Piatt Park facts for kids
Piatt Park is the oldest park in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was created in 1817. This city park stretches for two blocks in downtown Cincinnati. It runs between Elm Street and Vine Street along Garfield Place, which is also known as 8th Street. The Cincinnati Park Board takes care of the park.
Contents
History of Piatt Park
Piatt Park has a long and interesting history.
How the Park Started
In 1817, two brothers, John H. Piatt and Benjamin M. Piatt, gave a piece of land to the city. John was a steamboat builder, and Benjamin was a judge. They wanted the land to be used as a market area. However, there was already a market nearby, so the city decided to use the land differently. On June 19, 1868, the land was officially set aside to be a park.
Statues of Presidents
You can find bronze statues of two U.S. Presidents from Ohio in the park. A statue of James A. Garfield faces Vine Street, and a statue of William Henry Harrison faces west toward the Covenant First Presbyterian Church.
James A. Garfield Statue
The statue of President James A. Garfield was made by Charles Henry Niehaus. It was ordered in 1883 and shown to the public in 1887. Because of this statue, the park was sometimes called Garfield Park. But in 1940, it was officially named Piatt Park again.
The Garfield statue has been moved a few times. It was first in the middle of the street where Garfield Place and Race Street meet. In 1915, it was moved into the park closer to that same intersection. Then, in 1988, during a park update, it was moved again. Now, it stands at the Vine Street entrance to the park.
William Henry Harrison Statue
The bronze statue of General William Henry Harrison on horseback was created by Louis Rebisso and his student Clement Barnhorn. It was dedicated in 1896. On one side of the statue's base, it says "Ohio's First President." On the other side, it simply has his name, "William Henry Harrison."
This statue is special because it's the only one in Cincinnati that shows a person on horseback. It used to face east toward Vine Street. But in 1988, it was moved to its current spot.
Reflecting Pools and Fountain
In Piatt Park, near Race Street, there are two round reflecting pools. These pools have smooth granite slabs that reflect the buildings around them. Water flows over the granite, and beneath the water, you can see carved symbols for water, air, and land.
This fountain was designed by Cincinnati artist Stuart Fink. It was dedicated in 1989. It was made to remember Isadore “Izzy” Kadetz, a local delicatessen owner who passed away in 1983.
Gallery
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The Garfield Monument in winter.
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The Garfield Monument in summer.
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Inside the shade trees, a peaceful spot.
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Piatt Park in Winter, looking toward Vine Street.
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An old picture of the park from a stereoscope.
Images for kids
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Piatt Park Cincinnati photo by Andy Hemmer
