Web Mapping

A well-trodden trail with food gems at the end. Guildwood was a former artists' colony and has an idyllic setting close to the Scarborough bluffs. It's a weird mish-mash of attractions and we'll check out every one of them. Then it's down to the lake shore, a popular hiking trail. The eastern approach to the cliffs goes past an iconic sculpture before swinging up an invigorating hill. Guildwood does not have good food. The handful of good restaurants in this hike are at the end, in Scarborough Village. There's an excellent Egyptian restaurant with an ambitious menu, a Haitian supermarket, and a unique dining experience in a retirement residence. A trio of South Asian restaurants await at the end, where you can choose between Sri Lankan, Kerala, and Tamil food. Or try them all. **Highlights** 1. Clark Centre for the Arts (depart 4pm) 2. Guild Inn 3. Greek theatre and scattered statuary 4. South Marine Park 5. Scarborough Bluffs 6. Passage sculpture (depart 5:15pm) 7. Doris McCarthy Trail / Gates Gully 8. Haitians Food Market 9. Aragoz 10. Momiji / Maru Sun Japanese Restaurant 11. Scarborough Village Theatre (depart 6:10pm) 12. Cornell Campbell House 13. Premium Sweets 14. King of Taste / Tharavadu Home Of Kerala Cuisine / Namma Madurai (arrive 6:40pm) **Neighbourhoods** Guildwood > Scarborough Village **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=14edeBtVwC8vnT40YPt8BG7XVXxPd3kU&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=14edeBtVwC8vnT40YPt8BG7XVXxPd3kU&usp=sharing) Long, steep uphill at Doris McCarthy Trail. **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

Join us on a relaxed waterfront ride of Toronto's west end into the edge of Mississauga to explore [Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area](https://trca.ca/conservation/infrastructure-projects/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/), the new 26 hectare waterfront park in the Greater Toronto Area that opens on May 30th, "after more than a decade of planning, collaboration and community vision". 9:30am meet on the Humber Bay Arch Bridge 9:45am depart on group ride 10:00-10:10am group gathers at western edge of Colonel Sam Smith Park 10:30am arrival at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area 10:30-11:15am group and individual exploration of Conservation Area 11:30 return group ride 12:00pm arrival back at Humber Bay Bridge 12:00-1:00pm optional social (food, drinks, ice cream) on Marine Parade Drive Cycling distance: approximtely 25km (10.7km in each direction plus a small distance within Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area) Terrain: paved multi-use trail, residential roads, and hard-packed gravel trail Suitable bikes: city, commuter, hybrid, gravel, MTB, and road with thicker tires Helmet: highly recommended! Bring: a bike in working order, plenty of water, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, and good vibes! Event info: https://cvc.ca/conversations/grand-opening-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/ https://cvc.ca/discover-the-new-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/ Project info: https://trca.ca/conservation/infrastructure-projects/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/ News coverage: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area-mississauga-9.7191853 https://www.insauga.com/heres-when-huge-new-conservation-area-opens-to-the-public-in-mississauga/

[Summary] This meetup is for those who are interested in code, web development, design, cloud, or AI. All levels are welcome, so feel free to bring your laptop and discuss what you are working on or what you are learning. You can share your projects and ideas with other participants freely. There are outlets and WiFi, drinks are about $5 for tea, they take card only. [Price] Attendance is FREE. But you need to buy something from the venue. [Policies] \- We do not tolerate harassment of our members \- We remind users that that this meetup is intended for networking and hobby development\, and any attempts at using this meetup event as a dating platform will not be not be tolerated Further information: https://torontostack.exchange/

Hello hello, Last week the weather had other plans. This week, I am trying. Weather permitting, I'll update if the forecast turns on us again. Here's hoping it doesn't. We're claiming a patch of park like it's ours (it's not) for an afternoon of games, sports, and the kind of low-stakes chaos that happens when you put people in sunlight. Frisbee, volleyball, ball sports, some other games here and there. Meetup Spot: Riverdale park East. https://maps.app.goo.gl/MvZvbJy7C9KNGKP88 (I may update the location depending upon free patch of land for us) **Bring:** Any outdoor games / Sports you would like to play, water (Or beer🍺), snacks, and a blanket to relax after the cardio. I'll bring a frisbee and volleyball. *See you on the hill. ☀️*

41 KM bike ride from Eglinton West Station to Toronto Island Via Beltline, Moore Ravine, Taylor Creek, Boardwalk. **12:00 PM - 6 PM** Along forest, rivers and lakes We arouse blissful states Catch the 4:00 pm ferry to Ward's Island Catch the 530 pm ferry from Harlan's Point to the Ferry Docks Snack at Tim Hortons, 130 Harbour St, Toronto, ON M5J 2Y2 Tel. [(416) 551-9413](https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=Tim+Hortons%2C+130+Harbor+St&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#) Route Map: https://web.bikemap.net/r/16101445 GPX: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19sCN2dw5GMKACNPL4uIpYteeUi8p92kU/view?usp=drive_link Note: Riders may start and end at any point along the route. Please inform me of your intentions. Chris cell 647 453 3327 WhatsApp Bike Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DG9wJZfrVoe1xj2JyaMOyT Some Bike Group Chat History Before Winter 2024: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QnGKUaSQ_cKOoPrcxDiQb6fyDB9gJmD0/view?usp=sharing

This week we'll be visiting Sunnybrook Park, no guarantees that it'll be sunny though. Our group will leave at the posted time, so please arrive early. Please cancel your RSVP if you can't make it. How fast, how far? Assume 4.5 km/h for a distance of ~6.5km. The path is a mixture of paved and dirt trails so be prepared for anything. The route is a "there and back again", so we will finish where we originally start from. Bring water, a snack, and hiking footwear for a distance walk. We usually go out for coffee after our hike. This time we'll be going to Baretto's Caffe, located at 1262 Don Mills Road unit 106 Required reading for you and your guests before RSVP'ing to all events: 1. [Liability Waiver and Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR0LFNJVYn5j1AYl8eR63HjAxKMkRwg5ifKXqL3rP6Xl7v_Wcsx4xR_kNFluE3eILpSmP-EJ0OouQvT/pub) (updated 05/30/22) 2. When asked at RSVP time, indicate **\*Yes\*** if you agree to the question provided. 3. See general information about [Tick Safety](https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease)

We are hiking at Scotsdale Farm with Debbie McDermott and Bohdan Bilyj. This is a Level_2 Bruce Trail hike with lots of woods, and some lookouts. We expect around 14km with a few hills. **Directions** 1. Exit Highway_401 at Trafalger Road (Exit_328), and go north. 2. After you pass through Georgetown, you will come to a T-intersection, which is Highway_7. Turn left. 3. After three and a half kilometres, fork right back onto Trafalger Road. 4. Continue north about 1.6_kilometres, and look for the sign. Google Maps: [13807 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown, Ontario.](http://goo.gl/maps/EGPdsXsLuZC2) Après-hike suggestion: St. George Pub in Georgetown. Waiver Hiking is a dangerous activity; each participant agrees to assume his/her own risks. If you are new to hiking, please start with a Level 1 hike. Hike leader's decision is final. See you on the trail. ps. ps. ps. Know where you are going Paid app: Bruce Trail Map for smartphones (http://brucetrail.org/pages/trail/app) Free apps: Here's just a sample on the web: Google Fit (https://www.google.com/fit/), Runkeeper (http://www.runkeeper.com/), MyTrack (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.maps.mytracks&hl=en), GPS Essentials (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mictale.gpsessentials&hl=en)

***PLEASE READ ENTIRELY----IMPORTANT ---*** Check DUPR rating before registering. NOTE: If there are enough players on the waitlist I will try to open up another court. Players may be mixed levels. Depending on DUPR levels I may separate beginners from intermediates. This event will be played at PICKLEPLEX in Oakville, is a DUPR RATED EVENT and will run weekly until Aug 26. **Check your DUPR level before you RSVP to ensure you are in the right play level.** This is your chance to play in a beautiful state of the art facility. ➡️You must have at least $100 per player in your PB funds account **at all times in order to play and you must top up your funds account monthly.** ➡️Payment must be received immediately after you RSVP. ➡️If you RSVP to multiple events you must submit all the payments in one lump sum. ➡️If you have not already, here is the link to create an account on the DUPR website and then download the DUPR app: [[https://dashboard.dupr.com/dashboard/browse/clubs/8087557239](https://dashboard.dupr.com/dashboard/browse/clubs/8087557239) ](https://dashboard.dupr.com/dashboard/browse/clubs/8087557239) **MATCH RULES:** 1\. Play to 11 win by 2\. Rotate\. 2\. Email your scores to Rose at: wgtapickleball@gmail\.com **To jump in:** **1**. If you have not done so already, complete the WGTA Pickleball waiver, complete once, covers you for all our events, here is the link: [CLICK HERE](https://forms.gle/JQrg6v2hAphJZXAb9) 2\. E\-transfer event fee\(s\) to\-\-\>wgtapickleball@gmail\.com In the memo section of e-transfer include your first, last name and what payment is for... EG: Tom Cruise - Wed's at PICKLEPLEX 6pm ⚠️Minimum 72hrs notice to cancel your RSVP, otherwise you will be charged. ⚠️No refunds. **Bring your own paddles. BRING LEAKPROOF WATERBOTTLE. Wear good court shoes. Stretch before you play.** ℹ️ For more information about our club, check out our [WEBSITE](https://wgtapbclub.com/) ***Email or txt me if you have any questions or issues:*** *-->[[wgtapickleball@gmail.com](mailto:wgtapickleball@gmail.com)]([mailto:wgtapickleball@gmail.com](http://mailto:wgtapickleball@gmail.com/)) or text me at-->>289.434.1922* See you on the court! Rose.

**Calm Beltline Trail Walk: Caledonia Station to Davisville Station** Join us for a relaxed, no-pressure walk along Toronto’s Beltline Trail, from **Caledonia Station to Davisville Station**. This route follows part of the old **Toronto Belt Line Railway**, a former rail corridor that once looped around midtown Toronto. Today, much of that railway space has been turned into a peaceful linear trail, connecting neighbourhoods through tree-lined paths, quiet residential areas, bridges, and green spaces. The Kay Gardner section of the Beltline is especially meaningful because local advocates helped protect the old rail corridor from private development and turn it into a public trail and park. We’ll start near **Caledonia Station** and walk east along the York Beltline and Kay Gardner Beltline Trail toward **Davisville Station**. The route is mostly flat and follows a calm, easy-to-navigate path. It’s a nice mix of city and nature: trees, open trail sections, quiet crossings, and little reminders of the railway history along the way. As always, this is a low-pressure walk. You’re welcome to chat, walk quietly, or move between the two. There are no icebreakers, no networking, and no expectation to socialize in any particular way. Just showing up and being present is enough. **Date:** Sunday, May 31, 2026 **Time:** 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM **Meeting point:** Caledonia Station Main Entrance ([The Eglinton Ave West Exit](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NYVTYdDcK7sxHDiC6)) **End point:** Davisville Station **Route:** Caledonia LRT Station to Davisville Station via the Beltline Trail ([https://maps.app.goo.gl/z41TLM6DjPvMVcTP7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z41TLM6DjPvMVcTP7)) **Distance:** About 7.5 km **Pace:** Comfortable walking pace, with short pauses as needed Please arrive a few minutes early so we can start walking at **2:30 PM**. ### What to wear Wear comfortable shoes suitable for a longer city trail walk. The route is mostly flat, but we’ll still be walking for around an hour and a half, so comfort matters more than style. We’ll finish near **Davisville Station**, so it will be easy to head home by TTC afterward. Looking forward to a calm Sunday walk together.

We will meet at Yonge & Davisville and hike a portion of Beltline Trail. We will go down the trail and loop back to the starting point. It will take roughly 2 to 3 hours (easy trail). Attending this event will be a good opportunity to enjoy the beautiful beltline trail, socialize with other professionals, find new friends and meet the old ones! If you are planning to join: 1- You need to be fully vaccinated. 2- Please do not attend if you have any symptoms such as fever, cough, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis,headache, etc. 3- It is an easy hike; however, make sure that you have a proper hiking footware. 4- Disclaimer: You agree when you join this event with Borna that you have read and understand the below. If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. By attending any event with Borna you understand that you are attending AT YOUR OWN RISK. Organizers of this group are not hike leaders on these hikes, you are your own leader. This is not a for-profit organization. However, the organizer pays $600 annual fee to keep the meetup group going. Going forward we will kindly ask attendees to pay $3 to help organizer cover the cost. Please e-transfer $3 to following email address: bornameetup@gmail.com

Leading up to [Toronto Climate Week](https://www.tocw.ca/), join us on a relaxed waterfront bike ride of Toronto's west end into the edge of Mississauga to explore [Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area](https://trca.ca/conservation/infrastructure-projects/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/), the new 26 hectare waterfront park in the Greater Toronto Area that opens on May 30th, "after more than a decade of planning, collaboration and community vision". 9:30am meet on the Humber Bay Bridge 9:45am depart on group ride 10:00-10:10am group gathers at western edge of Colonel Sam Smith Park 10:30am arrival at Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area 10:30-11:15am group and individual exploration of Conservation Area 11:30 return group ride 12:00pm arrival back at Humber Bay Bridge 12:00-1:00pm optional social (food, drinks, ice cream) on Marine Parade Drive Cycling distance: approximtely 25km (10.7km in each direction plus a small distance within Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area) Terrain: paved multi-use trail, residential roads, and hard-packed gravel trail Suitable bikes: city, commuter, hybrid, gravel, MTB, and road with thicker tires Helmet: highly recommended! Bring: a bike in working order, plenty of water, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, and good vibes! Event info: [https://cvc.ca/conversations/grand-opening-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/](https://cvc.ca/conversations/grand-opening-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/) [https://cvc.ca/discover-the-new-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/](https://cvc.ca/discover-the-new-jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/) Project info: [https://trca.ca/conservation/infrastructure-projects/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/](https://trca.ca/conservation/infrastructure-projects/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area/) News coverage: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area-mississauga-9.7191853](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jim-tovey-lakeview-conservation-area-mississauga-9.7191853) [https://www.insauga.com/heres-when-huge-new-conservation-area-opens-to-the-public-in-mississauga/](https://www.insauga.com/heres-when-huge-new-conservation-area-opens-to-the-public-in-mississauga/) Toronto Climate Week: https://www.tocw.ca/ Green Exercise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_exercise

🏡🌿 **THE BRIDLE PATH (DRAKE’S MANSION) & EDWARDS GARDENS WALK** 🌿🏡 Luxury Streets, Hidden Trails & A Garden Escape Some parts of Toronto feel like a completely different world — and this walk takes you right through them. Join us for a social walk through The Bridle Path, one of the most exclusive and wealthiest neighbourhoods in the city — known for its massive estates, gated homes, and quiet, tree-lined streets. This is where celebrities and icons have lived, including Drake and the late Gordon Lightfoot. It’s the kind of area where the houses don’t just impress — they *shock*. From there, we’ll shift into nature and make our way toward Edwards Gardens, where things slow down with flowers, pathways, and a peaceful break in the middle of the walk. This is not a formal tour. It’s a social walk — a mix of city curiosity, nature, and good conversation. 📲 **Join Our WhatsApp Group:**[ Click here to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRFTkxRlHS4B3IL1lMleUd) \*\*\* **🚶‍♂️ What We’ll Do** We’ll begin in the Bridle Path area, walking through the neighbourhood to take in some of the largest and most impressive homes in Toronto. From there, we’ll head toward Edwards Gardens, where we’ll take about a 30-minute break to relax, explore, and enjoy the flowers. After the break, we’ll continue along parts of the Don River trail, finishing near Eglinton & Don Mills. For those who want, we can grab something casual afterward at Tim Hortons or McDonald's. ☕🍔 You’re welcome to join or head out whenever you like. \*\*\* **🌦️ Weather & Expectations** This walk happens rain or shine. Please come prepared for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. The route is moderate and includes a mix of neighbourhood streets and park trails. Also — this is NOT a guided or historical tour. I’ll share bits of context casually, but the focus is on being social and enjoying the walk. \*\*\* 🧢 Meetup Details 📍 Meetup Location: Par king lot near Bayview Ave (exact spot easy to find on arrival) 🫎 I’ll be wearing my Moose Hat ⏰ Meetup Time: 11:00 AM I will only wait 5 minutes. Early is on time. On time is late. We’ll begin promptly. **End Point:** Near Eglinton & Don Mills (not returning to start) \*\*\* 🎟️ Meetup Fee: $5 cash in person or e-transfer to 📧 \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) This helps support the group and allows us to keep hosting events like this. Thank you for supporting community! 💖 \*\*\* 🎒 **What to Bring** Water Good walking shoes A small snack Weather-appropriate clothing Please also use the washroom before arriving, as stops are limited. \*\*\* 🌈 **Who Is This For?** This group is open to anyone who wants to be social and make friends — whether single or not. **We also host:** 🎬 Movies 🚶 Walks & hikes 🎭 Arts & culture outings 🍽️ Restaurant gatherings There’s always something happening. \*\*\* **REMEMBER:** You’re welcome to just show up on the day if you’re unsure about your schedule. And as always, sometimes plans shift and events may need to be canceled — please keep an eye on updates. \*\*\* 👤 Organizer: Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email 📧 [torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com](mailto:torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com) Come for the mansions. Stay for the gardens. Leave feeling like you saw two completely different sides of Toronto — in one walk. 🏡✨

Hello everyone, Join us for a relaxed and fun photography meetup at Tommy Thompson Park 📸🌿 With warmer weather finally here, it’s the perfect time to grab your camera, get outside, and connect with fellow photography enthusiasts. We’ll meet at the ***Tommy Thompson Park Pavilion*** at **1:00 PM**, then explore the trails together at an easy pace. Along the way, we’ll stop for photos, take breaks, and enjoy the scenery. This meetup is open to everyone, whether you're a beginner or just love taking photos for fun. **What to bring:** * Camera or smartphone * Comfortable walking shoes * Positive energy and curiosity The plan is to walk toward the end of the park, where the lighthouse is. There is a great view of Toronto’s skyline, perfect for capturing some stunning shots together. For details on directions, park guidelines, and rules, please check: [https://tommythompsonpark.ca/visitor-information/](https://tommythompsonpark.ca/visitor-information/) We hope you can join us for this exciting meetup! **Note:** If the weather doesn’t cooperate (rain, etc.), the meetup may be rescheduled or cancelled. Updates will be shared if anything changes.

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

**TBA**

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**TBA**

**PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT NOTES:** 1. The dates for this series are simply placeholders at the moment. We are working on our 2026 schedule, and adjustments are forthcoming. 2. Each class in this series has an attendance fee. 3. Each class from BOTH a sign-up and fee perspective is a separate entity. **Introduction:** Our Page Building with Bricks web development class provides detailed instruction for using Bricks Builder, a visual site builder for WordPress, to create and manage websites. Widely considered by many of the world's leading web developers to be the most complete page builder on the market today, Bricks Builder offers a wide range of features and comprehensive tools. Our Bricks Builder web development class provides detailed instructions on utilizing the toolset. The series of courses covers the core features of Bricks Builder, enabling users to design and develop responsive, visually appealing websites. Moreover, the courses are oriented to reinforce a focus on professional, scalable web development. Throughout the series, we focus our page-building instruction on the semantic and structural integrity of the pages in a responsive world. By the end of the 10-class series, participants will have a fundamental understanding of proper web page and website development. **The breakdown of the 10-class series is as follows:** * Class 01 - Survey of Page Builders / What Bricksbuilder Does For You * Class 02 - Boxes, Boxes, Boxes / Sections / Containers * Class 03 - Static Units / Relative Units / Responsive Development And Math Functions * Class 04 - CSS Variables And DRY Development / Classes And Global Styling * Class 05 - CSS Grid And CSS Flexbox * Class 06 - Responsive Development / Breakpoints And Media Queries * Class 07 - Effective Use Of Color / Effective Use Of Images * Class 08 - Beginning To Think Dynamically / Using Templates And Components * Class 09 - Dynamic Styling / Data Attributes And Attribute Selectors * Class 10 - Pseudo Elements / Programmatically Styling With Pseudo Classes Throughout the class sessions listed above, we cover the following key areas of web development with Bricks Builder: * **Introduction to Bricks Builder Interface:** * Familiarization with the builder's layout, including the toolbar, panel, and canvas, and understanding how to navigate and interact with its various components. * **Visual Site Building:** * Techniques for creating layouts using Bricks' drag-and-drop interface, incorporating sections, rows, columns, and elements to build page structures. * **Styling and Design:** * Utilizing Bricks' styling options to customize elements, apply global CSS classes for consistent design, and leverage features like Flexbox and CSS Grid for responsive layouts. * **Dynamic Content and Custom Fields:** * Integrating dynamic content from custom post types and custom field plugins (like ACF, Meta Box) to build data-driven websites. * **Template Building:** * Creating and managing reusable templates for headers, footers, post type layouts, and other site-wide elements. * **Performance Optimization:** * Understanding how Bricks Builder contributes to fast-loading websites and implementing performance best practices. * **Advanced Features:** * Depending on the class level, it might delve into advanced topics such as conditional logic, interactions, and custom code integration to enable more complex functionality. The series aims to equip participants with the skills to efficiently build, customize, and maintain WordPress websites using Bricks Builder, catering to both beginners and experienced web developers.

**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.