The Topiary Park

This park is one of my favorite places to be. They have summer movies on Friday, its decorated with lights in the winter, and is a great, quiet place in Downtown. The streets are usually full of cars on Sundays in the summer. Great for picnics

Cute little free park. woth plenty of metered parking. Worth the 1 dollar parking fee. we saw it on the internet and thought we would check it out. It’s a very interestingly inturpritation of Seurat’s painting. They don’t start trimming the bush’s till June so they will look a bit overgrown till then. but it’s an amazing combo of nature and art.

As a Columbus native, I’ve been to the topiary park many times over the years. During the summer, the topiaries look full and lush, shaped exactly like Georges Seurat’s «A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte». During dry-​spells or colder seasons, the topiaries don’t quite fill out, often appearing thin/​holey with the topiaries’ wireframe structures visible underneath the hedges. The gardens are well-​maintained, but the plants’ well-​being depends largely on Columbus’s weather. The park itself is a nice urban space with a small pond, new benches, and some table areas. It’d be a nice place to have lunch, play a game of chess, or walk your dog on a sunny day. Maybe also a nice place to read after checking out a book from Columbus Public Library’s main branch, which is adjacent to the park.
I visited the topiary park this past weekend (July 2015) with my bf and thought the gardens looked wonderful. There were 3 – 4 other couples/​families enjoying at the gardens as well, so the park was lively, but not overly crowded.
Parking tip: Don’t get suckered into using the metered parking adjacent to the park! There is free parking ~1 block away (ex. Town St.). There is also a rack of CoGo bikes at the topiary park if you use the shared bike service.

As a not-​so-​young former idealist, I’m given to random grumblings about what Columbus could be, what Columbus SHOULD be, rather than accepting it, even praising it, for what it is.
For example, for years I bemoaned the fact that the downtown area is sorely lacking in green spaces, and while that is still largely true, things are improving. The waterfront, Bicentennial Park, Scioto Mile and The Commons are prime examples of why you should be placing yourself in this area after work hours, but you would be remiss if you didn’t also include the Topiary Park on Town Street, nestled just behind the Main Library (
). Never heard of it? Don’t worry, a lot of Columbus natives haven’t. For reasons that are beyond my comprehension, this quiet 7-​acre piece of ground seems to escape public awareness and seems to exist solely for the patrons of the library, Ohio and Palace Theaters, the CMA and neighbors in the immediate vicinity.
The gently winding paths are a delight to traverse, and the variety of flora is picturesque and very nearly isolates the park from the street noise from nearby I-​71. The natural pond is a popular attraction for duck families, so you are likely to see quacking youngsters during the right time of year. But let’s face it: what gives the park its fame was a fairly recent creation: in 1989, a Columbus Parks and Rec employee designed a living topiary representation of Seurat’s «Sunday Afternoon» consisting of over 60 yew figures. It stands as a remarkable botanical creation, but to view it from the corresponding angle is an amazing sight to behold.
So put away your cell phone and enjoy the scenic serenity that the Topiary Park has to offer. The visitor’s center can provide some background, but if you’re like me, you’ll fall in love on face value alone.

I love this place for two reasons: It is walkable from the CMA, so art lovers do not have to go far. Also, it is based off of a very famous painting, and I just think it is so cool to be able to «walk amongst» the painting!
I unfortunately have not been here when the park is blooming, but I will return again. The last time I was here there were baby ducks juxtaposed with sleeping homeless on the benches. Just to be safe, bring a friend to enjoy your walk with you!

I had a relaxing stroll through the Topiary Park earlier today. It was also my first visit. Too bad the visitor center isn’t open in December. :-/
The pathways are nice, and they curve and wind about the park to make for a very pleasing walk. Established trees are abundant, and the numerous birds perched in them were quite loud. Not in a bad way, and I thought they brought some life to the park on this chilly winter day.
Of course, I walked up the path to see the painting rendered in topiaries. Very neat! I know it’s a small park, but I wish they would do more than just the one. There is room to have two or three life-​sized topiaries based off of other works of art.
Anyway, I’d like to visit again in the spring to see the trees and flowers in bloom. Otherwise, this is a breath of fresh air downtown.

I was excited to check this place out. Maybe my expectations were too high, but the whole park looked a little run down. The topiary plants all had stray branches growing and needed a good clipping. Some of them had half of the wire frameworks exposed. It looked like it’s been abandoned for months. If it was any other time of the year, I would blame it on the season. But… it’s SUMMER! It should look its best now. I see alot of potential, or maybe a glimpse of its past glory, but now it looks a little sad. Hopefully, the city will take better care of this park.

Went with my gf a few weeks back. When she first told me about the garden, it seemed quite exciting. We went towards dusk as she wanted to get good lighting for pictures. There was plenty of parking space around it, but the positives almost ended there for me.
Overall, I was pretty disappointed in the garden. Perhaps I came at a bad time in the year, but it was super underwhelming. The sculptures well only half covered by foliage so that the metal framework was sticking out on all of them. The sculptures also all needed trimming. The garden seemed pretty unkept for a month +. It’s spacious and there’s tons of walking space though…

7 acres of park and plenty of benches to sit at. Bring your lunch and have a picnic. Great spot for photos. The garden is stunning. I wish there was more acreage to it but it’s so quaint and well-​manicured it doesn’t need much else.

The most gorgeous park-​pond in Columbus is here. Unlike the standard park-​pond, Topiary’s is without stone or concrete edge making it seem natural; it goes from grass to water, making it seem like a flooded flow of a Wordsworth poem, or a sylvan scene of a Yates sung island, with wonderful water lilies blooming out. Of course the pond is part of the namesake of the park, a illusionary River Seine of Jim Barney’s topiary interpretation of George Seurat’s Un dimanche après-​midi à l’Île de la Grande Jatte — 1884: A Sunday Afternoon on the Grand Island – 1884.
Unfortunately, the shrubbery is suffering. This was my virgin trip and I was a bit disappointed. The sculptures were receded and revealed too much of their metal frames and so rendered the scene less amazing than the many picture. This I do not blame of CP&R (who’s maintenance on the various parks I have visited deserves applause), but on the harsh winter we went through. A similar punch that Whetstone’s Park of Roses has taken. Such is the chance you take with nature, so I will not hold a mark against the park.
Still, the creativity, skill, and imagination stands out. There is the umbrella couple, the pipe smoker, the trumpeter, and reveries on the river. I’ll certainly make a note to return someday when the shrubbery has healed to enjoy the entire 3d impact; I’m curious how Mr. Barney dealt with space, especially depth, and if he can make me see the painting differently thereby; how often do you get the chance to see a painting in multiple views, different angles, and from inside the painting itself?
The remaining park is nice and spacey; basically a well maintained neighborhood park. Good for locals to walk dogs, meet friends, get sunshine. For others though, it is the topiary garden that makes it worth the trips.

Definitely not far enough away from the bad side of town. If you are a female and go there by yourself, even in the middle of the day, be prepared to have people think you are hooking and yell out to you. Not kidding. Wouldn’t go back there to save my life, sorry. It’s pretty but I’ve seen a lot better, and felt a lot safer. I honestly don’t know what these other reviewers see in it — I must have gone on a very very bad day apparently.

Really cool place! The topiarists (what a cool job title) do a really great job, and it’s so fun to walk and look around. It’s not a big park but everything is very well done, and it’s a very relaxing place to spend part of an afternoon. I’d like an amusement park version of this, with miles and miles of topiaries and rides decorated in shrubbery, but until someone makes this dream a reality, I’ll be revisiting this park when I can.

What a neat little park! You get all of the perks of a regular park — trails, picnic tables, benches, but it also has the added bonus of the topiary garden. The topiaries look like Seurat’s painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte, and the pond provides a nice area to watch the visiting waterfowl. The location is great too — this is an easy place to visit when you’re already walking around downtown near the main library.
A nice place to stroll!

Cute, small park in downtown Columbus. This is a nice place to take a walk on a work lunch break. The highlight is the topiary garden of Seurat’s «A Sunday On The Island Of La Grande Jatte.» Just be aware that because this is downtown, there may be vagrants– leave em alone and they’ll leave you alone.

It was so fun walking with my dog there. They encourage you to do so. Just be sure to bring your leash.
The ponds, and the shrubs are just gorgeous. It’s like one big work of art in 3D. I’m such an art geek. Also, there are ducks and fish around the pond. You could go to the Main Library, go to Cosi, go to the Art Museum and come here for a nice walk. I bet some people bring their lunch to look at the park.
A word of caution as some of the other Unilocalers mentioned, it is downtown and you may see a lot of transients (vagabonds). Just be aware of your surroundings and treat people how you would like be treated.

My favorite park in the city!
I lived across the street from this park in 2004 and now I’m back in the area again. I love the topiaries, the ducks, the trees and the benches. It has a nice view of the back of the library, and the pretty houses on Town St.
I’m looking forward to seeing baby ducks soon.

The main library, located a stone’s throw away is purported to be purchasing the grounds and building of the previous deaf school. Given that the CML has been honored as the best in the nation for 2011/​2012, it’s sure to do amazing things with an already unique and beautiful place. It is a fantastic oasis so close to the heart of the hustle and bustle of down town.
Immaculate, creative, and peaceful — it soothes a soul.

Like most native Columbusians (totally made that up) you haven’t been here yet, right? Well, I took my out-​of-​town family here, and was pleasantly surprised. The serene grounds and picturesque views make you forget you are in the middle of the city!
Nestled between the Columbus Library’s Main location and Washington Ave it lays relatively dormant in the middle of downtown. The few times I have been here I have noticed just a handful of people around. The grounds are relatively quiet. It would be great for a blanket picnic or afternoon nap! For those with a little more energy, a high flying game of frisbee would be perfect here!
Oh, did I forget to mention the topiaries?! Seurat’s famous painting comes to life in the form of greenerie. It is a bit Surreal (pun intended) to walk between the Hedge People and Animals. It is great fun figuring out what the shapes are and matching them to the painting. It was the best, watching my little nephew’s eyes just about pop out of his head when he spied the Ginormous coy in the little pond! They could easily swallow a small dog.
I highly recommend a visit, you wont be sorry! Plus it’s free– so buy something in the gift shop to support it and the Ohio Deaf School!

I’m an art history nerd. This was right up my alley. However, even if you aren’t an art fan, this is a fabulous park… right in the middle of the city!
The park is maintained well. There are open spaces, tables and benches scattered around the park. The portion with the topiary is nestled in one corner, and the rest of the park is just that… a park.
Surprisingly quiet for being in an urban area. Occasional city noise, but still a great place to have a quiet moment. We laid in the grass by the pond, I knit, he read… it was a good time.
You need to go, just to say you’ve seen it! The topiary is truly amazing.
Also, if you were curious what the original painting looks like, the shop has a large print over the fireplace. The bronze plaque at the front of the topiary just doesn’t do the painting justice.

Going to Topiary Garden is like going to an art museum! It’s beautiful, creative, and peaceful all at the same time. This isn’t a park I could sit in all day and just do nothing; I always go with a mission to walk around.