Marion Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marion Park |
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The park, seen under renovation in 2014
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| Location | Washington, D.C. |
Marion Park is a public park located in Washington, D.C.. It's named after Francis Marion, a famous leader from the Revolutionary War who was also known as The Swamp Fox.
You can find Marion Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, at 4th Street, 6th Street, and E Street, Southeast. Many local kids and families call it Turtle Park because there's a big cement turtle in its playground!
Contents
The Story of Marion Park
Marion Park has a long history, going all the way back to 1791. That's when Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who designed Washington, D.C., first planned this area as open ground. The park has been used continuously since 1885, when the first improvements were made. It is one of the bigger parks in the Capitol Hill area.
Early Days and Land Ownership
In 1764, the land where the park now stands was known as Houp's Addition. It was owned by Jonathan Slater. In 1791, Mr. Slater sold the land to William Prout. Soon after, the land became part of the federal government's property.
Park Improvements Over Time
By 1886, the park looked very elegant. There was a large vase in the center, filled with colorful tropical flowers every summer. This "Large Hilton Iron Vase" helped guide carriages through the park's paths. In 1963, the vase was removed. The traffic patterns were then changed to go around the park, not through it.
The Francis Marion Statue Discussion
In 2008, a plan was approved to build a statue of Francis Marion in the park. However, some local residents didn't agree with this idea. They felt they weren't asked for their opinion by the government about placing the statue in a D.C. park. Also, Francis Marion is a controversial figure because he fought against Native Americans and owned enslaved people.
What You Can Do at Marion Park
Marion Park is a fun place for many activities. It has a playground where kids can play. It's also a very popular spot for people to bring their dogs for a walk and to play.
This article incorporates text from a work of the United States federal government not subject to copyright.
