Pioneer Plaza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pioneer Plaza |
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Pioneer Plaza in 2010
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| Type | public park |
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Area | 4.2 acres (17,000 m2) |
| Created | 1994 |
| Operated by | City of Dallas |
| Status | open all year |
Pioneer Plaza is a big public park in Dallas, Texas, USA. It's in the downtown area, near the city's main convention center. The park is famous for its huge sculpture of cattle and cowboys. Many tourists visit this spot every year. Next to the plaza is the Pioneer Park Cemetery, which has a special memorial. Pioneer Plaza is the biggest open space in downtown Dallas.
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Discovering Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza is a popular place to visit in downtown Dallas. It offers a unique look into Texas history. The park is known for its amazing bronze sculptures. These sculptures show a cattle drive, which was a big part of Texas's past.
What Makes Pioneer Plaza Special?
The main attraction at Pioneer Plaza is its giant sculpture. It features 49 bronze steers (cattle) and three cowboys. This artwork celebrates the old cattle drives. These drives moved cattle across Texas many years ago. The park also has beautiful landscaping. There's a flowing stream and a waterfall. These features make the sculpture even more dramatic.
The Story Behind Pioneer Plaza
The land where Pioneer Plaza now stands used to be for railroads and warehouses. A real estate developer named Trammell Crow had an idea. He wanted a famous "Western" sculpture for Dallas. He gathered people to help donate the money for the artwork.
Building the Park
The city of Dallas gave 4.2 acres of land for the park. The whole project cost $9 million. About $4.8 million came from private donations. These donations were from people and local businesses. The park and its sculpture officially opened in 1994.
Who Takes Care of the Park?
Today, the Dallas Convention Center helps maintain Pioneer Plaza. It has become the second most visited tourist spot in downtown Dallas. Sometimes, new steers are added to the sculpture. This makes the herd even bigger over time.
The Amazing Cattle Drive Sculpture
The large sculpture at Pioneer Plaza tells a story. It remembers the cattle drives of the 1800s. These drives moved Texas Longhorn cattle to northern cities. One of the earliest routes was called the Shawnee Trail.
Meet the Artist
The artist who created these sculptures is Robert Summers. He is from Glen Rose, Texas. He made 49 bronze steers and 3 trail riders. Each steer is larger than real life, standing six feet tall.
A World Record Sculpture
Together, this sculpture is the biggest bronze monument of its kind in the world. It sits on a man-made ridge. There is also a limestone cliff. Native plants and a flowing stream add to the natural feel. This helps visitors imagine what a real cattle drive was like.
