| Garfield Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | City Park |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Coordinates | 39°43′55.49″N 86°08′31.27″W / 39.7320806°N 86.1420194°W / 39.7320806; -86.1420194 |
| Opened | 1881 (1881) |
| Operated by | Indy Parks and Recreation |
| Website | www |
Garfield Park is a 128-acre (52 ha) regional city park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Formed in the late 19th century, it is the oldest city park in Indianapolis and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is located at the confluenceofPleasant Run and Bean Creeks on the near Southside of Indianapolis. The 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) Conservatory and adjoining Sunken Gardens are located in the eastern portion of the park. The noted landscape architect George Kessler designed the Sunken Gardens along with many of the other features of the park.
In 1874 the Jeffersonville Railroad sold 98 acres (400,000 m2) of right-of-way to a horse track organization, which created the Southern Riding Park. However, the Southern Riding Park would prove to be an unsuccessful venture, in part because it was not easily accessible to the residents of the city. In 18xx the acreage was sold to N. R. Rucker, the Marion County sheriff, who himself sold the area to the city of Indianapolis for over $109,000.[1][2]
The city opened what was originally named Southern Park in 1881. The park was renamed for President James Garfield soon after his assassination in 1881. Additional land acquisitions in the early 20th century increased the size of Garfield Park to 128 acres (0.52 km2).
Garfield Park is bounded by Raymond Street on the north; South Garfield Drive, East Garfield Drive, and Shelby Street on the east; Southern Avenue on the south; and the Louisville and Indiana Railroad tracks on the west. Emmerich Manual High School lies directly to the west on the other side of the railroad track embankment.
Much of the park is rolling fields, due to its location at the confluence of Pleasant Run and Bean creeks. Pleasant Run enters the park from the north and flows southwest before existing on the west. Bean Creek enters from the south near Shelby Street and flows northwest until joining Pleasant Run. Several vehicle and pedestrian bridges span the streams; the oldest of these bridges are constructed of limestone.
Garfield Park is an integral component of the Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System designed by George Kessler. Pleasant Run Parkway passes through the park as it follows the stream from the East side of Indianapolis to the White River. The Pleasant Run Trail runs north from Garfield Park to Christian Park and Ellenberger Park, also following the creek.
A dam located where the two creeks meet at one time created a pond that was used for ice skating during the winter. That dam has since been removed. A 1992 tornado destroyed twenty percent of Garfield Park's trees.[1][2]
The first Garfield Park Conservatory building was built in 1915, with a replacement built thirty-nine years later in 1954. That building was renovated in 1990 and is the one still in use. The 10,000 square feet (930 m2) Conservatory is made of welded-aluminum and glass, and was the first of its kind in the United States.[1] It is located at 2505 Conservatory Drive.
The Conservatory features tree frogs, free-flying birds and tropical plants, including an Amazon River rainforest, a large collection of bromeliads, orchids, and other epiphytes planted in a natural setting, along with bonsai trees, and miscellaneous flowering plants. A chief attraction is the indoor 15-foot-tall (4.6 m) granite waterfall.[2] Visitors can guide themselves around the conservatory.
The Sunken Gardens (3 acres (1.2 ha)) were designed by the German-born landscape architect George E. Kessler and dedicated in 1916. They are European-style formal gardens, with three fountains, paved brick walkways, and benches. They are replanted three times a year with seasonal displays, taking advantage of the tulips of spring, the annuals of summer, and the mums of autumn. Its fountains and floral displays have held high-regard throughout the American Midwest since their 1916 dedication. The fountains, the work of F. W. Darlington, are an example of musical fountains with colored lights and synchronized music. Originally, fish ponds existed inside the Gardens, but have since disappeared.
Recent decades have been harder for the Gardens, but a rededication in 1998 and the founding of two different groups, the "Friends of Garfield Park Incorporated" and "Friends of Garfield Park Conservatory".[2][3]
Both the Conservatory and Gardens are open seven days a week, during business hours. During the Christmas season the Conservatory has its Annual Holiday Poinsettia Show.[4] In the summer, the Sunken gardens features concerts, collectively know as Music in the Garden. The grounds are available for weddings, but not for other private events.[2][3]
Also of note is Garfield Park's Pagoda. A curved copper roof covers the otherwise-open wrought iron, rock, and concrete structure. Built in 1903, it was intended to take advantage of the then-popular fad of opera.[1] Originally it also housed the superintendent's office, a storage room, and, in a lower level, public restrooms. The office and restrooms were later removed. The most recent renovation was in 1995, at which time the structure was made ADA-compliant.[5] A playground and parking are located directly to the south of the Pagoda.
There are also facilities of two other governmental units that have been constructed within the park boundaries in more recent years. The Shelby Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library is located on the eastern edge of the park at 2502 Shelby Street, near the Conservatory and Sunken Gardens. The 6,400 square feet (590 m2) building opened on November 8, 1965.[6] Station 29 of the Indianapolis Fire Department is located at 602 E. Pleasant Run Parkway, North Drive near the Grove of Remembrance in the northern section of the park; the station was opened on April 17, 1991.[7]
Three memorials are within the grounds of Garfield Park.
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[ [:Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1954]]
[ [:Category:Botanical gardens in Indiana]]
[ [:Category:Parks in Indianapolis, Indiana]]
[ [:Category:Urban public parks]]
