McFerson Commons
McFerson Commons | |
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Website | columbus.gov/McFerson-Commons-Park |
McFerson Commons, originally Arena Park, is a 2.2-acre (0.9 ha) park in Columbus, Ohio's Arena District neighborhood. The focal point of the park is the Union Station arch, salvaged before the demolition of Columbus's Union Station.
The park was created around 1999 after demolition of the Ohio Penitentiary, as a recreation area for residents of the surrounding Arena District. In 1999, the park was named for Dimon R. McFerson and the Union Station arch was installed in its current location. The park now hosts annual events, family sports, and other gatherings.
Attributes and history
The park was developed by
McFerson Commons neighbors Nationwide Arena and North Bank Park. The park's open lawn space is used for family sports and events.[3]
Events hosted in the park include:[1]
- Arena District Kickball League games, on weekday evenings beginning in August
- Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park, an NHL-sized ice rink operating for a month each winter
- Opening ceremonies and starting line for the Pelotonia annual biking event
- Viewing of the Red, White & Boom! fireworks display
- 5Ks and other races including the PetPromise Rescue Run, Columbus Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K and Bull Run
- Flag football games
- Weddings
Union Station arch
The park, sometimes known as Arch Park, has an old Beaux Arts arch as its central focal point. The arch was part of Columbus's Union Station, designed by Daniel Burnham in 1893, but demolished from 1976 to 1979 to make way for the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The arch, the only remaining portion of the station, was moved to the park.[3]
The arch was originally the northern of two identical grand archways in the colonnade leading to the station. The southern archway was demolished along with a third of the colonnade in 1928.
The arch was moved from its original site during demolition, which began at 6 pm on Friday, October 22, 1976.
See also
References
- ^ a b "McFerson Commons". Scioto Mile. Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ "Sneak Peak at Arena Has Many Fans Raving." Columbus Dispatch, The (OH), Home Final ed., sec. NEWS, 9 Sept. 2000, p. 01A. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/10DCF24B35C57120. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
- ^ a b "McFerson Commons". City of Columbus. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "National Register of Historic Places - Nomination Form: Union Station Entrance". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 17, 1974. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ Foster, Emily (Mar 4, 2019) [First published November 1988]. "From the Archives: Columbus' First Family of Destruction". Columbus Monthly. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ "Arch Park Dedicated". Columbus Dispatch, HOME FINAL ed., 7 June 1980, p. 19. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1467499E363272B3%40EANX-NB-167798B14672FD3E%402444398-1677947246236CEA%4018-1677947246236CEA%40. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
- ^ Wright, Steve. "HUGE ARCH CREEPS TOWARD NEW HOME." Columbus Dispatch, The (OH), Home Final ed., sec. NEWS, 26 Mar. 1999, p. 03C. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/10DD3EF51CBFB5F0. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.
- ^ "TIME TO RESTORE ARCH TO ITS PREVIOUS GLORY." Columbus Dispatch, The (OH), Home Final ed., sec. EDITORIAL & COMMENT, 21 Jan. 2005, p. 10A. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/10E370C45D8E77A0. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.