Mayor Bill Overstreet Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor Bill Overstreet Park |
|
|---|---|
Welcome sign to the park
|
|
| Type | Beach/urban park |
| Location | Juneau, Alaska United States |
| Created | 2018 |
| Operated by | City and Borough of Juneau |
| Open | All year |
| Status | Open |
Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, also known as Overstreet Park or "Whale Park," is a fun beach and public park in Juneau, Alaska. Juneau is the capital city of Alaska. This big park is right on the water and stretches for more than half a mile.
The most famous part of the park is a giant sculpture of a whale jumping out of the water. This amazing whale is named Takhu. It was created by an Alaskan artist named Skip Wallen. The sculpture is in a fountain near the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, looking out over Gastineau Channel. The park is easy to reach from Downtown Juneau, where cruise ships dock, and from Douglas Island. It was finished in 2018. You can walk to the park from Downtown Juneau using boardwalks and trails.
The park is named after Bill Overstreet. He was a former mayor of Juneau. He worked hard to make sure Juneau stayed the capital city of Alaska.
What Can You Do at the Park?
Mayor Bill Overstreet Park opened in 2018. It has many cool things for visitors to enjoy. The main attraction is the huge humpback whale sculpture and its fountain.
The park also has useful facilities. You can find public restrooms, a covered picnic area, and plenty of benches and tables. There are signs to help guide tourists who walk over from the nearby cruise ship docks. Plus, the park gives you direct access to the beach. It's a great spot for a family outing or a relaxing walk by the water.
How the Park Was Funded
Building a park like this takes a lot of money. The whale sculpture was paid for by people who donated money. However, there was some discussion about how the rest of the park was funded.
Some groups wondered if money collected from cruise ship passengers could be used to build parts of the park. The city of Juneau believed these fees could help pay for things that benefit both ships and their passengers.
In December 2018, a judge made a decision. He said that Juneau could keep collecting fees from passengers. But, the money had to be spent on things that directly help the ships themselves. This means the funds cannot be used to build or maintain the park. Both sides agreed with this decision.
Images for kids
-
Solar Halo at the Humpback Whale Sculpture in Juneau, Alaska on May 25, 2021.
