Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is in the midst of moving forward with a capital campaign. After ten years of strengthening its foundation and building the stability needed for growth, the Conservatory now embarks on an era of transforming and expanding the visitor experience. At the heart of the experience will be a new two-acre Children’s Garden. The Children’s Garden will offer unstructured outdoor exploration that is much needed in today’s fast-paced, over-scheduled, technology-driven world. The Children’s Garden will welcome families to take notice and take part in the pulse of Ohio’s natural systems through play and art in the ever-changing outdoors.

Reach Out is currently located within the two acres that will become the Children’s Garden. As a result, the piece needs to be relocated in order to keep its integrity intact. Reach Out is meant to be a piece that allows for reflection. By remaining within a space designated for constant play and exploration, the environment does not allow for that reflection. The Children’s Garden will also be an enclosed space for Conservatory patrons to utilize. By remaining in its current location, public access to the sculpture will be cut off allowing fewer people to enjoy its beauty and tranquility. As a highly interactive space, the Children’s Garden is not an ideal location for the sculpture for safety reasons as well. Safety for the children and families in the garden as well as the safety of the piece are both a concern of the Conservatory’s. By relocating the piece anyone visiting the park may view the sculpture and we can ensure that the piece and all parties remain as safe as possible.

Reach Out will be moved by the staff of Columbus Art Memorial with the assistance of appropriate Conservatory staff. The owner of the company, Carmine Menduni, is a close friend of the Tibor family and has moved many of his pieces before. He was recommended to us by Eva Tibor, the daughter of the artist. Due to his relationship with the artist and his works, we feel they are the best choice in relocating piece. Conservatory staff will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of staff, patrons, and the sculpture. Designated areas within the park grounds and the necessary route will be blocked off to allow for a smooth and easier move. The Conservatory would like for Reach Out to remain in a space that is open to anyone to enjoy. We are proposing this move of the piece to keep the integrity of the sculpture intact, while also promoting outdoor play for children in our new Children’s Garden.

Construction on the Children’s Garden will begin in the early spring of 2017, and relocating the sculpture is slated to be completed by the end of October, 2016. It is estimated that it should take one day to remove the sculpture and install it in the proposed site. The goal is to move the piece before the winter weather fully arrives, and not to impede with construction.

Photos (c) Franklin Park Conservatory

20 September 2016
Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH