Mitchell Playground facts for kids

Mitchell Playground is a public park located in Charleston, South Carolina. It's a fun place for people to play and relax, found between Fishburne Street, Perry Street, Sheppard Street, and Rutledge Avenue. The playground gets its name from the Julian Mitchell Elementary School, which is right next to it.

A Look at Mitchell Playground's History

The First Public Playground

Mitchell Playground holds a special place in history. It was the very first public playground not only in Charleston but also in the entire state of South Carolina! It opened in 1910, giving kids a dedicated space to play.

What the Park Looked Like

This park was a large grassy field, perfect for games. It had a green hedge and tall shade trees around its edges. You could enter the playground through gates at each corner. Inside, paths crossed the park from one corner to another, making it easy to get around.

Fun Activities and Equipment

Mitchell Playground offered lots of ways to have fun. It had classic playground equipment like swings and monkey bars. There were also unique "joggling boards," which are long, flexible planks for bouncing. For sports lovers, the park featured tennis courts, a basketball court, and even a football field. It was a busy spot with many things to do!

A Park for Everyone (Eventually)

When it first opened, Mitchell Playground was mainly for white children. However, over time, during a period when public places were separated by race, Mitchell Playground became a park specifically for Black children. Other parks, like Hampton Park, were set aside for white children. This shows how parks changed over time in Charleston's history.