Steele Indian School Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steele Indian School Park
Steele Indian School Park entrance
Location	Encanto Village, Phoenix, Arizona
Created	2001 (2001)
Public transit access	Indian School Road and Central Avenue
Website	https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/parks/alphabetical/s-parks/steele-indian-school

Steele Indian School Park is a cool park located in Phoenix, Arizona. You can find it at the corner of Indian School Road and Central Avenue in a part of Phoenix called Encanto Village.

Park Location

Indian School Road is a main street that goes from east to west. It connects downtown Phoenix with many western towns like Avondale and Goodyear. To the east, this road leads to Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The park is right in the middle of this busy area.

Park History

Phoenix Indian School

This park is built on the land where the Phoenix Indian School used to be. This was one of many boarding schools run by the U.S. government. These schools started in the late 1800s. Their goal was to teach Native American children to live like people in the wider American society.

However, these schools later became a topic of discussion. They tried to make Native American students forget their own cultures and languages. The Phoenix school opened in 1892. By the late 1980s, it was decided the school was no longer needed. Most Native students were going to regular schools or schools on their own reservations. Also, the land the school was on had become very valuable. The school closed for good in 1990. The buildings were empty for a few years.

How the Park Was Made

The city of Phoenix got the land in 1996. This happened through a special land trade with a company and the government. A trust fund of $35 million was also set up to help educate Native children in Arizona.

The park is named after Horace C. Steele. He was a local businessman who gave a lot of money to good causes. His foundation donated $2.5 million to help start building the park. Steele Indian School Park officially opened in late 2001.

A group called the Phoenix Indian School Preservation Coalition helped with the park's design. They wanted to make sure the park included features that honored Native American culture and history.

What You Can Do at the Park

The park and its ponds are open almost every day of the year. You can easily get there by taking the METRO Light Rail to the Central at Indian School station.

Some of the old Phoenix Indian School buildings are still there. They are being fixed up because they are important historic places. People who used to go to the school hope to turn some buildings into a museum. This museum would share the school's history and celebrate Native American culture.

Events at the Park

The park often hosts a Native American arts and crafts fair. This event is organized by the Pueblo Grande Museum and the Arizona Indian Festival. It's a great place to see and learn about Native American art.

The city of Phoenix also holds its yearly Fourth of July fireworks show at the park. It's a popular spot to celebrate Independence Day!

Historic Buildings at the Park