Scioto Mile Fountain reopening date announced

Stephanie Thompson
·2 min read

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus icon is set to reopen bringing back free summer fun and relief from the heat for families.

In a news release, Columbus Recreation and Parks announced Scioto Mile Fountain will open on Memorial Day this year. Three family-friendly events have been planned to celebrate the return of this Bicentennial Park gem.

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• Friday, May 24, noon
Ribbon Cutting: Join Council President Shannon G. Hardin and Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita A. Reese to open the fountain.

• Friday, May 24, noon – 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fountain Fest: Enjoy live music, food trucks, free ice cream (while supplies last), a collaborative street mural, temporary glitter tattoos, caricature artists, yard games and more. Produced by Downtown Columbus, Inc.

• Friday, May 24, 5:30 p.m.
Bicentennial Park Summer Concert: Enjoy musical acts DJ Citizen Dorian S. and The Deeptones, presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

  • Scioto Mile Fountain - Kids Playing
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)
  • Scioto Mile Fountain - Kids Playing 2
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)
  • No file chosen Info Scioto Mile Fountain - Night
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)
  • Scioto Mile Fountain - seating
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)
  • Scioto Mile Fountain - Birds Eye
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)
  • Scioto Mile Fountain - Winter
    Scioto Mile Fountain Renderings (Courtesy Downtown Columbus, Inc.)

“The Scioto Mile Fountain invites families from across our city to spend a summer afternoon
Downtown,” Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said. “This free amenity is accessible to all Columbus
residents, and we’re excited for the fountain to reach its highest level of performance,
functionality and fun for all visitors!”

First opened in 2011, the Scioto Mile Fountain became a “Downtown focal point” and served nearly a quarter of a million visitors annually, according to Recreation and Parks.

In May 2023 the fountain went under construction with a $15 million redesign, funded by
a partnership between Columbus Recreation and Parks and the Scioto Mile Endowment.

Numerous upgrades include:

• Enhancements to the stainless steel halo structures’ fog nozzles and super shooters, jets that can shoot water 100 feet into the air, adding visual and interactive appeal, including a system that will engage and interact with visitors.

• A sprite area with 344 fountain sprites lit by self-contained LED lights.

• Increased seating and shaded areas and space for food trucks and carts, offering reprieve and refreshment to Downtown visitors.

• Sculptural light elements with vibrant, constantly changing colors featuring dynamic light shows in the cold-weather season, making the Scioto Mile Fountain a year-round destination.

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After the Memorial Day event, the fountain will continue to welcome visitors to enjoy its water features every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2. Noninteractive water and light shows will begin on Sept. 3, 2024. Enjoying the fountain is a free activity.

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