On the way home from Mohican, I took a tiny detour that we have seen twice before : Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio. It’s almost directly on my route and was the perfect actual last stop. This time, I finally got to climb the spiral tower, something I’ve wanted to do for a while but hadn’t managed yet because of the heat. Luna also wasn’t exactly thrilled about it trying it.
Ariel-Foundation Park is one of Ohio’s most fascinating public spaces. Built on the grounds of the former Pittsburgh Plate Glass plant. This park preserves the industrial past with a modern art twist. Glass, steel, and open green space merge here in a way I haven’t seen anywhere else yet, personally. Sculptures made from reclaimed materials dot the landscape, and the skeletal frames of old buildings remain upright. Almost a ghostly tribute to the workers who built the area’s legacy.
The spiral staircase itself is part of what used to be the factory’s smokestack. Now repurposed into a vertical viewing tower, it offers panoramic views of Mount Vernon and the surrounding countryside. There are 224 steps up and the stairs stop before the very top for safety reasons. It’s high enough that you can see for miles, and the spiral design is open to the air, so you’re just circling your way up the sky.
I’ve explored Ariel before with Luna, and we’ve walked the lakeside trails, crossed the little bridges, and paused at the swings scattered around the park. There’s even a small hedge maze tucked back near the art installations. The last time, it was too risky to climb the tower with Luna all scared, and Luna couldn’t safely wait while I climbed the tower in the heat. But today, the temperature was cool and mild safe for her to stay in the car with the windows down while I ran up to finally see that view from the top.
She and I had already explored the cute lakeside area earlier, and she was content to chill while I made the fast climb. She definitely remembers being less than impressed the last time we passed the base of the stairs. She made it clear she wanted no part of the spiral when she looked at the tower and chose to lay down. Not even trying to come too.
Ariel-Foundation Park is more than just a stop to stretch your legs, it’s a place where Ohio’s industrial history gets transformed into something imaginative and beautiful. It feels both abandoned and alive, which is what makes it stick with me. And if you’re ever headed through Mount Vernon with time to spare, it’s worth climbing those stairs. If you’re chasing a view or even just want to pause somewhere full of memory and transformation.
