Schiller Park is the second oldest park in the City of Columbus, runner-up to only Goodale Park, established in 1857. Schiller Park was obtained in April 1867 for $15,000. Originally called Stewart’s Grove by the early settlers, the city bought these 23.5 acres in 1867, and Stewart’s Grove became City Park. In 1891, it was renamed Schiller park after the famous German poet, Friedrich von Schiller. An impressive statue of Schiller decorates the center of the park.

During World War I, American sentiment turned against all things German and Schiller Park was renamed as Washington Park. Several of the German Street names in the area also were changed. After the war, the park’s name was changed back to Schiller, although most of the streets did not revert to their pre-war names (German Village Society, 1992).

The park is now a well-kept central location of German Village life. The community center, picnic areas, softball diamonds, fishing pond, and stage for the Actor’s Summer Theater, not to mention the beautifully landscaped gardens, make Schiller Park the jewel of German Village.