Rules and Policies

Feel Free...

Park Guidelines prohibit...

• To visit the park during the hours posted (7 a.m. – 11 p.m.).
• To use open areas, including the lawn, during open park hours unless a space is reserved for a private event or maintenance.
• To enjoy the gardens without entering flowerbeds or picking flowers.
• To use a park chair or one seat on a bench designed for sharing.
• To clean up after yourself by depositing waste in the trash receptacles.
• To bring your pet, providing that you leash it, clean up after it, and supervise it at all times.

License Needed For...

• Tents or temporary structures, performances, vendors or commercial activity, amplified music, use of the park's electrical outlets, alcohol use, posting of signs, motorized vehicles, events, organized sporting events, rallies, and professional/commercial photo shoots.

• Weapons of any kind, with the exception of law enforcement officers and subject to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2923.*
• Illegal activities, destroying or defacing park property, wearing cleats, picking flowers, metal detectors, fireworks, sleeping, panhandling, skateboarding, feeding pigeons, fires, wading, swimming, camping, littering, golf, gambling, and remote-control or motorized toys or vehicles, including aerial drones.
• Sitting, standing, jumping or climbing on balustrades, fencing, planters, plinths, and any other park structure not designed for such uses.
• Smoking, including electronic cigarettes.
• Rummaging in trash receptacles.
• Storage of personal belongings; unattended belongings will be discarded.
• Obstructing park entrances.
• Use of plastic tarps on the lawn.
• Harassing or disturbing other park visitors.
• Unaccompanied children; children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Soliciting

* Downtown Columbus, Inc. has received inquiries regarding its prohibition of firearms in Columbus Commons. Downtown Columbus, Inc. is a private entity, and therefore it has the right under Ohio’s concealed-carry statute to prohibit firearms on its property. (Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.126(C)(3)(a)).

All personal belongings are subject to search. 

Downtown Columbus Inc. strives to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors to Columbus Commons. To further those objectives, Downtown Columbus, Inc. has security personnel at the park during hours the park is open to the public.

A permit and rental fee are required for any commercial or professional photoshoots, or any photoshoot involving extensive photography equipment.

For more information about Ohio’s concealed carry statute, please visit their website.

Photography Policy

We encourage the community to take personal photographs at Columbus Commons. Commercial, professional, media, portrait and wedding photography require prior approval from Columbus Commons management and fees may apply.

Patrons are also encouraged to share their photos on social media using #columbuscommons. Please note, if your photo shoot disturbs other park visitors or involves extensive photography equipment, you may be asked to stop taking photos. Photography is prohibited during scheduled fitness classes unless granted permission in writing from Columbus Commons management.

Commercial, professional, media, portrait and wedding photography require prior approval from Columbus Commons management and fees may apply. To request a photo shoot, complete this form and you will be contacted by Columbus Commons management. For more information about the photography policy at Columbus Commons, click here.

Columbus Commons staff and the media frequently take photos/videos of visitors, which may be used by Columbus Commons and/or its designees in future promotional materials in any media (such as websites, brochures, flyers, blogs, and social media sites). If you are photographed, the photo may be used without your prior consent and without compensation. If you do not want your image used, please avoid the photographer or inform them that you do not wish to be photographed.