Explore Ruins Of An Old Glass Making Factory At Ariel Foundation Park In Ohio
Here in Ohio, we’re fortunate to have so many unique parks. (Be sure to check out this one-of-a-kind metro park where bison roam free.) From state parks to metro parks, there’s always something around the corner to explore in Ohio. Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio is home to several unique features. Here, you can climb an observation tower, walk through a labyrinth and even explore the ruins of an old glass making factory.
The next time you’re in the area, here’s why you’ll want to stop at this one-of-a-kind park:
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What was once the site of a factory is now a 250-acre public green space close to downtown Mount Vernon. It's arguably one of the most unique public parks in the state.
Address: 10 Pittsburgh Avenue, Mount Vernon, OH, 43050
Ariel-Foundation Park used to be the home of the former Pittsburgh Plate Glass Manufacturing Plant. Today, you can explore partial ruins of the factory at the park.
The park's official hours are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. from April 1 - November 15 but several areas of the park are open year-round. Admission to the park is free.
You can observe remains from stair and elevator towers, brick structures and even a smokestack. It's a fascinating look at a rare piece of history.
The PPG factory was one of the largest in the world of its kind, once upon a time.
The Rastin Observation Tower was once the glass factory's industrial smoke stack. It was built in 1951 and is still the tallest structure in Knox County.
The tower stretches 280 feet high. You can climb a total of 224 steps to reach the 140-ft. high observation deck, where the views of the park and surrounding town are truly captivating.
The Tree of Life Labyrinth (not pictured) is another unique must-see feature of the park. It's a 1,000-ft. walkway that winds through the park.
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
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