Gardens at Gantz Farm volunteers Dawn Lewis and Mary McMunn admit they may be biased, but they believe the garden within the Grove City park to be one of the most beautiful and unique places in all of central Ohio. Nestled alongside a restored 19th century farmhouse and a modern-day meditative labyrinth, the winding brick-paved garden path boasts multiple art sculptures and a variety of gardening styles that showcase the horticulture trends of the past, present and future. “It is an unusual garden, one you do not typically see in a city park,” said McMunn. “It is just an absolutely beautiful place to explore.” Wanting the masses to discover the “hidden gem” that is the Gardens at Gantz Farm, volunteers often host events that aim to bring awareness to the splendor of the grounds. One such event took place on June 25. For several hours in the afternoon and evening, dozens of artists with Central Ohio Plein Air traveled to the city park in order to capture its beauty via paint brush, oil pastel, or stencil. While most artists preferred painting portraits of the vibrant garden, others like Upper Arlington resident Justin Collamore wanted to capture the architectural aspects of the park and garden as well. Lewis and McMunn called the event a “great success” that also served as a fitting tribute to the late Alice Sweeley, a long-time volunteer and Gantz Park enthusiast who helped spearhead this art-in-the-park effort. “She loved this park and wanted to see more people come out and enjoy it.”
