Pioneer Park (Fairbanks, Alaska) facts for kids
Pioneer Park is a large city park in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. It covers about 44 acres (109 hectares). The park is managed by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Department. It celebrates the early history of Alaska with many museums and old displays.
You can find the park along the Chena River. It's easy to get to from Peger and Airport Roads. A path along the river connects the park to other places like the Carlson Center and downtown Fairbanks. It's free to enter the park itself. However, some museums and attractions inside might ask for a small fee. Food and gift shops are usually open from late May to early September. The park is open all year, and special events happen even in winter. You can also find free internet here!
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Park History
Pioneer Park first opened in 1967. It was called the Alaska 67 Centennial Exposition back then. This was to celebrate 100 years since the Alaska Purchase. That's when the United States bought Alaska from Russia.
After being owned by the state and then the city, Mayor Red Boucher renamed it Alaskaland. Later, in 2001, its name was changed again to Pioneer Park. This was because people thought "Alaskaland" sounded too much like a theme park with rides. The new name helps show that it's more about history and culture.
Fun Things to See and Do
Pioneer Park has many exciting attractions that teach you about Alaska's past. Here are some of the highlights:
Arts and Culture
- Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts – This building has a theater for shows, an art gallery, and rooms for meetings.
- Fairbanks Arts Association – This group helps promote art in the middle of Alaska. They support both new and old art forms.
- Pioneer Hall – This building looks like an old meeting hall from the early 1900s. Inside, you'll find the Pioneer Museum. It has items from the Gold Rush and a big painting called "Big Stampede."
Historic Buildings and Trains
- Gold Rush Town – This area has 35 old buildings that have been fixed up. They come from early Fairbanks. You can see the first church in Fairbanks and a house that belonged to a Judge named James Wickersham. Many of these buildings are now gift shops or small stores.
- Crooked Creek & Whiskey Island Railroad – This is a real working train! It's a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge railroad, which means its tracks are closer together than regular trains. It takes you on a fun ride around the park.
- Denali Observation Car (or "Harding Railroad Car") – This is a special train car. It was used by President Warren G. Harding in 1923. He visited Alaska to officially finish the Alaska Railroad.
- Tanana Valley Railroad Museum – This museum opened in 2006. It has a restored 1899 TVRR Engine No. 1. This is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge steam locomotive. It's the oldest working steam train in Alaska and sometimes volunteers even run it!
Museums and Displays
- Mining Valley – Here you can see a working copy of a gold rush-era sluice gate. This was a tool used to separate gold from dirt and rocks.
- Pioneer Air Museum – This museum has many items related to flying and 14 different airplanes. It was started by an aviation historian named Randy Acord.
- Replica Alaska Native village – This area shows what an Alaska Native village might have looked like. It has many interesting artifacts.
- Replica of the wheelhouse of SS Lavelle Young – This is a copy of the steering room of a steamer boat. This boat was used by Fairbanks founder E.T. Barnette to reach the place where the city was built.
- SS Nenana – This is a huge sternwheeler boat. A sternwheeler is a boat moved by a large paddle wheel at the back. The SS Nenana carried people and goods on the Tanana and Yukon rivers from 1933 to 1954. At 230 feet (70 meters) long, it's one of the longest wooden-hulled ships still around! Now, it's a museum you can explore.
Other Fun Activities
- Mini Golf Fairbanks – If you love mini golf, you're in luck! This park has America's northernmost 36-hole mini golf course.
