Goodale Park

Goodale Park is an urban green space with open lawns, two lakes, and walking paths throughout. The grounds include athletic courts and designated recreational areas for various activities.

A doctor named Lincoln Goodale donated land to Columbus in 1851, creating one of the nation's earliest public parks. This gift marked a turning point in how American cities thought about green spaces.

During the Civil War, the space served as a military encampment housing thousands of Union soldiers. The grounds still hold reminders of this period throughout the landscape.

The park is accessible from multiple entry points near main streets and has public transportation stops close by. The grounds are easiest to explore on foot, allowing visitors to wander between the different areas.

Two remarkable old trees stand in the park: a Chinese catalpa and a Smoothleaf elm. These specimens represent some of the finest examples of their kind found anywhere.

Location: Columbus

GPS coordinates: 39.97520,-83.00680

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01