Boardman Arts Park

Across the Smith parking lot, on the other side of S. William Street, there stands a park. However,  this is not an ordinary, everyday park with a play ground, or slides and swings but rather this space broadens the concept of an interactive park. 

Boardman Arts Park embraces difference in combination with something unknown. Calling itself ‘Central Ohio’s Quirkiest Park,’ it truly lives up to the name. All beginning in 2017, the space has been transformed from an unused green lot to a one-of-a kind interactive art park.

 Stretching across 2.2 acres, the park features walking paths, a large concrete stage, canopies, a central area with hammocks and most importantly, the art pieces. Ranging from paintings and handmade fairy homes to musical instruments and character figures made out of old metal parts, along with so much more. 

The art is diverse, yet the artists behind these designs are even more so. Students and adults of all ages have contributed their own creativity to this concept. The vision was to show that art can be created and made by anyone, and that is exactly what happened.

When the park first opened, members of the non-profit hosted a CREATE! Festival, where all were welcomed to design and make an artistic piece that would be displayed.Not long after the official opening, locals began to donate their own pieces and designs, adding even more diversity to the collection. 

As the park can be explored freely, there is so much that cannot be seen from first glance or walk through. The idea is to explore deeper and find your own concepts that are drawn to the people. If visitors don’t know where to begin, there is a poster on the big center tree that lists activities or concepts to accomplish that allows the people to explore the beauty of the park. For example, ‘find the man named Tom,’ ‘see how fast you can run around the circle,’ ‘stack as many colored rocks that you can find,’ or ‘climb the pole and ring the bell.’  

The main idea behind creating his park was to not only turn the space into something beautiful and different, but also make a scene where the community can gather while engaging with art in an outdoor setting. 

Though the park sits just outside of town, it is placed in the midst of homes and the university, the ideal place where events can occur, including concerts, food festivals, social gatherings, and, on occasion, yoga classes. People and community members even have the opportunity to rent out the entire park to host their own event of their choice. 

Some upcoming events this summer include Brews & Blooms on May 9th to celebrate Mother’s Day, Full Moon Fever concert on May 23rd, Pride Festival on June 9th, Beer, Bourbon, and Wine Festival on September 12th, and lastly Yoga every first Sunday from June to October. 

Boardman Arts Park is meant to be explored by all, where creativity and community can gather all in one place. Visiting on your own time or attending an event allows the development of the park to expand, supporting the idea of art in a unique and different way. Donations are appreciated, but more importantly, members wish for all to notice beauty in its natural state.