Ottawa Park Amphitheater New Decorative Arch

Sculptor Ken Thompson will begin to install a new decorative arch at 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1 at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater.

“This has been a project three years in the making, and we are delighted to welcome this new addition,” said Karen Ranney Wolkins, Toledo’s commissioner of parks, recreation, and forestry. “It will be a wonderful way to draw visitor awareness to one of our hidden gems in Ottawa Park.”

The media is invited to attend.

The historic amphitheater in Ottawa Park was a Works Progress Administration project, constructed 1935 to 1936. It is located on a sloping piece of land surrounded by trees in a bird sanctuary section of the park. The 500 tons of stone for the amphitheater came from a quarry near Whitehouse. The trees planted during construction are now nearly 100 feet tall. Over the years, the seating area has been rebuilt. A handicap accessible ramp, a stage with backdrops, power, and a storage facility have also been added. Holding about 750 people, it is the only permanent venue for free open-air concerts in the area. Since it opened, the amphitheater has been used for church services, Broadway productions, Shakespeare plays, magic shows, and many live music performances. Free summer concerts have been held at the site since at least 1963.

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