GOODALE PARK HISTORY, 1851-PRESENT

In 1851 Dr. Lincoln Goodale gifted “40 acres more or less” of his property to the city of Columbus with the intention it be used as a pleasure ground by the cities inhabitants. Considered to be Columbus’ oldest developed park, Goodale Park is surrounded by the historic Victorian Village neighborhood and the revitalized Short North Arts District. The park has experienced an extremely diverse and colorful history. It has served as a site of a Civil War camp, a menagerie, revival and temperance meetings, croquet parties, strawberry festivals, and has survived numerous controversies. However, Goodale Park has endured and remains an oasis of tranquility and beauty within one of the most active districts in Columbus.

1851

Dr. Lincoln Goodale sells 40 acres of land to the city for $1, becoming Columbus’ first park

1874 a menagerie is installed in the northern section of the park

1875 the east lake is constructed and filled with water

1890 the west lake is commissioned and will occupy the entire west side of the park

1912 the parks shelter house is constructed and includes a new caretakers residence

1861 Goodale Park is converted into Camp Jackson, a Union Army encampment

1860 a circuitous carriage drive is installed

1888 the bronze bust of Dr. Lincoln Goodale, sculpted by J. Quincy A. Ward, is dedicated as a monument to the parks founder

1907 the Flagg Memorial is installed near the Park Street entrance

1920 boating on the lakes is discontinued and the boathouses are razed

1935

WPA funds are used to refurbish both of the lakes in the park

1950 basketball, tennis courts, and playgrounds are installed in the park

1955 the carriage drive is removed

1973 the east lake is reconstructed and the playgrounds are refurbished

1991

FGP donates the gazebo adjacent to the east lake

2013 Sculpture Falls, created by artist Malcolm Cochran is gifted by FGP

1969 the west lake is drained and filled

1940

Dutch Elm Disease ravishes the elms within the park

1965 the concrete picnic pavilion is constructed

1988

Friends of Goodale Park (FGP) is established and becomes the primary caretaker for the park