Franklin Park Conservatory is an interesting place. The main facility is segmented in “biomes” that include the following: Himalayan Mountain, Rain-forest, Desert, and a Pacific Island Water Garden. In addition, there are orchids, bonsai, a palm room, and lots of flowering plants of all types.
I can’t help but feel that the people who could benefit the most from visiting the conservatory, inner city poor kids, will most likely never see the beautiful exhibits because they cannot afford the price of admission. It saddens me because when my son was a little guy, the place was FREE. We went there many times and I took pictures.
As a result of visiting the Columbus Metro Parks, Franklin Park Conservatory, and places like Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills, Ohio, my son has a love of the outdoors. He is conservation-minded and loves various flora and fauna to this day.
The Columbus Zoo is a lot more expensive than it was when my son was a toddler, too. Now, THAT, I completely understand. The cost of care for the animals, upkeep of the grounds, and INSURANCE liability is incredibly high. My wife and I can spend a day at the Columbus Zoo for about what it would cost us to visit Franklin Park Conservatory and the zoo has a lot more to see and do. If given the choice, the zoo wins, hands down.
What bothers me most about the costs of family entertainment these days is that even educational places, like the conservatory and the zoo are not affordable for the people who would benefit from them the most. If poor families cannot afford to visit those sorts of attractions it is unlikely that their kids will ever develop an appreciation for trees, wildlife, and endangered species in particular. Not to mention they will likely never think about career opportunities in science or the wildlife and conservation industries.
This reminds me of the Sierra Club’s efforts to ban hikers in certain wildlife areas and national parks because lug-soled boots were “damaging” hiking trails within the parks. Take away the ability for people to enjoy those parks and nature preserves and they will never grow to understand the importance of conservation and preservation of wildlife. They will not think about the effects of clear-cutting forests along natal streams of salmonids in the Pacific Northwest, or the loss of vulnerable species like the spotted owl. They will not care about the harvest of elephants for their ivory tusks and rhinos for their horns.
Access to conservatories and wildlife areas should be open and affordable for the sake of future generations.
Here is the main building at Franklin Park Conservatory, if you’ve never seen it. If you want to visit, prepare to spend about $30 for two adults and about $7 per child.
 |
| Franklin Park Conservatory Main Building |
