Prospect Park (Ypsilanti, Michigan) facts for kids
Prospect Park is a cool 9.5-acre park in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It's the oldest park in the city! This park used to be a cemetery, but now it's a fun place with a big, old cannon and a pretty lake called Luna Lake. Prospect Park is super close to Depot Town, a historic area in Ypsilanti. Many fun events like the YpsiFest and car shows happen there in the summer.
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What's the History of Prospect Park?
The land where Prospect Park now sits started as Prospect Cemetery in 1842. It was Ypsilanti's second cemetery. Later, in 1864, Highland Cemetery opened nearby. Because of this, fewer people used Prospect Cemetery.
In 1891, a group of local women decided to make a change. They worked hard to raise money to move the bodies from the old cemetery. About 250 bodies were moved to Highland Cemetery. Then, they turned Prospect Cemetery into Prospect Park!
The park was designed with a beautiful lake, Luna Lake, which had a fountain. It also got a bandstand and a dance pavilion. In 1902, a large coastal defense cannon was added. The park also got a big makeover in the early 1980s to keep it looking great.
Where Can You Find Prospect Park?
Prospect Park is located in the northeast part of Ypsilanti. It has streets on three sides: East Cross Street to the south, North Prospect Road to the west, and Oak Street to the north. On its east side, there are houses that face Charles Street. The park has a small parking lot off East Cross Street, right next to The Bible Church.
What Fun Things Can You Do at Prospect Park?
Prospect Park has lots of cool features for everyone to enjoy! You can see the historic cannon, play basketball on the courts, or enjoy a game on the baseball field. There's also a large open area perfect for playing football.
Kids will love the many types of playground equipment. The park also has a dance pavilion and a Bandstand. If you want to have a picnic, there are grills and picnic tables available. And don't forget the small, pretty Luna Lake! There's even a small skateboarding park for the community.
What's the Story Behind the Park's Cannon?
The large cannon at Prospect Park was made in 1865 at West Point Foundry. After it was made, it was used to defend the coast at Fort McClary in Maine. On October 13, 1902, this impressive cannon was moved and placed in Prospect Park.
The mayor of Ypsilanti at the time, Oliver Thompson, really liked the cannon. When he found out it was going to be replaced, he asked to get it for the Carpenter Post of the G.A.R. This cannon is super heavy, weighing 26,820 pounds, and has a ten-inch barrel!
How Was Luna Lake Restored?
Luna Lake is a small lake located on the south side of Prospect Park. In 2008, people from the local neighborhood associations worked together to restore the lake. They did an amazing job, planting almost 1,500 plants in and around the lake to make it beautiful again.
Adams Math and Science Academy: A School Next to the Park
Adams Math and Science Academy is an elementary school in the Ypsilanti Public School District. It's right next to Prospect Park! The school was first called Prospect Elementary School in the early 1900s. In 1963, it was renamed to honor Olive M. Adams, who was the principal there for many years. Students from the school often use the park's playground equipment during recess. There are two main sets of playground equipment, with lots of slides, monkey bars, ropes to walk on, and balance beams for kids to play on.
