Fairmount Park (Riverside, California) facts for kids

Fairmount Park is a large, fun park located in Riverside, California. It's a special place, recognized as Landmark No. 69 by the city's Cultural Heritage Board. Inside the park, you'll find a cool band shell, built in 1920. This band shell is also a landmark, known as No. 10.

The park is easy to find at 2601 Fairmount Boulevard. It sits southeast of the Santa Ana River, with Route 60 to its north.

There's a lake in the park called Lake Evans. It's a great spot for fishing! However, it's important to know that the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment suggests not eating any fish caught there. This is because of higher levels of mercury and PCBs. They especially recommend not eating Catfish from the lake.

Park History: How It Began

Fairmount Park in a vintage postcard from around 1916

Fairmount Park was designed a long time ago, in 1911. A famous company called Olmsted and Olmsted created the plans. The Olmsted family was well-known for designing many beautiful parks, including New York City's Central Park.

Even though the original Frederick Law Olmsted had passed away, his sons followed his ideas. They wanted parks to feel natural and beautiful. Most of the park's main features were built over the next 13 years. Lake Evans, for example, was finished in 1924. In 1985, a check of the park's trees showed that many of the original trees planted in 1911 were still growing strong!

Making the Park Better

Fairmount Park received a "Great Public Spaces" award in 2011

Over time, parts of Fairmount Park needed some care. Lake Evans had problems with flooding and wear and tear. Also, there were some safety concerns in and around the park. Local people, like Pat Stewart, who leads the Friends of Fairmount Park group, decided to help.

They started working to improve the park in 2001. Volunteers helped by picking up trash and doing other maintenance. Because of all this community effort, enough money was raised for a brand new, amazing playground that cost $2.6 million!

In 2011, the American Planning Association (APA) gave Fairmount Park a special award. They called it one of the "Great Public Spaces" in the country. The City Parks Alliance also called it a "jewel" in the region's park system that same year.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Fairmount Park has lots of cool things for everyone to enjoy!

• Golf Course: If you like golf, there's a course right in the park.
• Tennis Courts: You can play a game of tennis on one of the two courts.
• Barbecues: There are public barbecue areas perfect for picnics and cookouts.
• Boat Rentals: You can rent boats, including pedal boats that are easy for everyone to use.
• Lake Activities: Enjoy sailing and fishing on Lake Evans.
• Trails: The Santa Ana River Trail is great for running, jogging, or just a nice walk.
• Exercise Classes: Sometimes, different exercise classes are held right in the park.
• Playground: Kids can have a blast on the large, modern playground.
• Lawn Bowling: There's a well-kept lawn bowling court that opened in the 1920s.
• Rose Garden: Visit the beautiful Rose Garden with a gazebo. It's a popular spot for taking photos during special events.

Special Memorials in the Park

Fairmount Park is also home to some interesting historical displays:

• Train Engine: A large train engine, Union Pacific Engine No. 6051, was placed at the park's main entrance in 1954. It celebrates 50 years since the railroad first came to Riverside.
• Amphibious Tank: In 1949, the American Legion put a special vehicle called a "Water Buffalo" (an amphibious tank) near Lake Evans. This tank can travel on both land and water! It reminds everyone of Riverside's important role in making these vehicles during World War II.

Gallery

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  Band shell (1920, rebuilt 1995), Landmark No. 10

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  "Famous Water Buffalo" World War II amphibious vehicle

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  Park's formal entrance on Market Street, with Union Pacific locomotive

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  Stewarts Boathouse (1912)

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  Fairmount Golf Course clubhouse