Recreation Park (Binghamton) facts for kids

Recreation Park is a fun public park located in Binghamton, New York. You can find it in the city's West Side. A famous shoe maker named George F. Johnson created the park. It's special because it has one of his six amazing carousels! You can also find a bandstand for concerts, cool statues, sports fields, a playground, and nice paths for walking.

Park History

How the Park Started

Before it became a park, this land was mostly farmland. In October 1921, George F. Johnson, who started the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corp., bought about 18 acres of land. He then gave this land to the City of Binghamton as a gift.

Mr. Johnson had one important rule for his gift: the land had to stay a public park forever. He wanted the city to always take good care of it. If the land was ever used for something else, it would go back to his family.

Fun Additions to the Park

The famous Herschell carousel was added in 1925. It plays music from a special Wurlitzer #146-B Band Organ. There's also a bathhouse, which used to have a red tile roof and is still used today. In the summer, the bandstand hosts fun concerts. A long time ago, there was even a giant wooden toboggan slide, but it was sadly lost in a fire.

Bringing the Park Back to Life

By the 1980s, the park needed a lot of help. Many parts were worn out. But people worked hard to fix it up! They restored the bandstand, making it beautiful again. In 2004, the reflecting pool and its statue, called "Boy with Fish," were also repaired.

A Nod to The Twilight Zone

There's a special plaque in the bandstand that honors Rod Serling. He grew up in Binghamton and was the creator of the famous TV show The Twilight Zone. People say the carousel in Recreation Park inspired an episode called "Walking Distance". This plaque and the episode are even mentioned in the 2015 movie The Rewrite, which takes place in Binghamton.