Cesar Chavez Plaza facts for kids
Cesar Chavez Plaza, also known as Cesar Chavez Park, is a popular city park in Sacramento, California. It is named after César Chávez, a famous leader who worked for farmworkers' rights. For over 100 years, this downtown square has been a central spot for many community events. These include a lively Farmers' Market, fun music concerts, and important community gatherings.
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Discovering Cesar Chavez Plaza
Cesar Chavez Park and Plaza covers a whole city block in downtown Sacramento. It sits between I and J Streets and 9th and 10th Streets. This park is built on the site of what was once called Old City Plaza, which was started in 1849 by John Sutter.
A Park with History
Long ago, people thought about building the California State Capitol Building right here. But in 1857, they decided not to because local residents had concerns. In 1872, a land designer named John Keating was hired to create a plan for the park. Many of his original ideas are still there today. These include the main fountain, round pathways, and criss-cross walking paths.
In 1985, Cesar Chavez Plaza became part of a special historic district. This helped bring more people and businesses to downtown Sacramento.
Famous Buildings Nearby
Many important and historic buildings stand around Cesar Chavez Park and Plaza. To the north, you can see the Sacramento City Hall. It was built in 1911 and designed by Rudolph A. Herold. To the south is the Citizen's Hotel, which was built in 1926.
Other notable buildings close by include the Central Library, built in 1918, and the Federal Post Office Building from 1933. The beautiful California State Capitol Building is only three blocks away. It was built between 1861 and 1874. Also, the California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters is at one corner of the plaza. It was the first building in the United States to get a special "Platinum LEED" green building award.
The plaza also has two special landmarks. These are the A.J. Stevens Statue from 1888 and the Coleman Memorial from 1926.
Fun and Events at the Plaza
Cesar Chavez Park and Plaza has been updated many times over its 150 years. These changes help keep the park beautiful and useful for everyone. For example, it was renovated from 1990 to 1998.
Recent Updates and Activities
Most recently, in 2012, the plaza got new grass, planter boxes, and benches. The stage for concerts was also made higher. The plaza is still a very popular place for both locals and visitors to gather.
From May through October, a weekly farmer's market takes place here. You can find fresh local produce and goods. Many concerts are also held throughout the year. These include the Fiesta en la Calle and Friday Night Concerts in the Park series. Cesar Chavez Plaza also hosts the Raley's Grape Escape, an event that shows off the region's food and wine. There's even a popular restaurant called Cafe Soleil in the plaza, serving breakfast and lunch.
A "Great Public Space"
In 2012, the American Planning Association called Cesar Chavez Park and Plaza a Great Public Space. This was part of their list of Great Places in America. Since 2007, this group picks special neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces across the United States. They look for places that show "excellent character, quality, and planning." These places should also have a true sense of community, cultural and historical interest, and a vision for the future.
Cesar Chavez Plaza was chosen because of its design and its important history. It also offers nice views and is used often by many people. The success of its planning efforts has made it the wonderful space it is today.
Community Gathering Place
Within the Sacramento community, Cesar Chavez Plaza is well-known as a gathering place for everyone. It serves as a central spot where people from all walks of life can come together.
