Klutho Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry J. Klutho Park |
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| Type | Municipal (Parks & Recreation Department) |
| Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Area | 18.34 acres (74,200 m2) |
| Created | 1899 |
| Operated by | City of Jacksonville |
| Status | Open year round |
Henry J. Klutho Park is a large public park in Jacksonville, Florida. It covers about 18.34-acre (74,200 m2) of land. You can find it between the busy downtown area and the old, charming neighborhood of Springfield. This park is part of a cool group of parks that follow along Hogans Creek. Klutho Park is the biggest one in this network. It's a great place to visit, especially if you like disc golf, as it has an 18-hole course!
Contents
A Park with a Past
How the Park Started
This park wasn't always called Henry J. Klutho Park. It used to be known as Springfield Park. Most of the park was created between 1899 and 1901. The land for the park was kindly given by a company called the Springfield Company.
Jacksonville's First Zoo
Did you know that this park was once home to Jacksonville's very first zoo? The zoo opened right here in the park in 1914. Imagine seeing animals where you now play disc golf!
Henry J. Klutho's Vision
A big change happened to the park between 1929 and 1930. This was thanks to a project called the Hogans Creek Improvement Project. It was designed by a very important architect named Henry J. Klutho (1873–1964). Charles Imeson was the engineer who helped make it happen. They turned a lot of the park into a beautiful area that looked like a Venetian promenade. A promenade is a fancy word for a place designed for walking.
Who Was Henry J. Klutho?
Henry J. Klutho was a highly respected person who lived in the Springfield neighborhood. He was famous for his amazing buildings. After the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed much of Jacksonville, Klutho helped rebuild the city. He used a special building style called Prairie School architecture. His designs really changed how Jacksonville looked.
Renaming the Park
Because of all his important work and his connection to the area, the City of Jacksonville decided to honor Henry J. Klutho. In 1984, parts of Springfield Park were renamed Henry J. Klutho Park. It's a way to remember his contributions to the city.
