The park replicates the pointillist painting on a literal, three-dimensional scale, requiring precise geometric maintenance of the shrubs.
The site originally housed the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, which operated from 1869 until the 1950s.
James T. Mason spent several years creating the topiary forms in his own nursery before moving them to the park site.
The garden was officially dedicated in 1992 after the conversion of the former school's playground.
The topiary figures represent various social classes from the 19th-century French setting, including a woman with a parasol and a man with a cane.
Some of the yew topiaries stand over 10 feet tall, requiring hydraulic lifts for professional pruning.
Topiary Park is a public green space in downtown Columbus designed as a living, three-dimensional recreation of Georges Seurat’s famous pointillist painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. The garden features over 50 topiary figures sculpted to resemble the human figures, animals, and boats from the original 1884 masterpiece. Located on the site of the former Old Deaf School Park, the grounds incorporate historical brick buildings and mature trees. The park was conceived by sculptor James T. Mason and his wife, Elaine Mason, in the late 1980s. It remains the only topiary garden in the world designed to mimic a specific painting. The landscaping utilizes yew bushes meticulously shaped to maintain the proportions of the original figures. The park serves as a public venue for outdoor concerts, movies, and community events throughout the warmer months.
The raised wooden walkway provides an elevated perspective that mimics the viewer's eye-level from the original painting.
View the park from the slight incline at the entrance to see the figures align into the perspective of Seurat’s painting.
Bring a blanket if visiting during the warmer months, as the lawn is a popular spot for informal picnicking.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the path surfaces vary between paved walkways and soft grass.
Avoid visiting during heavy rain, as the soft ground around the shrubbery can become muddy and difficult to navigate.
The park is publicly accessible year-round, though the topiaries are pruned and maintained primarily during the spring and summer growing seasons.
Do not climb on the topiary structures, as they are fragile and require specific growth patterns to maintain their shape.
