home to quite a few memorials, monuments, and art pieces to enjoy. The memorials include one for the Columbus Firefighters, featuring an eternal flame at the top of the piece, the Spanish American War Memorial, and the Workers Memorial, which is dedicated to the Franklin County Workers who have passed while on the job. One of the memorials, which is dedicated those lost on the Space Shuttle Challenger, was designed by local children and is called Their Spirits Circle the Earth.The art features a wonderful swooping sculpture Freedom by local sculptor Alfred Tibor and a sculpture of a man, woman, and baby called To Honor the Immigrants by local sculptor Gary Ross. There are also a number of bronze animals populating the grassy tree area to catch the eye - these six sculptures, along with a large plaque containing the story the illustrations are pulled from - are in the James W. Barney Pickaweekee Story Grove here in Battelle Riverfront Park.There are also donor plaques lining the sidewalk near the memorials and art. This is a very peaceful and relaxing spot. There is nearby street parking using the meters, or it's easily accessible as part of the trails running along the Scioto.

I go for all the shows and sometimes just to walk at night. Always a good time. Winterfest is nice also.

All these parks downtown blend together that it's hard to know which is which.I've been down here last summer to ride the COGO bikes with friends. It's pretty! And I love that there's green space in the downtown area.I came here again during an afternoon break with co workers. We walked around a bit. I saw others who probably work downtown doing the same thing.It's so calming. And again, we need to promote green space! I saw some people kayaking on the river. I'll have to try that next time!

Battelle Riverside Park ( Battelle has two Ts by the way) is a memorial spot on the big bend of the river behind the historical buildings of Marconi. An outside gallery of local culture and civic meditation, the park is a soulful side trip during downtown walks. The memorials are sculptures by various artist honoring the values and sacrifices of an assortment of Franklin County people: an eagle with wings in flight, freedom sculpted by a Holocaust surviver; Native Americans honored by a 'story garden' funded by local biz; the Spanish War Memorial for Columbusites who stormed San Juan Hill and other targets; a remembrance of the fallen Challenger Space Shuttle crew designed by children; an honor to Italian immigrants; a memorial to laborers killed while working in town; and an eternal flame burning for fallen firefighters who died in service, a quiet plot currently in the process of refurbishment. The statues own their space in separation, yet are scattered artfully to connect to a spacey whole. Much like tombstones at a cemetery, up close they dominate with individuality, far back they blend into the others, a collage of a common humanity. These archetypical animals--the regal Lion, the confident griffin, and the graceful unicorn for a few examples--strikes with their mythological significance. The park is relatively small but has short side paths to ancients spots. Behind, the neoclassical Kinneary Couthouse and its Art Deco neighbor drapes the background with a Greco-Roman hue. Sidewalks curve up to them and beyond to the cityscape delights of Marconi, a sight unsung but known to those that experience it on foot. Battelle is lovely for those who find solace and inspiration in civic art and design. It was closed the last few years while the Scioto Greenway was being redone. I am happy to have this spot back. Usually this is where the Santa Maria is anchored; I am not sure if they plan to bring that back---or if they should.

The Batelle Riverfront Park (how many parks is Batelle associated with?!) is a decent inner city retreat. The park is on a hill overlooking the Sciota River, granted, it's not the best view of the river. There are plenty of benches. There's also a cool water area that winds through a section of the park. The water area is littered with statues of animals, mostly mythical. The unicorn is probably my favorite, much more impish than the type you see in cartoons. There's also a railroad nearby. When I was there last weekend, a train was going by; it was a nice, distant sound. The Santa Maria is in this park as well. If you have your own boat, you can launch it from here.I could see myself heading over to the Riverfront Park for lunch if I was in the area, but I wouldn't make a trip out of it otherwise.

Being from out of town and kind of bored midday Saturday, my friend and I decided to take advantage of the bike share and ventured onto this trail. It was a nice little distraction until we had something planned for the evening.Riding through on the bike was a nice touch to see this place too. I'm not quite sure exactly how far this park stretches, so I hope that I don't throw things in here that are outside the boundaries.We entered the park after we winded our way down from the bridge. After passing the homeless guy attempting to dismantle the railing of the sidewalk we were pleasantly surprised by the trails. Coming form a city that prides it's rivers, taking a ride by one is always a nice way to pass the time.The little places along the river that you can rest is nice. Sometimes a bench next to a river can ease the soul. Aside from the benches, there a some great spots to take in the scenery. We rode past a section that a wedding party were taking pictures at, say a bunch of other bike riders and eventually got a sunburn from forgetting what time it was. With this park being so close to downtown, it was an easy to get to and from.

Not a really interesting park. More of a memorial for fighter fighters that sacrificed their life in the line of duty.