North Star Master Plan

After 24 months of community research and visioning with architecture and design experts, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has announced a bold vision for becoming a premier botanical garden destination in the next 25 years. The North Star Master Plan includes more than 15 transformational capital projects.

The Conservatory’s North Star Master Plan will completely transform the visitor experience. The entrance from Broad St. to Franklin Park and the Conservatory will be moved from its current location to the existing traffic light at Woodland Ave. and Broad St. – and visitors to the Conservatory and Franklin Park will  use new centralized underground parking.  

The entrance to the Conservatory’s visitor experience will move from its current location on the east to a central location just west of the John F. Wolfe Palm House and the Conservatory’s Grand Mallway. 

Reorienting the Conservatory in this way celebrates the splendor of the Palm House and creates a synergy between the Conservatory and Franklin Park. Visitors may visit the Conservatory, Franklin Park or both. By linking these experiences together the Conservatory, Columbus Recreation & Parks and the Community have a shared ethos. Centralizing amenities for everyone’s use creates a better experience and supports a safer environment by improving traffic flow from Broad St. and making upgrades to security.

The North Star Master Plan is packed with a mix of new construction and renovation projects. Many of these projects aim toward a gardens-forward, immersive experience. Some projects include:

• John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse – The first priority will focus on the “roots” of the Conservatory and Franklin Park with a full renovation of the John F. Wolfe Palm House and Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. These structures are historical icons of Columbus and need to be preserved for future generations to enjoy and love. 
• New Grand Mallway, North and South Signature Gardens – New, elegant Grand Mallway gardens are planned which will be flanked by new North and South Signature Gardens that will be naturalistic and whimsical.
• New Visitor Center Building with Restaurant and Gift Shop – Moving the entrance to the Conservatory will require a new centralized Visitor Center Building that will be home to the Conservatory’s restaurant, gift shop, an event venue, restrooms, orientation space for visitors and possibly an art gallery. Visitors to Franklin Park can also utilize the amenities offered in the Visitor Center Building. 
• New Centralized Underground Parking and Rooftop Gardens – With the entrance moving to the new Gateway Building, parking for the Conservatory and the park will move to a centralized underground solution. 
• New Biomes – Two new biomes will be added to the east of the main building in the future. One of the new biomes will be home to the Conservatory’s Chihuly collection, the largest collection in a botanical garden. And, the second new biome could house a year round butterfly experience. 
• Modernized Main Building – The current Visitor Center entrance will become a secondary entrance used for school groups, events and staff entry. The building will be renovated as visitor space, office space, classrooms, kid friendly play areas, rooftop gardens and gallery space. 
• Renovated Biomes
• Expanded Greenhouse Operations Complex
• Expansion of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden