Fancyburg Park — Attraction in Upper Arlington

I lived three blocks south of what is now Fancyburg Park for 48 years [between 1965 and 2013].

As a teenager, I would often ride my bicycle to what had been known at that time as "Benn Blinn's Farm" to watch Benn Blinn, an eccentric older man who had owned that property well before it had been annexed into Upper Arlington, fly box kites.

Benn would set up his box-kite-flying equipment on the west edge of his farm [on what is now the east side of Sunset Dr. between Swansea Rd. and Wickliffe Rd.], hook up one of his box kites to the end of a long spool of string, and then turn on an electric device to unwind that spool of string. The box kite would then lift off and start to move upwards towards the east.

Benn's box kites would periodically be seen hovering over many different parts of Columbus. I remember Benn once telling me that he would need to contact Port Columbus [now called John Glenn Columbus International Airport] whenever one of his kites would get too close to that airport.

I learned, while writing this review, that some of Benn's box kites would be covered with aluminum -- and/or would have lights on them -- that would cause some to believe that they were UFOs.

Benn Blinn also owned a billboard company, "Blinn Boards." There had been many "Blinn Boards" all over Ohio [and in most of Ohio's neighboring states]; I assume that all of those "Blinn Boards" are now gone.

Benn's wife, Lee, died in 1971. Upper Arlington took over the ownership of Benn Blinn's Farm in 1973 with the stipulation that a to-be-created park, that would replace Benn Blinn's Farm, would be named "Fancyburg Park," evidently because that farmland is now completely surrounded by suburban houses.

Benn Blinn died in 1986; his farm and his box kites are...

Great park! Playground is accessible for all children. Plus, there are two playgrounds so there is one for little ones and one for bigger kids. There are benches with dedication plaques all around the park. The one by the third base line of the upper ball field is one of my favorites. Just keep in mind there are a lot of residents who think they should be able to let their dogs run loose. They do do without the legally required ability to control them because "I should be able to enjoy this park." You should, but not at the expense of others. Also, it isn't within the Ohio law. Aside from that, it's been one of my favorite parks since...

Fantastic park for all ages! Natural play area, young gym, middle aged gym, and ball fields. Places stroll and mature trees. Handicap accessible play. Baby swings.

True story: in the 1950s UA was developed. A lady refused to sell her family farm. Eventually she was surrounded by expensive new homes. When the end of her life came she still refused to sell. "But I'll donate my farm as a park to the city if you name it what I want." She named it Fancyburg-- what she called all...