Olmsted
-
Martin
Luther King Jr. Park _______________________________________________________________________
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park: A Tale of Two Parks
MLK
Park actually represents two distinct landscape designs, prepared 25 years apart.
The original 1871 design called for The Parade to become the site of military
drills. In 1896, a new design for the park was prepared by the Olmsted firm and
included formal water features: a large circular fountain, a rectangular basin
for aquatic plants, and a huge wading pool more than 500 feet in diameter. At
the same time, the Park Board changed the park's name to Humboldt Park.
In
1977, the park was renamed in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A large monument
bust of Dr. King is prominately located at the park.
The
Science Museum is located in Martin
Luther King Jr. park at what would have been the terminal vista of Humboldt Parkway.
MLK
Park actually represents two distinct landscape designs, prepared 25 years apart.
The original 1871 design called for The Parade to become the site of military
drills. In 1896, a new design for the park was prepared by the Olmsted firm and
included formal water features: a large circular fountain, a rectangular basin
for aquatic plants, and a huge wading pool more than 500 feet in diameter. At
the same time, the Park Board changed the park's name to Humboldt Park. 