Prospect Park (Troy, New York) facts for kids
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Prospect Park is a large city park in Troy, New York. It covers about 80-acre (32 ha) of land. The park sits high up on Mount Ida, between Congress and Hill Street.
A talented landscape engineer named Garnet Douglass Baltimore designed the park in 1903. He was the first African-American to graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Over time, the park changed, and not much of Baltimore's original design is still visible today.
Today, Prospect Park offers many fun things to do. You can find 14 tennis courts, 4 handball courts, and 2 basketball courts. There's also a playground, picnic spots, a soccer field, and a spray pool for hot days. A nature trail lets you explore the park's beauty. A road goes around the park with eight parking areas.
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Park History: How It Began
Mount Ida, where Prospect Park is located, is 285 feet (about 87 meters) above sea level. From the top, you can see for up to 20 miles! The land for the park was once owned by a wealthy family called the Warrens. They were known for helping to fund the Church of the Holy Cross and the Warren Free Institute.
In March 1901, the city of Troy bought this land for $110,000. They first named it Warren Park. However, local newspapers and the city council preferred the name Prospect Park. They were inspired by the famous Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.
Early Design and Features
Over the next few years, Garnet Baltimore brought his designs to life. He added winding roads and four entrances to the park. He also included fences, a man-made lake, a band shell for music, and an observation tower. Tennis courts and playgrounds were also part of his plan.
When the city bought the land, there were two large houses already there. One was called the Warren Mansion, and the other was the Vail House. The Warren Mansion became a museum for old military items. The Vail House was turned into a place to buy refreshments, called the "Casino."
In 1926, a special above-ground swimming pool was added. It was designed by Wesley Bintz. This pool is one of the few "Bintz" pools still standing today.
Changes Over Time
Prospect Park was very popular until the 1950s. Around that time, Troy faced challenges like people moving away and factories closing down. This meant less money and fewer visitors for the park.
Some of the park's original features were lost. The Warren Mansion was taken down in 1933. The Casino building was destroyed by fire in 1943. The Bintz pool closed in 1994 because it needed expensive repairs.
Nature and Community Efforts
Prospect Park is home to many rare types of trees. You can see Catalpa, European Beech, Hawthorne, and Magnolias. These trees add to the park's beauty and the amazing 20-mile view from the top.
The city of Troy originally wanted Prospect Park to be like its famous Brooklyn namesake. They hoped it would bring a bit of big-city life to Troy. Newspapers even praised the park, calling it "beautifully Brooklynish."
Friends of Prospect Park
In 1998, a group of Troy citizens formed "Friends of Prospect Park." This non-profit group works to care for and promote the park. They have helped improve the children's playground and put up a welcome sign. They also renovated bathrooms and comfort stations. The group organizes yearly bulb plantings and many other projects.
Even with these efforts, the park has become less popular over the years. Today, the Friends of Prospect Park organize clean-up events for the park and its trails. They want to bring the park back to its original purpose from the early 1900s.
They also work with the Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program. Together, they create community programs like the Troy Hidden Garden Tour. These programs help connect families in Troy and promote home ownership.
Images for kids
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View of Downtown Troy from the park in 2020
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Lawn Tennis and Croquet Grounds, Prospect Park in 1912
