Genoa Park

{{Infobox park

| name = Genoa Park

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| image = COSI and Franklinton-crop.jpg

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| image_caption = The park wraps around the Scioto River by the COSI science museum

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| map_caption = Interactive map of the park among others on the Scioto Mile

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| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q49493295|region:US-OH_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

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| opened = 1999

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| administrator = Columbus Recreation and Parks Department

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{{bike icon}} CoGo

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| website = {{official website|https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Genoa-Park/}}

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Genoa Park is a {{Convert|2.07|acre|ha|adj=on}} urban park along the west bank of the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio, United States. The park, located between Broad and Rich Streets as part of the Scioto Mile park grouping, is named after Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and one of Columbus' sister cities.{{cite web |title=Genoa Park |url=https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Genoa-Park/ |website=columbus.gov |publisher=City of Columbus, Ohio |accessdate=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073416/https://www.columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/Genoa-Park/ |url-status=live }} It opened in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.sciotomile.com/parks/genoa-park-and-riverfront-amphitheater/|title=Genoa Park and Riverfront Amphitheater|website=The Scioto Mile|publisher=City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226043039/http://www.sciotomile.com/parks/genoa-park-and-riverfront-amphitheater/ |archive-date=2015-12-26}}

History

The park was expanded from 2011 to 2015, along with the parks along the entire Scioto River. The river was stagnant and muddy due to the Main Street Dam, a low head dam built in 1918 to control flooding, but which doubled the width of the river to {{convert|600|ft}}. The dam removal in 2013, along with sediment removal, narrowed the river to {{convert|300|ft}}, giving the city access to {{convert|33|acre}} of previously submerged shoreline. The parks have helped revitalize the city's downtown area.{{cite news|last=Schneider|first=Keith|title=Open Spaces Bring Light to Downtown Columbus|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/realestate/commercial/downtown-columbus-comes-to-life-with-millennial-tower.html|date=May 31, 2016|accessdate=April 23, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211014655/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/01/realestate/commercial/downtown-columbus-comes-to-life-with-millennial-tower.html|url-status=live}}

Attributes

The park follows the curve of the Scioto River on its western bank. The Oval, an open green space, was underwater prior to the Main Street Dam removal in 2013.

The park features an amphitheater and fountains. Public artwork and monuments include Celebration of Life, the Columbus Police Memorial, several works as part of Scioto Lounge, and the statue of Lucas Sullivant.

The river bank features a riparian zone, a natural line of plants along the river, keeping soil from eroding into the water.{{cite news|title=Central Ohio Parks: The Scioto Greenways transforms Downtown Columbus|work=Columbus Monthly|url=https://www.columbusmonthly.com/content/stories/2016/06/central-ohio-parks-the-scioto-greenways-transforms-downtown-columbus.html|date=June 29, 2016|accessdate=April 23, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515193313/https://www.columbusmonthly.com/content/stories/2016/06/central-ohio-parks-the-scioto-greenways-transforms-downtown-columbus.html|url-status=live}}