Near East Side (Columbus, Ohio)

Bryden Road was established as a Historic District in 1977-78.[13] It was initially met with apprehension, for fear of certain historical aspects being erased from the area.[14] The Bryden Road Historic District is subject to architectural review by the City of Columbus Historic Resources Commission. Bryden Road was renamed in order to thwart the expansion of the streetcar through the neighborhood; on one side it is Town Street and on the other side of Parsons Ave it is Bryden Road. The Bryden Road Historic District runs east-west through both the Franklin Park and Olde Towne East neighborhoods. The area once was referred to as the "Silk Stocking District" because of the display of prosperity and opulence. More than 50 architectural styles can be found along Bryden Road, including French, German and Renaissance influence.[15]

The East Broad Street Historic District is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It includes the section of East Broad Street from Ohio Avenue on the west to Monypenny Street on the east.

St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church is a historic landmark in Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon lies within the historic Near East Side community. It borders interstates 71 and 670. Its main thoroughfares, Mount Vernon Avenue, East Long Street, Atcheson Street, and Champion Avenue define the community's limits. It is a part of the Bronzeville area and had a strong African American and Jewish community.[16]

Developed in 1916, the Eastgate neighborhood includes Nelson Park, Eastgate Elementary School, and the intersection of East Broad Street and Nelson Road. It is commonly referred to as both Eastgate and Nelson Park[17]

Eastwood Heights is bordered by Taylor Ave on the east, East Broad Street on the South, Hawthorne Ave on the north and Hughes St. on the west.[18]

This neighborhood is bounded by East Broad Street to the north, East Main Street to the south, and Wilson Avenue to the west.

The Alum Creek tributary separates the Franklin Park neighborhood from the City of Bexley and the area originally known as the "Wolfe Addition to Franklin Park," which is known in modern times as the Wolfe Park neighborhood. The Holtzman Main business district along the west bank of Alum Creek within the Franklin Park neighborhood.

Franklin Park is surrounded on the north by the other Near East neighborhoods of Eastgate, Nelson Park, Woodland Park, Eastwood Heights, and Bronzeville/King-Lincoln.

To the south are Hanford Village, Driving Park, and Old Oaks, which are both considered to be Columbus' Near South.

Olde Towne East is another Near East neighborhood that is situated between the Discovery and Market Districts of downtown Columbus and the Franklin Park neighborhood.

House in Hamilton Park.

This historic neighborhood is located along Hamilton Park Avenue, between East Broad and East Long streets. The area was one of four residential areas built around "park-like boulevards." Due to the construction of the interstate, only 3 remain. The area was predominantly African American and was attractive to certain groups because of the area's proximity to the railroad tracks, which provided transportation and work. The area features unique architectural elements such as conical turrets, ironic columns, frieze windows, projecting bays, contrasting stone trim and tall chimneys...[19]

Hanford Village has been placed on the national Register of Historic Places. Founded as village in 1909 and annexed by Columbus in 1955. It was marketed to African American veterans, but much of the neighborhood was wiped out in the 1960s when I-70 was constructed.[20]

The area is located between Nelson Road and the west bank of the Alum Creek tributary within the Franklin Park Neighborhood. It is an old industrial district, which has plain buildings, lacks landscaping, and has narrow streets and alleys. The area is mainly commercial with businesses that include day care centers, a social service agency, catalog distribution, automotive repair services, car washes, a fuel center, and fast food and grocery. The Northern boundary of the area is Clowsen Field, Capital University's baseball diamond. A revitalization plan exists with recommendations to make aesthetic improvements and utilize the area as a gateway into the Franklin Park neighborhood and Near East. [21]

[22]

Just east of Downtown Columbus, this area is bordered by the Mount Vernon neighborhood and Atcheson Street on the north, North 20th Street on the east, Olde Towne East and East Broad Street on the south, and Interstate 71 on the west. The area was at one time much larger, including parts of what is now the Discovery District. The creation of I-71 significantly cut the area off from Downtown, causing socioeconomic decline and the growth of crime and violence. The neighborhood has become the focus of the city's revitalization efforts which include renovation of the historic Lincoln Theatre, construction of new condos and expansion of retail space along Mt. Vernon Avenue and East Long Street, which hosts the annual Long Street Tour cycling event.

Old Oaks is a historic street car neighborhood which started its growth when streetcar service became electrified in 1891. The area was designated a historic neighborhood in 1986.[23]

A mansion in Olde Towne East.

Olde Towne East is a neighborhood located in the historical Near East Side. It is one of Columbus' largest and oldest neighborhoods. Nestled between Downtown, Bexley, Old Oaks and Driving Park. The area has over 1,000 homes, some as old as the 1830s, and more than 50 architectural styles including Italianate, Queen Anne and Victorian.

South of Main is a neighborhood located in the Near East Side. It is bounded by Main Street to the north, Interstate 70 to the south, Alum Creek to the east and Wilson Avenue to the west.

This is the area bordered by Maryland Avenue to the north, Nelson Road to the east, East Broad Street to the south, and Taylor Avenue to the west. According to the Woodland Park Neighborhood Association website: "The neighborhood is home to an eclectic mixture of exquisite architecture including Colonial, Federal, Arts and Crafts, Victorian, Tudor, Mission, Dutch Colonial, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival, Georgian Colonial, French Eclectic, American Foursquare and Cape Cod. The neighborhood is composed of homes, town-homes and apartments ranging in size from massive mansions to bungalows and from penthouses to studio apartments. This diverse mixture of homes makes Woodland Park a comfortable, affordable and attractive neighborhood to live in."

Located on South Nelson Rd and adjacent to Wolf Park, Academy Park features for-lease baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, a trail head, open green space, and Clowson Field. An indoor recreation center is located in the northern area of the park, which provides space for indoor athletic activities.[26]

Located on North Ohio Ave, Beatty Park features an indoor recreation center, outdoor playground equipment, basketball courts, well-lit tennis courts, and green space for family friendly activities.[27]

Located on Carpenter Street, this park features a sprayground,[28] basketball courts, green space, tennis courts, playground equipment, an indoor recreation center, and picnic space for families.[29]

English Park was so named as it was the site of the home of the English family, and is now home to the Kwanzaa Playground that was developed in 1995 as a joint effort between the community and the City of Columbus. Seven local artists and sculptors contributed the design and construction. The park has a human-like shape representing mankind's first ancestor. The playground underwent renovation by the Columbus Division of Parks and Recreation at a cost exceeding $300,000. The park focuses on positive African-American imagery to embrace the concept that "It takes a whole village to raise a child."[30] [31]

Franklin Park Conservatory.

The Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden and conservatory located in Columbus, Ohio. It is open daily and an admission fee is charged. Originally built in 1895, the Conservatory is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is a horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and Dale Chihuly artworks.

Located on Alum Creek Drive, this small community park features basketball courts, a playground, and picnic and green space for family friendly activities.[32]

Located on Linwood Ave, this park is a "pocket park" which features a paved path and benches. The park is maintained by the community.[33]

Located on E Main St, this park was formerly named Main-Alum Park. This park is the site of a water pumping station for Columbus, and is maintained by Bexley. It is also the former site of the Norwood Amusement Park. The park features open-air shelters, greenway trail access, and athletic fields/green space for family friendly activities.[34]

Located on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, features the Amos Lynch Plaza, which is utilized by the King Arts Complex, and is leased by the Garfield School. It is used by the community for gatherings, activities and celebrations. The park also features a gazebo named the Beatty Pavilion. The park has a playground, green space, and picnic space for family friendly activities. [35]

Located on Nelson Rd, this park was given to the City of Columbus in memory of David Nelson in 1911. It is approximately 30 acres and features athletic fields, basketball courts, greenway trail access, picnic space, a playground, a shelter space, and well lit walking trails and woods/wildlife areas. [36]

Located on Atcheson St, this park was formerly named Maryland Park, which opened in 1921. The first public swimming pool was built here in 1929 thanks to donations from The Columbus Dispatch. The park was dedicated to "Eddie" Saunders, a local African American radio personality, in 1989 and thusly renamed. The park is 14.5 acres and features athletic fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, picnic space, a playground, and swimming pools.[37][38]

Located on Atcheson Street, this park features a community center for children and elderly for family friendly activities. It also features picnic space, tennis courts, and a walking trail.[39]