Himmel Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Himmel Park |
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|---|---|
| Type | City park |
| Location | Tucson, Arizona, United States |
| Area | 24.3 acres (9.8 ha) |
| Created | 1935 |
| Operated by | Tucson Parks and Recreation |
Himmel Park is a super fun city park located right in the middle of Tucson, Arizona. It's about 24.3 acres (9.8 ha) big, which is like having 18 football fields! This park is a great place for families and friends to hang out.
You'll find lots of cool things to do at Himmel Park. There's a library, a big grassy area for shows called an amphitheater, and two playgrounds for kids. You can also swim in the pool, play tennis on eight lighted courts, or run around on the huge grass field. This field is big enough for four soccer games at once!
The park covers an area about three blocks wide and two-and-a-half blocks tall. It's bordered by Tucson Boulevard on the west, 1st Street on the north, and Treat Avenue on the east. The southern edge is just a little bit north of 3rd Street.
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Park History: How Himmel Park Began
Himmel Park has an interesting past, starting way back in the 1930s.
How the Park Got Its Name
The land for Himmel Park was bought by the City of Tucson in 1935. A woman named Alvina Himmel Edmonson sold the land for $3,500. She had one special request: the park had to be named after her parents. That's how Himmel Park got its name!
Building Fun Facilities
In 1936, a swimming pool was built in the park. This project was part of a program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA helped create jobs during a tough time in history. They built many public places like parks and pools.
A few years later, in 1944, the park became much bigger. The city bought three more blocks of land, almost doubling its size. This meant even more space for people to enjoy!
The First Branch Library
In 1961, something new was added to Himmel Park: the Himmel Park Branch Library. This library was very special because it was the first branch location for the Tucson Public Library system. It's still there today, in the northeast corner of the park.
A Train's Visit to the Park
For many years, from 1962 until 2000, a real steam train was on display at the park! It was the Southern Pacific 1673 locomotive. This old train sat near the pool and playground. Later, it was moved to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum in downtown Tucson, where you can still see it today.
Himmel Park continues to be a beloved spot for the community. It offers a mix of history, nature, and fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
