Outdoors

Where: Meet inside of Juan Pablo II park on the steps in front of Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church. Donde: dentro del Parque Juan Pablo II en las escaleras al frente de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario. What to bring: Water. Gloves are optional (we will do exercises on the grass, stairs, etc.) Que traer; Agua. Guantes son opcionales (haremos ejercicios varios en el pasto, escaleras, etc.)

Where: Meet inside of Juan Pablo II park on the steps in front of Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church. Donde: dentro del Parque Juan Pablo II en las escaleras al frente de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario. What to bring: Water. Gloves are optional (we will do exercises on the grass, stairs, etc.) Que traer; Agua. Guantes son opcionales (haremos ejercicios varios en el pasto, escaleras, etc.)

**ENGLISH** SATURDAY, MAY 16th — IRISH PARTY 🍀 📍 Meeting point: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Address: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 9:00 PM Follow us on Instagram: @VIVETHINK Welcome to VIVETHINK — Meet locals, travelers, expats, and people from all around the world for a night of languages, music, karaoke, games, and unforgettable parties. Every Saturday we combine a Language Exchange + International Party from 9:00 PM until late. 🕘 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE \| 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🍺 Welcome drink included Start the night with: 🌍 Language exchange (all languages welcome) 🍀 Live Celtic music band 🎻 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM 🎤 Karaoke from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM 🍺 One Irish or Chilean beer included (Non-alcoholic option available) 🎲 Party games & social activities ✨ A fun and relaxed international atmosphere 👉 Ticket: $10.000 CLP (Includes 1 welcome drink) 🕚 INTERNATIONAL PARTY TOUR \| 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM 🍺 1 glass of champagne or Chilean wine at the second spot After the language exchange, we continue the night together visiting some of Santiago’s best nightlife spots. Possible stops for the night (confirmed during the language exchange): ✨ International Party at Hotel W Santiago (Marriott Hotel) 🍀 Another Irish pub (includes one glass of champagne or Chilean wine) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — one of the most popular clubs in the area 👉 Additional Ticket: $10.000 CLP (Includes club entries + 1 glass of champagne or Chilean wine at the second venue) 🌍 Tourists & travelers are always welcome 💳 Pay at the door (cash or card) in Chilean pesos or USD equivalent 👕 Club dress code: no baseball caps, sunglasses, sportswear, or shorts ⚠️ Important: The International Party is only available for participants of the Language Exchange. Party-only tickets are not available. Depending on the night, we may visit one or several venues, all located near each other. We will announce the final party route during the language exchange. 🎁 EXTRA GIFTS for all participants Just by joining the event, you also get: ✨ 1 FREE fisrt Spanish, English, or Portuguese lesson at our school ✨ Up to 25% discounts on some of the best tours, restaurants, hostels, and hotels in Santiago That’s right — you get temporary exclusive deals around the city thanks to our local partnerships, just by joining our international party. Are you ready to experience Santiago’s nightlife? Search for VIVETHINK on Instagram and see what other travelers say about us 🌎 **ESPAÑOL** SÁBADO 16 DE MAYO — FIESTA IRLANDESA 🍀 📍 Punto de encuentro: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Dirección: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 9:00 PM Síguenos en Instagram: @VIVETHINK Bienvenidos a VIVETHINK — Conoce locales, viajeros, expatriados y personas de todo el mundo en una noche de idiomas, música, karaoke, juegos y fiestas inolvidables. Todos los sábados combinamos un Intercambio de Idiomas + Fiesta Internacional desde las 9:00 PM hasta tarde. 🕘 INTERCAMBIO DE IDIOMAS \| 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🍺 Incluye bebida de bienvenida Comienza la noche disfrutando de: 🌍 Intercambio de idiomas (todos los idiomas son bienvenidos) 🍀 Banda de música celta en vivo 🎻 de 9:00 PM a 10:00 PM 🎤 Karaoke de 10:00 PM a 11:00 PM 🍺 Incluye una cerveza irlandesa o chilena (Opción sin alcohol disponible) 🎲 Juegos y actividades sociales ✨ Un ambiente internacional relajado y entretenido 👉 Entrada: $10.000 CLP (Incluye 1 bebida de bienvenida) 🕚 TOUR DE FIESTA INTERNACIONAL \| 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM 🍺 1 copa de champagne o vino chileno incluida en el segundo lugar Después del intercambio de idiomas seguimos la noche juntos visitando algunos de los mejores lugares de fiesta en Santiago. Posibles destinos de la noche (confirmados durante el intercambio de idiomas): ✨ Fiesta internacional en Hotel W Santiago (Hotel Marriott) 🍀 Otro pub irlandés (incluye una copa de champagne o vino chileno) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — uno de los clubes más populares del sector 👉 Entrada adicional: $10.000 CLP (Incluye entradas a los clubes + 1 copa de champagne o vino chileno en el segundo lugar) 🌍 Turistas y viajeros siempre bienvenidos 💳 Pago en puerta con efectivo o tarjeta en pesos chilenos o equivalente en USD 👕 Código de vestimenta para clubes: no jockeys, lentes de sol, ropa deportiva ni shorts ⚠️ Importante: La Fiesta Internacional solo está disponible para participantes del Intercambio de Idiomas. No se venden entradas solo para la fiesta. Dependiendo de la noche, podemos visitar uno o varios lugares, todos cercanos entre sí. Anunciaremos la ruta final durante el intercambio de idiomas. 🎁 REGALOS EXTRA para todos los participantes Solo por participar en el evento también obtienes: ✨ 1 primera clase GRATIS de español, inglés o portugués en nuestra escuela ✨ Hasta un 25% de descuento en algunos de los mejores tours, restaurantes, hostales y hoteles de Santiago Así es — obtienes descuentos exclusivos temporales en la ciudad gracias a nuestras alianzas locales, solo por unirte a nuestra fiesta internacional. ¿Estás listo para vivir la vida nocturna de Santiago? Busca VIVETHINK en Instagram y mira lo que otros viajeros dicen sobre nosotros 🌎 **PORTUGUÊS** SÁBADO, 16 DE MAIO — FESTA IRLANDESA 🍀 📍 Ponto de encontro: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Endereço: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 21:00 Siga nosso Instagram: @VIVETHINK Bem-vindo ao VIVETHINK — Conheça moradores locais, viajantes, expatriados e pessoas do mundo inteiro em uma noite de idiomas, música, karaokê, jogos e festas inesquecíveis. Todos os sábados combinamos um Intercâmbio de Idiomas + Festa Internacional a partir das 21:00 até tarde. 🕘 INTERCÂMBIO DE IDIOMAS \| 21:00 – 23:00 🍺 Drink de boas-vindas incluído Comece a noite com: 🌍 Intercâmbio de idiomas (todos os idiomas são bem-vindos) 🍀 Banda de música celta ao vivo 🎻 das 21:00 às 22:00 🎤 Karaokê das 22:00 às 23:00 🍺 Uma cerveja irlandesa ou chilena incluída (Opção sem álcool disponível) 🎲 Jogos e atividades sociais ✨ Um ambiente internacional divertido e descontraído 👉 Entrada: $10.000 CLP (Inclui 1 drink de boas-vindas) 🕚 TOUR DA FESTA INTERNACIONAL \| 23:00 – 03:00 🍺 1 taça de champagne ou vinho chileno incluída no segundo local Depois do intercâmbio de idiomas, continuamos a noite juntos visitando alguns dos melhores lugares da vida noturna de Santiago. Possíveis paradas da noite (confirmadas durante o intercâmbio): ✨ Festa internacional no Hotel W Santiago (Hotel Marriott) 🍀 Outro pub irlandês (inclui uma taça de champagne ou vinho chileno) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — uma das baladas mais populares da região 👉 Entrada adicional: $10.000 CLP (Inclui entradas nas baladas + 1 taça de champagne ou vinho chileno no segundo local) 🌍 Turistas e viajantes são sempre bem-vindos 💳 Pagamento na entrada com dinheiro ou cartão em pesos chilenos ou equivalente em USD 👕 Dress code para as baladas: sem bonés, óculos de sol, roupas esportivas ou bermudas ⚠️ Importante: A Festa Internacional está disponível apenas para participantes do Intercâmbio de Idiomas. Não vendemos entradas somente para a festa. Dependendo da noite, podemos visitar um ou vários lugares, todos próximos uns dos outros. Informaremos a rota final durante o intercâmbio de idiomas. 🎁 PRESENTES EXTRAS para todos os participantes Só por participar do evento você também ganha: ✨ 1 primeira aula GRÁTIS de espanhol, inglês ou português na nossa escola ✨ Até 25% de desconto em alguns dos melhores tours, restaurantes, hostels e hotéis de Santiago Isso mesmo — você ganha descontos exclusivos temporários na cidade graças às nossas parcerias locais, apenas por participar da nossa festa internacional. Está pronto para viver a vida noturna de Santiago? Procure VIVETHINK no Instagram e veja o que outros viajantes dizem sobre nós 🌎

**ENGLISH** SATURDAY, MAY 16th — IRISH PARTY 🍀 📍 Meeting point: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Address: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 9:00 PM Follow us on Instagram: @VIVETHINK Welcome to VIVETHINK — Meet locals, travelers, expats, and people from all around the world for a night of languages, music, karaoke, games, and unforgettable parties. Every Saturday we combine a Language Exchange + International Party from 9:00 PM until late. 🕘 LANGUAGE EXCHANGE \| 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🍺 Welcome drink included Start the night with: 🌍 Language exchange (all languages welcome) 🍀 Live Celtic music band 🎻 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM 🎤 Karaoke from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM 🍺 One Irish or Chilean beer included (Non-alcoholic option available) 🎲 Party games & social activities ✨ A fun and relaxed international atmosphere 👉 Ticket: $10.000 CLP (Includes 1 welcome drink) 🕚 INTERNATIONAL PARTY TOUR \| 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM 🍺 1 glass of champagne or Chilean wine at the second spot After the language exchange, we continue the night together visiting some of Santiago’s best nightlife spots. Possible stops for the night (confirmed during the language exchange): ✨ International Party at Hotel W Santiago (Marriott Hotel) 🍀 Another Irish pub (includes one glass of champagne or Chilean wine) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — one of the most popular clubs in the area 👉 Additional Ticket: $10.000 CLP (Includes club entries + 1 glass of champagne or Chilean wine at the second venue) 🌍 Tourists & travelers are always welcome 💳 Pay at the door (cash or card) in Chilean pesos or USD equivalent 👕 Club dress code: no baseball caps, sunglasses, sportswear, or shorts ⚠️ Important: The International Party is only available for participants of the Language Exchange. Party-only tickets are not available. Depending on the night, we may visit one or several venues, all located near each other. We will announce the final party route during the language exchange. 🎁 EXTRA GIFTS for all participants Just by joining the event, you also get: ✨ 1 FREE fisrt Spanish, English, or Portuguese lesson at our school ✨ Up to 25% discounts on some of the best tours, restaurants, hostels, and hotels in Santiago That’s right — you get temporary exclusive deals around the city thanks to our local partnerships, just by joining our international party. Are you ready to experience Santiago’s nightlife? Search for VIVETHINK on Instagram and see what other travelers say about us 🌎 **ESPAÑOL** SÁBADO 16 DE MAYO — FIESTA IRLANDESA 🍀 📍 Punto de encuentro: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Dirección: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 9:00 PM Síguenos en Instagram: @VIVETHINK Bienvenidos a VIVETHINK — Conoce locales, viajeros, expatriados y personas de todo el mundo en una noche de idiomas, música, karaoke, juegos y fiestas inolvidables. Todos los sábados combinamos un Intercambio de Idiomas + Fiesta Internacional desde las 9:00 PM hasta tarde. 🕘 INTERCAMBIO DE IDIOMAS \| 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 🍺 Incluye bebida de bienvenida Comienza la noche disfrutando de: 🌍 Intercambio de idiomas (todos los idiomas son bienvenidos) 🍀 Banda de música celta en vivo 🎻 de 9:00 PM a 10:00 PM 🎤 Karaoke de 10:00 PM a 11:00 PM 🍺 Incluye una cerveza irlandesa o chilena (Opción sin alcohol disponible) 🎲 Juegos y actividades sociales ✨ Un ambiente internacional relajado y entretenido 👉 Entrada: $10.000 CLP (Incluye 1 bebida de bienvenida) 🕚 TOUR DE FIESTA INTERNACIONAL \| 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM 🍺 1 copa de champagne o vino chileno incluida en el segundo lugar Después del intercambio de idiomas seguimos la noche juntos visitando algunos de los mejores lugares de fiesta en Santiago. Posibles destinos de la noche (confirmados durante el intercambio de idiomas): ✨ Fiesta internacional en Hotel W Santiago (Hotel Marriott) 🍀 Otro pub irlandés (incluye una copa de champagne o vino chileno) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — uno de los clubes más populares del sector 👉 Entrada adicional: $10.000 CLP (Incluye entradas a los clubes + 1 copa de champagne o vino chileno en el segundo lugar) 🌍 Turistas y viajeros siempre bienvenidos 💳 Pago en puerta con efectivo o tarjeta en pesos chilenos o equivalente en USD 👕 Código de vestimenta para clubes: no jockeys, lentes de sol, ropa deportiva ni shorts ⚠️ Importante: La Fiesta Internacional solo está disponible para participantes del Intercambio de Idiomas. No se venden entradas solo para la fiesta. Dependiendo de la noche, podemos visitar uno o varios lugares, todos cercanos entre sí. Anunciaremos la ruta final durante el intercambio de idiomas. 🎁 REGALOS EXTRA para todos los participantes Solo por participar en el evento también obtienes: ✨ 1 primera clase GRATIS de español, inglés o portugués en nuestra escuela ✨ Hasta un 25% de descuento en algunos de los mejores tours, restaurantes, hostales y hoteles de Santiago Así es — obtienes descuentos exclusivos temporales en la ciudad gracias a nuestras alianzas locales, solo por unirte a nuestra fiesta internacional. ¿Estás listo para vivir la vida nocturna de Santiago? Busca VIVETHINK en Instagram y mira lo que otros viajeros dicen sobre nosotros 🌎 **PORTUGUÊS** SÁBADO, 16 DE MAIO — FESTA IRLANDESA 🍀 📍 Ponto de encontro: Flannery's Beer House (+18) 📌 Endereço: Av. Tobalaba 379, Providencia, Santiago 🕘 21:00 Siga nosso Instagram: @VIVETHINK Bem-vindo ao VIVETHINK — Conheça moradores locais, viajantes, expatriados e pessoas do mundo inteiro em uma noite de idiomas, música, karaokê, jogos e festas inesquecíveis. Todos os sábados combinamos um Intercâmbio de Idiomas + Festa Internacional a partir das 21:00 até tarde. 🕘 INTERCÂMBIO DE IDIOMAS \| 21:00 – 23:00 🍺 Drink de boas-vindas incluído Comece a noite com: 🌍 Intercâmbio de idiomas (todos os idiomas são bem-vindos) 🍀 Banda de música celta ao vivo 🎻 das 21:00 às 22:00 🎤 Karaokê das 22:00 às 23:00 🍺 Uma cerveja irlandesa ou chilena incluída (Opção sem álcool disponível) 🎲 Jogos e atividades sociais ✨ Um ambiente internacional divertido e descontraído 👉 Entrada: $10.000 CLP (Inclui 1 drink de boas-vindas) 🕚 TOUR DA FESTA INTERNACIONAL \| 23:00 – 03:00 🍺 1 taça de champagne ou vinho chileno incluída no segundo local Depois do intercâmbio de idiomas, continuamos a noite juntos visitando alguns dos melhores lugares da vida noturna de Santiago. Possíveis paradas da noite (confirmadas durante o intercâmbio): ✨ Festa internacional no Hotel W Santiago (Hotel Marriott) 🍀 Outro pub irlandês (inclui uma taça de champagne ou vinho chileno) 🎶 Club Subterráneo — uma das baladas mais populares da região 👉 Entrada adicional: $10.000 CLP (Inclui entradas nas baladas + 1 taça de champagne ou vinho chileno no segundo local) 🌍 Turistas e viajantes são sempre bem-vindos 💳 Pagamento na entrada com dinheiro ou cartão em pesos chilenos ou equivalente em USD 👕 Dress code para as baladas: sem bonés, óculos de sol, roupas esportivas ou bermudas ⚠️ Importante: A Festa Internacional está disponível apenas para participantes do Intercâmbio de Idiomas. Não vendemos entradas somente para a festa. Dependendo da noite, podemos visitar um ou vários lugares, todos próximos uns dos outros. Informaremos a rota final durante o intercâmbio de idiomas. 🎁 PRESENTES EXTRAS para todos os participantes Só por participar do evento você também ganha: ✨ 1 primeira aula GRÁTIS de espanhol, inglês ou português na nossa escola ✨ Até 25% de desconto em alguns dos melhores tours, restaurantes, hostels e hotéis de Santiago Isso mesmo — você ganha descontos exclusivos temporários na cidade graças às nossas parcerias locais, apenas por participar da nossa festa internacional. Está pronto para viver a vida noturna de Santiago? Procure VIVETHINK no Instagram e veja o que outros viajantes dizem sobre nós 🌎

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Let's check out the Maker's Market in German Village, a large outdoor Artisan Market, featuring over 65 Makers, Goods, Art and Delicious Food Trucks! Admission is FREE! [GVMM](https://www.gv-mm.com/) Let's get outside and enjoy the New Spring Season and Warm Weather! We will meet at Stauf's Coffee Roasters in German Village on South 3rd Street at Noon, 12 PM and then take a brisk walk to the Maker's Market, just south of Schiller Park. We can initially get coffee at Stauf's Coffee Roasters, if anyone may want to do so. Parking is widely available at Schiller Park and surrounding side streets. Thanks and hope to see you come out!

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

[Old School Groove](https://www.facebook.com/OldSchoolGrooveBand/) \- Vintage rock\, southern rock\, blues\, reggae\. Originals mixed with 60s & 70s classics\. Getcha groove on\! **[Flint Station](https://www.theflintstation.com/)** is an old depot venue for drinks and live music. They usually have a **bbq food truck** on location. Feel free to bring your own takeout. I'll bring a basket of snacks. NO COVER *They're planning for a beautiful summer evening performance in the beer garden. However, if the weather doesn't cooperate...they will be upstairs in the old-time dance hall. Either way...it's going to be a night to remember!!* **PARKING**: either near the beer garden or across the street.