The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to announce a diverse range of free events and experiences this summer along the Scioto Mile. Click on the logos below for complete schedules and information:

Click here to download our 2012 Events and Activities brochure and be sure to pick up a copy during your next visit to Bicentennial Park!

Check back again soon! We will be launching our new Jazz & Rib Fest website and announcing our 2012 festival line-up shortly.

THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM SPONSORS:

You know you’ll get your fill of hot ribs and cool jazz at this summer’s Jazz & Rib Fest in downtown Columbus along the riverfront, but this year you’ll also have a chance to see—or be—a colorful character at the event as well! The Color Run is coming to Columbus and will be taking place on Saturday morning during the 33^rd annual Jazz & Rib Fest this July.

The Color Run is a 5K, one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day, as described on TheColorRun.com. Participants of all ages and abilities start with a plain white t-shirt and finish covered in color. Each kilometer of the event is associated with a different color—yellow, blue, green, pink, then a “Color Extravaganza” for the final kilometer.

We hope to see you enjoying hot ribs, cool jazz, and the color run this summer! The run takes place on Saturday, July 21. For more information on the Color Run or to register, visit http://thecolorrun.com/columbus/.

Jazz & Rib Fest returns to the Arena District along the riverfront July 20-22. For more information on Jazz & Rib Fest, visit our website and like us on facebook.

While fitness might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Scioto Mile, it is shaping up to be a popular place for people to get in shape as well. There are 22 runs, walks, and bike rides currently scheduled to take place along the Mile this year. These fitness events represent a variety of causes, organizations, and levels of intensity—the calendar includes everything from the Central Ohio Diabetes Family Fun Walk & Run to the Giant Eagle MultiSport Festival, which includes a triathlon. Also this year the Scioto Mile will serve as the new start line for the Capital City Half Marathon and will be the location for the Inaugural Scioto Mile(s) training series.

The Scioto Mile(s) series “is designed to help any runner or walker gear up for their spring half marathons,” said Jeff Henderson, manager of Fleet Feet Columbus (co-presenter of the series) and head coach for the Marathoner in Training (MIT) program.
Henderson said there is no better way to practice your race day routine than to join in several races throughout your training. The Scioto Mile(s) offer participants a choice between a 5K or 10K on March 31 and a 5K, 10K, or 15K on April 22.

Henderson explained that support is a main focus of the training series. The races are designed to be a “safe, fun environment to practice what you have been training for…we have a phenomenal route with more support than any other race in town.” Amenities include hydration stations, a fully staffed medical team from Ohio Health stationed throughout the course and the at finish line, physical therapists and athletic trainers to help with post-race stretching and Yoga on High facilitating relaxing cool-downs for finishers. Another aspect of support is the actual race course—a 5K loop that those who choose the 10K or 15K distances simply repeat. Henderson explained, “Sure, we could have made separate 5K, 10K, and 15K loops, but when you spread out the course you spread out support. We want to ensure that our participants have plenty of support every step of the way…friends and family will be able to cheer their participants on multiple times throughout the races.”

The Scioto Mile(s) course starts outside COSI, crosses the Scioto River on Broad Street then heads up to North Bank Park, crosses the Scioto again on Souder and heads back to COSI, where participants will either finish at Genoa Park or loop around accordingly. This route gives participants “the best view of the Columbus skyline,” Henderson said.

The combination of great events at a beautiful location draws a lot of people downtown. For example, the response to the Scioto Mile series has been “phenomenal,” Henderson said. “We will have well over 1500 participants in both events.” The Capital City Half Marathon, referred to as “the best tour of Columbus on two feet,” is on pace for its earliest sell-out ever, and will cap its registration field at 13,000 runners and walkers.

Are you participating in the Scioto Mile(s), the Capital City Half Marathon, or any of the many other fitness events along the Mile? Do you like to do your training there? Let us know on our facebook page and be sure to check out the Events Calendar so you don’t miss any of the races, walks, and other special events going on at the Scioto Mile!

Participating in one or more of the fitness events along the Mile? Henderson included some great pointers and guidelines for running in settings such as the Scioto Mile:

• Never work out alone, if possible. Always stay to the right on paths, no more than two abreast.
• Vocalize your intent to pass, then pass on the left.
• Follow the rules of the road/path—this includes following traffic signals. Even when you have the right of way know that most vehicles are not looking for you.
• Make eye contact with cars and passing bikes. This helps increase their awareness of runners on the roads and paths.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Our paths are becoming increasingly utilized, which at times can make them congested and frustrating to navigate. At the end of the day it’s a great thing for Columbus that we are all out there trying to better our lives.

Check out the highlight article on the Scioto Mile Grand Opening and more in the first volume of the quarterly newsletter, which is a great resource for learning about upcoming programs, events and facilities here in our community. With more than 240 parks, 30 recreation centers and 55 miles of multipurpose trails comprising the department, there are numerous opportunities for fun, health and education available here in Columbus and the newsletter is one way to stay informed.

With all the great weather we’ve been enjoying here in central Ohio, construction on the Rich Street Bridge has been streaming along.  Check out this artist rendering of the completed bridge and description from Bridgescape LLC.

The Rich Street Bridge in Columbus, Ohio will replace a deteriorating historic concrete arch with a modern open-rib arch structure. The bridge is one of three crossing the Scioto River in the city’s historic Civic Center. The site is bordered by monumental and historic civic buildings like the Ohio Judicial Building and Columbus’ City Hall, and with contemporary structures like the Central Ohio Science Museum. The bridge will lie between the Discovery Bridge, a five span deck arch completed in the early 1990′s in a traditional style, and the ultra-contemporary Main Street Bridge, a three span bridge with a tilted through arch in the long center span, now under construction. Community leaders asked that the new bridge complement the adjoining bridges and form a “family” of arch bridges while respecting the architectural character of the Civic Center.

The proposed bridge will be a 5-span, 563 foot long structure supported on four lines of concrete arches. The spaces above the four piers are left completely open. The ribs are tapered in accordance with structural needs to minimize their thickness. Observers will be able to see right through the bridge from most angles. The sides of the ribs will be split into two sloped planes. The upper one facing the sky will reflect more light and the bottom one facing the water less, so that the arches will have two facets of different brightness. This will make the ribs appear even thinner. Railings and other architectural details will be modern in style reflecting the design of the Central Ohio Science Institute and other recent buildings in the Civic Center. The bridge will be lighted at night using colors similar to the Discovery and Main Street Bridges.

The bridge will have the span arrangement and general shape of the Discovery bridge while having the open contemporary appearance of the new Main Street bridge, and will share the lighting scheme of both, thereby making the three bridges truly a Family of Bridges, as evident in the nighttime as it is during the day.

Now you can relive the magic and the wonder of the Grand Illumination Ceremony! Remember, it’s not too late to experience this dazzling light show first hand. The lights will twinkle along the Scioto Mile until January 15, 2011.

Did you miss the GRAND ILLUMINATION CEREMONY? Don’t worry… The Lights will continue to twinkle through January 15. Come see the GRAND ILLUMINATION of Bicentennial Park, Scioto Mile Promenade, City Hall and Columbus Commons!

City Hall

In continuation of the City Hall holiday tree tradition, a 20-foot balsam fir, located on the southeast corner of City Hall, has been decorated along with the grounds and building. The balsam fir was planted and dedicated during the 2010 tree lighting ceremony to commemorate the Recreation and Parks Department’s 100th anniversary. Through December 24, children may deliver their special letter to Santa’s Workshop located on the Broad St. Plaza of City Hall.

Scioto Mile

Bicentennial Park, the Scioto Mile Promenade and City Hall feature more than 80,000 L.E.D. lights on over 60 trees showcasing a variety of lighting effects and seasonal decorations. A stunning light show has also been designed for the Scioto Mile Fountain in Bicentennial Park, utilizing the fountain’s more than 16 million color variations.

Lazarus Building

Restoring another longstanding downtown tradition, the Lazarus Building will showcase six holiday display windows along High and Town Street featuring Santa, reindeer, a holiday train and the original Twelve Days of Christmas Lazarus displays.

Columbus Commons

Columbus Commons features more than 100,000 multi-colored lights on 127 trees, four holiday displays, a holiday tree on the Grand Lawn and a 15-foot fountain of light at the High Street entrance. Stop by the Columbus Commons Holiday Fair December 16 – 18 for holiday rides, activities, visits with Santa and tons of family-friendly fun. For more information, visit www.ColumbusCommons.org.

Join Mayor Michael B. Coleman for a celebration of the holiday season and Grand Illumination of Bicentennial Park, the Scioto Mile Promenade, City Hall and Columbus Commons. Enjoy strolling performers, traditional carols and a special appearance by Santa! In the spirit of giving, support the Empty Bowls project by purchasing a piece of handcrafted pottery and receive a bowl of signature mac ‘n cheese compliments of Milestone 229. All proceeds benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Culminate the evening with a holiday lights walking tour led by Mayor Coleman and Santa, departing from Bicentennial Park, strolling along the Promenade and concluding at Columbus Commons. Complimentary hot beverages and holiday sweets will be available along the walking tour!

Visit the Grand Illumination webpage for more information

July 7, 2011 marked the debut of the Scioto Mile and the renovated Bicentennial Park. Stroll along the Promenade, cool off in the fountain, listen to live music, relax on the patio of Milestone 229 and more as you relive the fun and excitement of the Grand Opening!