Theodore Wirth
Encyclopedia
Theodore Wirth was instrumental in designing the Minneapolis system of parks. Swiss
-born, he was widely regarded as the dean of the local parks movement in America. The various titles he was given included administrator of parks, horticulturalist, and park planner. Before emigrating
to America
in 1888, he worked as a florist and landscaper in Zurich
, London
, and Paris
. He married Leonie Mense, the daughter of his employer in Glen Cove, Long Island
, before taking a job as superintendent of parks in Hartford, Connecticut
in 1896, where he developed the first municipal rose
garden in the country.
In 1906, the city of Minneapolis offered him the position of Superintendent of Parks in that fast-growing Midwest
city. His goal provided for a playground within a quarter-mile of every child and a complete recreation center within a half-mile of every family. During his 30-year tenure there, he expanded the park system from 1810 acres (7 km²) to 5241 acres (21 km²), in a city of 37,387 acres (14%). Park land included parks, golf
courses, flower gardens and boulevards. Unlike earlier park planners, he believed that parks ought to be used by the residents. His park development is enjoyed daily by residents and visitors on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
, at Minnehaha Falls
, along the 12 miles (19.3 km) path following Minnehaha Creek, at Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun
, Lyndale Park
, and scores of other public open spaces in Minneapolis. The lakes, parks, and outdoor recreation areas that Minneapolis features are often cited by users as one of the most important factors in their quality of life.
Several Minneapolis recreation areas bear his name, including the 38 acres (153,780.7 m²) Wirth Lake, which is in Theodore Wirth Park
. At 743 acres (3 km²), it is by far the largest park in the Minneapolis park system. The Theodore Wirth House-Administration Building
is on the National Register of Historic Places
because "it was built as a home for Theodore Wirth, an international figure in the field of park design" and "his administration offices within the building were the actual location where Theodore Wirth designed or redesigned the award-winning Minneapolis parks."
The house was constructed to Wirth’s specification and located in a corner of Lyndale Farmstead Park. Wirth wanted to be inspired by watching people using parks. In 2004, the Theodore Wirth Statue Garden, designed by his grandson Theodore J. Wirth, was opened. The sculpture, by Bill Rains, consists of a 115% sized bronze statue of Wirth surrounded by twelve children representing the diverse population of Minneapolis and his policies of equal access for all people regardless of race or economic status.
Wirth left his legacy in Minneapolis and via his three children: Conrad L. Wirth became director of the National Park Service
; Walter L. Wirth was superintendent of parks in New Haven, Connecticut
, and superintendent of the Salem, Oregon
, Regional Parks System. The third son, Theodore enjoyed a distinguished career, attaining the rank of admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
-born, he was widely regarded as the dean of the local parks movement in America. The various titles he was given included administrator of parks, horticulturalist, and park planner. Before emigrating
Emigrate
Emigrate is a heavy metal band based in New York, led by Richard Z. Kruspe, the lead guitarist of the German band Rammstein.-History:Kruspe started the band in 2005, when Rammstein decided to take a year off from touring and recording...
to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1888, he worked as a florist and landscaper in Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He married Leonie Mense, the daughter of his employer in Glen Cove, Long Island
Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
, before taking a job as superintendent of parks in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
in 1896, where he developed the first municipal rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
garden in the country.
In 1906, the city of Minneapolis offered him the position of Superintendent of Parks in that fast-growing Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
city. His goal provided for a playground within a quarter-mile of every child and a complete recreation center within a half-mile of every family. During his 30-year tenure there, he expanded the park system from 1810 acres (7 km²) to 5241 acres (21 km²), in a city of 37,387 acres (14%). Park land included parks, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
courses, flower gardens and boulevards. Unlike earlier park planners, he believed that parks ought to be used by the residents. His park development is enjoyed daily by residents and visitors on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is a linked series of park areas in Minneapolis, Minnesota that takes a roughly circular path through the city. The corridors include roads for automobile traffic plus paths for pedestrians and bicycles, and extend slightly into neighboring cities...
, at Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Creek is a tributary of the Mississippi River located in Hennepin County, Minnesota that extends from Lake Minnetonka in the west and flows east for 22 miles through several suburbs west of Minneapolis and then through south Minneapolis. Including Lake Minnetonka, the watershed for the...
, along the 12 miles (19.3 km) path following Minnehaha Creek, at Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun
Lake Calhoun
Lake Calhoun is the biggest lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and part of the city's Chain of Lakes. Surrounded by city park land and circled by bike and walking trails, it is popular for many outdoor activities...
, Lyndale Park
Lyndale Park
Lyndale Park is located on the northeast side of Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is adjacent to the Lakewood Cemetery and between Lakes Calhoun and Lake Harriet. It is part of an enormous greenspace circling through Minneapolis called the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, and is one of the...
, and scores of other public open spaces in Minneapolis. The lakes, parks, and outdoor recreation areas that Minneapolis features are often cited by users as one of the most important factors in their quality of life.
Theodore Wirth Park
Theodore Wirth Park is the largest park managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The park land is shared by Minneapolis and the neighboring suburb of Golden Valley. The park includes two golf courses , Wirth Lake, Birch Pond, and other amenities...
. At 743 acres (3 km²), it is by far the largest park in the Minneapolis park system. The Theodore Wirth House-Administration Building
Theodore Wirth House-Administration Building
The Theodore Wirth House is a house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, that was home to Theodore Wirth, an influential architect of the Minneapolis park system. Wirth was superintendent of the Minneapolis park system from 1906 through 1935, when he retired, and he continued to serve as...
is 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...
because "it was built as a home for Theodore Wirth, an international figure in the field of park design" and "his administration offices within the building were the actual location where Theodore Wirth designed or redesigned the award-winning Minneapolis parks."
The house was constructed to Wirth’s specification and located in a corner of Lyndale Farmstead Park. Wirth wanted to be inspired by watching people using parks. In 2004, the Theodore Wirth Statue Garden, designed by his grandson Theodore J. Wirth, was opened. The sculpture, by Bill Rains, consists of a 115% sized bronze statue of Wirth surrounded by twelve children representing the diverse population of Minneapolis and his policies of equal access for all people regardless of race or economic status.
Wirth left his legacy in Minneapolis and via his three children: Conrad L. Wirth became director of the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
; Walter L. Wirth was superintendent of parks in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, and superintendent of the Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, Regional Parks System. The third son, Theodore enjoyed a distinguished career, attaining the rank of admiral in the U.S. Navy.