| |
Recreation - WEST MARKET SQUARE PARK
|
West Market Square is located at 15th and Monroe Streets. The park covers one full city block bound by Monroe, 15th, Court and 16th Streets. The name comes out of the history of Fort Calhoun, when the original town site was laid out and plated in the 1850s it contained three market squares. These properties were owned by the city and intended for public use. Originally they were meant as a gathering place where folks could conduct business. West Market Square has remained a green space dedicated to public use.
|
Two thirds of the park is the side of a gently sloping hill with a creek meandering at its base. The portion of the park on the opposite bank of the creek is quiet flat and contains many of the parks features.
|
The park can be accessed from Court, Monroe and 15th streets. It has side walks on both Monroe and 15th Streets. Parking is also available along Monroe and 15th Streets.
|
| It has a pavilion and a number of picnic areas. |
|
| It has a modern restroom with an attached water fountain. |
|
| It contains a basket ball half court and a variety of play ground equipment for children to enjoy |
|
It contains two historical items, a pink granite boulder placed by the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) on the centennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition to commemorate that event. The 1904 celebration took place in Fort Calhoun as it is the site of the Council Bluff, where Lewis and Clark had their first meeting with Native Americans, the Oto-Missouria Tribe.
|
| The second is a mill stone from the flour mill that was located in Fort Calhoun during its earliest days. As an interesting side note, the mill and mill pond needed to power the mill were located in part of what is current day Pioneer Park. |
| |
| |
