Hagerstown City Park
Encyclopedia
Hagerstown City Park is a public urban park
just southwest of the central business district
of Hagerstown, Maryland
, United States
. The park is located at the junction of Virginia Avenue, Key Street, Walnut Street, Prospect Street, and Memorial Boulevard.
to City Park.
City Park has been called "America's Second Most Beautiful City Park" and has been designated as a local Preservation Design District since 1989. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1990. The district also includes the surrounding industrial area and residential neighborhoods. It consists largely of a late 19th and early 20th century residential area with most houses dating from 1890-1930.
Additionally, many of Hagerstown's most visited museums can be found within City Park:
Urban park
An urban park, is also known as a municipal park or a public park, public open space or municipal gardens , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of, and visitors to, the municipality...
just southwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The park is located at the junction of Virginia Avenue, Key Street, Walnut Street, Prospect Street, and Memorial Boulevard.
History
In 1916, under pressure from the public, the City of Hagerstown purchased land to be used for the City Park. The Maryland State General Assembly passed a bill creating a five-member Park Commission in 1918. Three years later, a swamp in the park was drained creating Lower Lake. And in 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Singer donated the Washington County Museum of Fine ArtsWashington County Museum of Fine Arts
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum located in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. The building is located off Park Circle and serves as a centerpiece in Hagerstown City Park. The museum was donated in 1929 by Mr. and Mrs. William Singer, Jr. It was completed in 1931 and two...
to City Park.
City Park has been called "America's Second Most Beautiful City Park" and has been designated as a local Preservation Design District since 1989. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1990. The district also includes the surrounding industrial area and residential neighborhoods. It consists largely of a late 19th and early 20th century residential area with most houses dating from 1890-1930.
Attractions
There are numerous walking paths and playgrounds in the park as well as athletic facilities such as lighted tennis courts and a baseball field. An outdoor concert stage which holds city events including part of Western Maryland Blues Fest is located in the center of City Park. Also within the park is Park Plaza, a luxury condominium complex.Additionally, many of Hagerstown's most visited museums can be found within City Park:
- Washington County Museum of Fine ArtsWashington County Museum of Fine ArtsWashington County Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum located in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. The building is located off Park Circle and serves as a centerpiece in Hagerstown City Park. The museum was donated in 1929 by Mr. and Mrs. William Singer, Jr. It was completed in 1931 and two...
- Mansion House Art Gallery
- Western Maryland 202 Locomotive Display and MuseumWestern Maryland 202Western Maryland 202 is a retired 4-6-2 steam locomotive displayed in City Park, Hagerstown, Maryland. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. 202 was cosmetically restored in 2008.-References:* from www.steamlocomotive.info*...
- Hager House and Museum, once home to Jonathan HagerJonathan HagerJonathan Hager is the founder of Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. He was born in Germany and fought in the French and Indian War serving out of Fort Frederick.-History:...
, founder of Hagerstown.
External links
- City Park History
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
- Jonathan Hager House
- Western Maryland Ry. 202
- Hagerstown City Park Historic District, Washington County, including photo from 1989, at Maryland Historical Trust
- Boundary Map of the Hagerstown City Park Historic District, Washington County, at Maryland Historical Trust
