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 downtown Dallas, Texas, USA. It's famous for its huge sculpture and is a popular spot for tourists. Next to the plaza is the Pioneer Park Cemetery, which has a historical memorial. Together, the plaza and cemetery make up the biggest open space in the main business area of Dallas.
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What is Pioneer Plaza?
Pioneer Plaza is a special park in the heart of Dallas, Texas. It's known for its amazing sculptures that show a cattle drive. This park is a great place to visit and learn about Texas history. It's also a very popular spot for people exploring downtown Dallas.
How Big is Pioneer Plaza?
The park covers about 4.2 acres, which is like four football fields! This makes it the largest open public space in the main part of Dallas. It's a great place to relax or learn about the city's past.
History of Pioneer Plaza
Pioneer Plaza was built on land that used to have railroad tracks and warehouses. This area was originally planned for a very tall hotel and office building, but that project didn't happen.
Who Created Pioneer Plaza?
The idea for Pioneer Plaza came from a real estate developer named Trammell Crow. He wanted to create a famous "Western" sculpture in Dallas. He gathered a group of people to help donate the sculptures for the park.
When Was Pioneer Plaza Built?
The project started in 1992 and cost about $9 million. The City of Dallas donated the 4.2 acres of land for the park. Most of the money, about $4.8 million, came from private donations. These donations were from individuals and local businesses. Even though some local artists didn't agree with the project, Pioneer Plaza opened on time in 1994.
Who Takes Care of the Park Today?
Today, the Dallas Convention Center helps maintain Pioneer Plaza. It is the second most visited tourist spot in downtown Dallas. Sometimes, new steer sculptures are added to the herd, making the park even bigger!
The Amazing Sculpture at Pioneer Plaza
The large sculpture at Pioneer Plaza celebrates the cattle drives of the 1800s. These drives moved Texas longhorn cattle to northern train stations. One of the earliest routes was the Shawnee Trail, which passed through Dallas.
What Does the Sculpture Show?
The sculpture features 49 bronze steers (cattle) and 3 trail riders. The artist, Robert Summers, created these amazing figures. Each steer is larger than life, standing six feet tall! Together, this sculpture is the biggest bronze monument of its kind in the world.
How is the Sculpture Displayed?
The sculptures are placed along an artificial ridge. They also pass a man-made limestone cliff. The park has native plants, a flowing stream, and a waterfall. All these features help create a dramatic and realistic scene of a cattle drive.
Images for kids
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Historic brands from Texas ranches are shown on the sidewalk, like this one from the 6666 Ranch.
