History & Design:

This garden devoted to a country known for its warm hospitality, incredible biodiversity, art, literature, music and coffee was the first to represent a Latin nation in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Colombians began arriving in Cleveland after World War I, seeking education and professional opportunities. Today, the Colombian community thrives by sharing its rich traditions, music and cuisine with all of Northeast Ohio.

A central plaza in the Colombia Cultural Garden serves as a place for friends to gather and listen to cumbia and vallenato music, share meals and celebrate important events, such as Colombian Independence Day on July 20. The plaza features a round medallion inspired by the sombrero vueltiao [some-brer-oh volt-ee-ow], a traditional hat made with black-and-white geometric patterns woven with caña flecha reeds.

Future phases of the garden on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will showcase Colombia’s diverse landscapes, from the Caribbean coast to the Amazon Rainforest and the mountains and grasslands in between. Flowers are integral to the design, as Colombia is one of the world’s top flower exporters.

To learn more about this blossoming garden, visit ohiocolombianfoundation.org.