One of my first "magazine rip-outs," almost twenty years ago, was an article about this park! I was fascinated by the idea and the visual stayed with me. Through the years, I asked anyone I met from Columbus if they knew the park. It definitely fell into the "little know facts" about Columbus category and made quite an impression!!! Several years ago,I went to Columbus for a wedding and of course, insisted that the park be our first stop!!! It exceeded my expectations....I was totally enthralled by it. I have been back several times since and always recommend visiting the park to anyone I know who is going to Columbus. Imagine accessorizing an entire park!!!
The concept of an interpretation of Seurat's painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Ile de la Grand Jatte" into a topiary garden came from local sculptor James T. Mason. The park, created on the land where previously there had been a school for the deaf, was begun in 1988 and dedicated in 1992. It is the only garden of it's kind that combines horniculture and sculpture. The topiary garden, on seven acres, is formed by yews, the tallest being 12'. There are 54 figures, 8 boats, 3 dogs, a monkey and a cat. A painting come to life!!!
It is quite simply...."a landscape of a painting of a landscape."
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