Pullen Park facts for kids
Pullen Park entrance
|
|
| Location | 520 Ashe Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27606 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°46′49″N 78°39′50″W / 35.78036°N 78.66383°W |
| Opened | March 22, 1887 |
| Owner | City of Raleigh |
| Website | Official Website: https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Pullen.html |
Pullen Park is a large public park in Raleigh, North Carolina. It covers about 66.4-acre (0.27 km2) of land. The park is located right next to North Carolina State University. It opened in 1887, making it the oldest public park in North Carolina!
Pullen Park has many fun things to do. You can find picnic spots and places to buy snacks. There are also several small rides like the Pullen Park Carousel, a train, and kiddie boats. You can even rent pedal boats on the park's small lake during warmer months. The Pullen Aquatic Center, Pullen Arts Center], and Theatre in the Park are also part of the park. It's one of the most famous parks in the Research Triangle area.
The East Coast Greenway trail, which stretches 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida, goes right through Pullen Park.
Contents
Discovering Pullen Park's History
Pullen Park started on March 22, 1887. A man named Richard Stanhope Pullen gave his farmland to the City of Raleigh. He wanted the land to be a fun place for everyone to enjoy. This land became Pullen Park, the very first public park in North Carolina. Mr. Pullen was a humble person and didn't want the park named after him.
Early Days and Growth
After the land was donated, a "Committee on Public Parks" was formed. Their job was to turn the farmland into a beautiful park. In 1888, a Park Keeper was hired to help with these changes. Mr. Pullen stayed involved, helping to plan and pay for bridges, roads, and paths. He also helped plant trees and make the park look nice. He even helped with the nearby NC State University, which was built on land he also donated.
In 1891, Mr. Pullen paid for a round pavilion for outdoor shows and a fountain. This fountain was near the city's first swimming pool. At first, only men could use the pool. But in 1895, rules changed, and women were allowed too. This pool was later replaced by the Pullen Aquatic Center in 1992.
Animals and Rides in the Past
From 1899 to 1938, Pullen Park even had a small zoo! It started with just two raccoons. But by 1903, it had many different animals. These included an Australian owl, mink, bears, alligators, and monkeys. The zoo closed, likely after the Park Keeper, Wiley Howell, passed away. The park's Lake Howell is named after him.
The park's first steam-powered merry-go-round was bought in 1914. It started running in 1915. But it wasn't in good shape. So, in 1921, the city bought the beautiful Dentzel carousel that is still there today.
Changes and Updates Over Time
People played baseball in Pullen Park for many years. An official baseball field was built in 1920, and another one was added later.
In 2000, the city started planning to update the park. They wanted to make it better for Raleigh's growing population. Many changes have been made since then. These include a new entrance and more parking. This makes the park easier for more people to visit.
It's important to know that during that time, some parts of the park, like the swimming pool, had rules that kept African-Americans from using them. However, the main areas of the park were open to everyone.
Pullen Park is very old! It is the 14th oldest amusement park in the world. This is according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association.
The park was closed for a long time, from December 2009 to November 2011. This was for big renovations. They built a new carousel house, a welcome center, and new restrooms. They also improved the train station and playground. Lake Howell was even drained and cleaned!
Meet the Founder: Richard Stanhope Pullen
Richard Stanhope Pullen was born in 1822 in Wake County. We don't know much about his early life. He didn't like being in the spotlight. As a young man, he worked for his uncle. Later, he inherited a lot of money. He used this money to help develop Raleigh.
Mr. Pullen gave land and money for city roads. He also helped with Peace College, UNC Greensboro, NC State University, and Edenton Street United Methodist Church. And, of course, he created Pullen Park. He stayed involved in planning and funding park improvements until he passed away in 1895.
For a long time, there was no monument to him in the park. People worried it might go against the rule that the land had to be for fun. But in 1992, a monument was finally put up. The most famous monument to him is his obelisk in Raleigh's Historic Oakwood Cemetery. Pullen Hall at NC State University is also named after him.
Fun Things to Do at Pullen Park
Besides the rides, Pullen Park has lots of other attractions. There are swing sets, sand areas, and other playground equipment for kids of all ages. You can also find lighted tennis courts and two ball fields. The lake has paddle boats, and there are many picnic areas. The park also has pretty paths and bridges.
The Aquatic Center and Arts Center offer classes for all ages. You can learn about fitness, swimming, and arts and crafts. This includes pottery, jewelry making, weaving, and glass art. Plays are often performed at the famous Theatre in the Park.
Pullen Aquatic Center
The Pullen Aquatic Center opened in 1992. It's one of four public swimming centers in Raleigh. It has an Olympic size swimming pool and a warm water therapy pool. There's also seating for people to watch, an outdoor patio, and locker rooms.
You can swim laps or just for fun. They also offer water exercise, therapy programs, and swim lessons. The center hosts many swimming and diving competitions each year. This includes the Special Olympics for the annual State Games of North Carolina.
Pullen Arts Center
The Pullen Arts Center offers classes in many creative areas. You can learn pottery, jewelry making, painting, printmaking, weaving, and glass arts. The center has great studios and equipment. Teachers and staff are there to help both experienced artists and beginners. The Arts Center also has a summer camp called Art4Fun for children. They hold special events and art shows throughout the year.
Theatre in the Park
Theatre in the Park started in 1947. It's an indoor theatre with air conditioning. You can find it at the north end of the park. It has a lounge, offices, a costume shop, and dressing rooms. The main performance space is called a 'black box' because it can be set up in different ways.
The theatre puts on at least four main shows each year. They also offer classes and workshops. It's known around the world. Locally, it's famous for Ira David Wood III's musical comedy version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." This show has been performed every year since 1974!
Andy Griffith Statue
Usually, statues are not placed in the park because of the rule about recreation. But in 2003, the TV network TV Land loaned a special statue to the park. It shows Andy and Opie Taylor from The Andy Griffith Show. This statue shows a famous scene from the show.
Some people from Mount Airy, North Carolina, where the show's town of Mayberry was based, thought the statue should be in their town instead. The statue has been damaged a few times, and its plaque was stolen. It was redesigned a bit to help protect it. Another statue of Andy and Opie was later put up in Mount Airy.
Red Caboose
There's a real Norfolk Southern Railway red caboose on display in the park. It has a Southern Railway paint scheme. Kids can go inside and explore it!
Exciting Rides at Pullen Park
Pullen Park has four rides that cost a small fee. You buy tickets at the office near the park entrance. Adults can ride all the rides except for the kiddie boats.
Kiddie Boats
The kiddie boats are just for small children. They slowly circle around a small pool.
Paddle Boats
You can rent Pedalos on Lake Howell by the half hour. Someone aged 16 or older must be on board. The paddle boats can hold up to four people. Life jackets are available for safety.
Miniature Train
A miniature train was added to the park in 1950. It goes through a tunnel and around the park. A second train and tunnel were added in 1971. The C.P. Huntington Train is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge train. It's a one-third sized working model of a real locomotive.
This train is a copy of a locomotive built in 1863. That original train went to San Francisco and was bought by the Central Pacific Railroad. It was named the C.P. Huntington after C.P. Huntington, who was then Vice President. The original train is now in Sacramento, CA.
Carousel
The Pullen Park Carousel was made around 1912. It was created by a master carver named Salvatore Cernigliaro from the Dentzel Carousel Company. It has 52 animals carved from basswood, two chariots, and 18 large mirrors. It also has a Wurlitzer 125 pipe organ from 1924.
The Dentzel Carousel Company was the first American carousel company. Thousands of carousels were made in the U.S., but only about 200 antique carousels are left today. Fewer than 25 of those are Dentzel carousels, and only 14 are still running! The carousel sometimes closes for repairs, but it's worth it to keep this beautiful old ride working. Many generations have enjoyed riding a giraffe, pony, or ostrich on this carousel. It's the park's most popular attraction.
This carousel was first in Bloomsbury Park in Raleigh. It moved to Pullen Park in 1921. The city bought it for only $1,425, which was a great deal! Even though some people were upset about the cost at the time, they soon loved the new carousel.
,_Pullen_Park_Carousel.jpg)
The carousel had a big restoration from 1977 to 1982. During this time, the original paint colors were found and saved. Each animal was restored to its exact original color. This was the first time such a restoration had been done!
In 1976, the carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a special Raleigh Historic Landmark.
