Cameron Park (Waco) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cameron Park
Recreation in Cameron Park
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Type	Public park
Location	Waco, Texas 76708
Area	416 acres (168 ha)
Created	1910

Cameron Park is a huge public park located in Waco, Texas. It covers about 416-acre (168 ha), which is like 315 football fields! This amazing urban park is a popular spot for outdoor fun and relaxation. It's named after William Cameron, a kind person and businessman from Waco. The park is also home to the Cameron Park Zoo, a fun place to see animals.

History of Cameron Park

In the early 1900s, Waco was growing fast. Many people wanted more parks and green spaces for everyone to enjoy. They especially liked a spot called Proctor Springs near the Brazos River.

• A Special Gift: On May 24, 1910, something wonderful happened. Flora B. Cameron, William Cameron's wife, announced a big gift. She bought 125 acres of land, including Proctor Springs, and gave it to the city of Waco. She wanted it to be a park named after her late husband. She also gave $5,000 to help develop the park. Her gift came with rules: the park had to keep its name and could not be used for businesses.
• Park Dedication: The park was officially opened on May 27, 1910. Nearly 15,000 people came to the celebration! The president of Baylor University, Samuel Palmer Brooks, helped lead the ceremony.
• Growing Bigger: The Cameron family continued to support the park. They gave more land in 1917 and 1920. These gifts more than doubled the park's size. They extended it along the Brazos and Bosque rivers to a famous cliff called Lover's Leap.
• Improvements During Hard Times: During the Great Depression, federal workers helped improve the park. They built trails, water drains, and strong walls. This made the park even better for visitors.
• A Dip in Popularity: For many years, Cameron Park was very popular. However, in the 1960s, a disagreement about building a new bridge nearby caused some problems. This, along with more cars and other factors, made fewer people visit the park. The park started to look a bit run down, and some problems with safety began to appear.
• Bringing the Park Back to Life: By the late 1980s, people decided it was time to fix up Cameron Park. A congressman named W. R. Pogue donated $100,000 for a beautiful wildflower area called Miss Nellie's Pretty Place. More police officers, including mounted police on horses, started patrolling the park. The opening of the Cameron Park Zoo in 1993 and new trails also helped bring people back. Cameron Park became popular again for everyone in the Waco area.

What Cameron Park Offers Today

Today, Cameron Park is one of the largest city parks in Texas. It's a fantastic place for many activities.

• Trails for Everyone: The park has over 20 miles (32 km) of trails. You can use them for walking, running, or biking.
• Fun Activities: There's a disc golf course, a cross country running course, and courts for different sports. You'll also find playgrounds for younger kids and many picnic areas for families and friends.
• The Zoo: Don't forget the Cameron Park Zoo, which is part of the park! It's a great place to learn about animals from all over the world.
• Celebrating 100 Years: In 2010, Cameron Park celebrated its 100th birthday! Funds raised for this celebration helped build a new limestone pavilion in the park.

Further Reading

• Firmin, Mark E.; John Bean. (2010) Waco, Texas' William Cameron Park: A Long Love Affair with Nature's Splendor: A Centennial History: 1910-2010. Baylor University Press. ISBN: 9781602582897.