Published December 2, 2025
At Franklin Park Conservatory, our mission is to connect people to nature and create life-enhancing experiences. Everyone deserves to enjoy the beauty of nature and feel like they belong at the Conservatory. One way we support this is through our Access Programs, which make visiting our gardens more affordable for everyone in the community. In 2024, one out of every four visitors used an Access Program—that’s roughly 70,000 people! Between Museums for All, Access Memberships, Library Culture Passes, and Community Days, there are many ways to reduce cost barriers. With our collections, engaging programs, and commitment to sharing the wonders of the plant world, there is always something new to experience and learn.
Museums for All (MFA) offers free or reduced-price tickets to individuals who receive SNAP benefits at more than 1,500 museums across the country. In 2024, over 26,000 people visited the Conservatory through Museums for All. Columbus is home to a coalition of MFA-participating organizations you can visit, including Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts, COSI, the National Veterans Memorial Museum, the Ohio Fire Museum, and the Ohio History Center.
Individuals who participate in CareSource, Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, and similar programs are eligible to purchase an Access Family Membership. Membership benefits include free daily admission, discounts on educational classes and programs, reciprocal privileges at more than 300 gardens nationwide, and more. Currently, 1,213 families hold Access Memberships. Compared to MFA tickets, the Access Family Membership is ideal if you plan to visit frequently and participate in educational programs.
At several local libraries, visitors can check out a temporary membership for up to two adults and six children. These Culture Passes include free general admission, half-off admission to special engagements, and 10% off at the Garden Café and Botanica Gift Shop. For a full list of participating libraries, visit our website. In 2024, we saw a 20% increase in Culture Pass visitors, with more than 16,000 people participating. Culture Passes are a great way to experience Columbus arts, sports, museums, and more.
Every first Sunday, general admission is free for Franklin County and City of Columbus residents. These Community Days serve the broader Columbus community, ensuring everyone has access to the gardens, collections, and exhibits. Each Community Day also features a theme that connects visitors with local resources, cultures, arts, music, and more. In 2025, we partnered with more than 117 local businesses, organizations, and artists to celebrate themes such as Local Food & Agriculture, JASCO’s Cherry Blossom Festival, and Community Wellness.
Community Days have grown significantly over the years. Jenny Pope, Director of Community Outreach and Education, helped plant the seed for a free day at the Conservatory. She shared, “The very first Community Day was in June 2018, and we had 914 visitors that day. Community Day was launched to ensure every child in Franklin County had the opportunity to experience the Children’s Garden. We wanted to be accessible and welcome all of Franklin County through the doors, and for the experience to be communal. By hosting special programs, activities, and performances during Community Days, the goal was to engage with diverse communities and showcase local cultures through unique events. Watching a performance or offering a free educational program brings people together. We also wanted to highlight community organizations and provide them with a platform to share the incredible work they do and the resources they can offer to our visitors.” Since then, Community Days have grown tremendously, with more than 30,000 attendees in 2025.
There were many memorable moments during the 2025 Community Days, but here are a few highlights: 4,150 visitors experienced Japanese culture at the JASCO Cherry Blossom Festival; 30 people donated blood at the Community Wellness Fair; 130 people watched The Ohio State University Alumni Band perform for Ohio Day; and Plant the Power’s VegFest was highly successful, educational, and well-attended. Thank you to everyone who joined us in 2025!
Keep an eye out for next year’s Community Day themes:
January 4th: Palm House Party
February 1st: Reading Day
March 1st: Autism & Arts
April 5th: JASCO’s Cherry Blossom Festival
May 3rd: Health & Wellness Fair
June 7th: Sustainable Columbus
July 5th: Yoga in the Garden
August 2nd: Plant the Power’s Vegfest
September 6th: Culture Celebration
October 4th: Service Day
November 1st: Near East Side Celebration
December 6th: Celebrate Winter
