Marconi Park: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Typo)
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Marconi Park''' (formerly '''East Park''') is a 3.7-acre [[List of Birmingham parks|public park]] located on [[Block --]] in [[Birmingham]]'s [[Central City neighborhood|Central City]] neighborhood. It is a centerpiece of the [[Park Place Apartments]] mixed-income residential development.
'''Marconi Park''' (formerly '''East Park''') is a 3.7-acre [[List of Birmingham parks|public park]] located on [[Block 29]], between [[24th Street North|24th]] and [[25th Street North|25th Street]] and [[6th Avenue North|6th]] and [[7th Avenue North]] in [[Birmingham]]'s [[Central City neighborhood|Central City]] neighborhood. It is a centerpiece of the [[Park Place Apartments]] mixed-income residential development.


The park property was one of the three downtown park blocks (along with [[Linn Park]] (Central Park) and [[Kelly Ingram Park]] (West Park) that appeared in Major [[William Barker]]'s original [[Plat of Birmingham]] in [[1872]]. The three parks were sold by the [[Elyton Land Company]] to the City of Birmingham on [[February 21]], [[1883]] for a nominal price of $10 each. East Park was later renamed in honor of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937).
The park property was one of the three downtown park blocks (along with [[Linn Park]] (Central Park) and [[Kelly Ingram Park]] (West Park) that appeared in Major [[William Barker]]'s original [[Plat of Birmingham]] in [[1872]]. The three parks were sold by the [[Elyton Land Company]] to the City of Birmingham on [[February 21]], [[1883]] for a nominal price of $10 each.
 
On [[January 19]], [[1908]] a public play ground was dedicated at East Park, as the city's first foray into the "playgrounds movement". Facilities added to the park included a running track, jumping pits, tennis courts, and vaulting pits for use by [[Birmingham High School]] and [[Powell School]] students, as well as the public. Governor [[B. B. Comer]] and Mayor [[George Ward]] spoke at the playground's dedication, along with J. B. McCabe of the Amateur Athletic Union of America.
 
East Park was later renamed in honor of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937).


A community center for Marconi Park was included in the Park Board's long-range plans, approved by the [[Birmingham Planning Commission]] in [[1973]]. A [[YMCA Youth Center]] now adjoins the north side of the park.
A community center for Marconi Park was included in the Park Board's long-range plans, approved by the [[Birmingham Planning Commission]] in [[1973]]. A [[YMCA Youth Center]] now adjoins the north side of the park.
Line 10: Line 14:


==References==
==References==
* "[http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4017coll2/id/32 3 parks 'given' to city are now worth $2 million]" (August 18, 1858) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* "Formal Opening of Play Ground." (December 24, 1907) {{BN}}, p. 10
* "[http://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4017coll2/id/32 3 parks 'given' to city are now worth $2 million]" (August 18, 1958) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}}
* Natta, André (May 9, 2007) "[http://bhamterminal.com/2007/05/09/marconi-park-charette-set-for-may-24/ Marconi Park charette set for May 24]" ''The Terminal''
* Natta, André (May 9, 2007) "[http://bhamterminal.com/2007/05/09/marconi-park-charette-set-for-may-24/ Marconi Park charette set for May 24]" ''The Terminal''
* Tomberlin, Michael (August 13, 2010) "Next phase planned for Birmingham's Park Place mixed-income housing." {{BN}}
* Tomberlin, Michael (August 13, 2010) "Next phase planned for Birmingham's Park Place mixed-income housing." {{BN}}
Line 16: Line 21:


[[Category:Marconi Park|*]]
[[Category:Marconi Park|*]]
[[Category:Block 29]]

Revision as of 21:00, 5 March 2020

Marconi Park (formerly East Park) is a 3.7-acre public park located on Block 29, between 24th and 25th Street and 6th and 7th Avenue North in Birmingham's Central City neighborhood. It is a centerpiece of the Park Place Apartments mixed-income residential development.

The park property was one of the three downtown park blocks (along with Linn Park (Central Park) and Kelly Ingram Park (West Park) that appeared in Major William Barker's original Plat of Birmingham in 1872. The three parks were sold by the Elyton Land Company to the City of Birmingham on February 21, 1883 for a nominal price of $10 each.

On January 19, 1908 a public play ground was dedicated at East Park, as the city's first foray into the "playgrounds movement". Facilities added to the park included a running track, jumping pits, tennis courts, and vaulting pits for use by Birmingham High School and Powell School students, as well as the public. Governor B. B. Comer and Mayor George Ward spoke at the playground's dedication, along with J. B. McCabe of the Amateur Athletic Union of America.

East Park was later renamed in honor of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937).

A community center for Marconi Park was included in the Park Board's long-range plans, approved by the Birmingham Planning Commission in 1973. A YMCA Youth Center now adjoins the north side of the park.

The Carraway Community Development Corporation organized a town hall meeting and charette to discuss renovations to Marconi Park in May 2007. Cheryl Morgan of the Auburn Urban Studio attended along with representatives from KPS Group and Space One Eleven. Another design charette was held with Sloss Real Estate executive Cathy Crenshaw and Loeb Fellows from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2010. At that time the need to increase amenities at the park for use by neighborhood residents was emphasized.

The park, with its combination baseball and football field, is heavily used by youth athletic leagues. A concession stand and scorekeepers' booth was damaged in a storm in 2013. The park remained without functioning lighting and a scoreboard until 2015.

References

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Marconi_Park&oldid=164981"