Here in Ohio, we’re fortunate to have so many unique parks. (Be sure to check out this one-of-a-kind metro park where bison roam free.) From state parks to metro parks, there’s always something around the corner to explore in Ohio. Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio is home to several unique features. Here, you can climb an observation tower, walk through a labyrinth and even explore the ruins of an old glass making factory.
The next time you’re in the area, here’s why you’ll want to stop at this one-of-a-kind park:
What was once the site of a factory is now a 250-acre public green space close to downtown Mount Vernon. It’s arguably one of the most unique public parks in the state.
Ariel-Foundation Park/Facebook Address: 10 Pittsburgh Avenue, Mount Vernon, OH, 43050
Ariel-Foundation Park used to be the home of the former Pittsburgh Plate Glass Manufacturing Plant. Today, you can explore partial ruins of the factory at the park.
Ariel-Foundation Park/Facebook The park’s official hours are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. from April 1 - November 15 but several areas of the park are open year-round. Admission to the park is free.
You can observe remains from stair and elevator towers, brick structures and even a smokestack. It’s a fascinating look at a rare piece of history.
arielfoundationpark.org The PPG factory was one of the largest in the world of its kind, once upon a time.
The Rastin Observation Tower was once the glass factory’s industrial smoke stack. It was built in 1951 and is still the tallest structure in Knox County.
Ariel-Foundation Park/Facebook The tower stretches 280 feet high. You can climb a total of 224 steps to reach the 140-ft. high observation deck, where the views of the park and surrounding town are truly captivating.
The Tree of Life Labyrinth (not pictured) is another unique must-see feature of the park. It’s a 1,000-ft. walkway that winds through the park.
Ariel-Foundation Park/Facebook For a map of the park and other information about visiting, click here.
Have you ever been to Ariel-Foundation Park before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!
Ariel-Foundation Park/Facebook
Address: 10 Pittsburgh Avenue, Mount Vernon, OH, 43050
The park’s official hours are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. from April 1 - November 15 but several areas of the park are open year-round. Admission to the park is free.
arielfoundationpark.org
The PPG factory was one of the largest in the world of its kind, once upon a time.
The tower stretches 280 feet high. You can climb a total of 224 steps to reach the 140-ft. high observation deck, where the views of the park and surrounding town are truly captivating.
For a map of the park and other information about visiting, click here.
For more unique parks in Ohio, check out our previous article: Buffalo Roam Free At The 7,000-Acre Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park In Ohio.
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