Alameda Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alameda Park |
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Alameda Park complex (Alice Keck Park at bottom)
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| Location | Santa Barbara, California |
| Area | 9.3 acres (4 ha) |
| Created | April 29, 1853 |
| Operated by | City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department |
| Website | Alameda Park |
Alameda Park is a super cool park located in Santa Barbara, California, in the U.S.. It's right next to Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens. This park is a popular spot for many city celebrations, like the fun Summer Solstice festival. It's also one of the oldest parks in Santa Barbara!
Alameda Park covers two city blocks. It has a lovely gazebo and an awesome Kids World playground that's about 8,000 square feet (743 square meters)! You can also find many rare and interesting trees here.
Contents
Park History: How It Started
Early Days of Alameda Park
Alameda Park was officially set aside as a public space on April 29, 1853. It was first called Plaza Alameda. The park originally included two blocks, numbers 88 and 89. These blocks were located between East Sola and East Victoria Streets.
However, an old map from 1853 shows that the park might have been even bigger! This map, made by Vitus Wackenreuder, showed six blocks as Garden de Alameda. One of these blocks, number 58, is where Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens is today.
Later, in 1868, a new rule said that blocks 73 and 74 should make up Plaza Alameda. The original blocks 88 and 89 were then sold. This meant they were no longer part of the public park.
Making the Park Beautiful
In 1874, fences were put up around the park areas. Trees were also planted to make the park look nice. But for a while, the park became very weedy.
In the early 1880s, a special Park Board was created. Their job was to take care of the park. In 1888, people asked to build a bandstand in the park. This is where musicians could play music. They also wanted a tool house. Both cost about $250 each, which was a lot of money back then!
A Park Expert's Touch
In 1909, a city planner named Charles Mulford Robinson said Alameda Park was "high quality." A very important person for the park was Dr. Augustus Boyd Doremus. He was the Parks Superintendent from 1842 to 1937.
Dr. Doremus personally planted countless trees and shrubs. Thanks to him, the park is famous for its many beautiful plants today. In 1929, a special plaque was put up to honor him. You can find it at the corner of East Sola and Santa Barbara Streets.
