1. Travis Pedersen Ryan Nelson
Washington Park
Travis Pedersen
Ryan Nelson

2. Location Near Washington Street and Fourth Street
Plum Street was vacated and turned into the park

3. Recreation Play Structure 2-Picnic tables 3-Park benches
2-Waste deposits
56-Parking stalls
68-Trees
13,377 sq. ft. of sidewalk

4. Original fountain
The massive water fountain for many years was the center of Washington Park
The fountain has been gone for quite some time
This made way for large shade trees to provide adequate shade for children on the playground equipment
Picnic tables and park benches were also added

5. History of its Development
July 6, 1906 the last city council meeting was held for the city of Mankato
The meeting resulted with the purchase of two half blocks formerly occupied by the Omaha Railway company
On fourth street and Mulberry and Washington for park purposes

6. History continued…
The price that was discussed was for 3.5 acres of land for the price of $8,500 with about $1,200 of the purchase price to be paid by that part of the city north of Main Street
At first there was opposition to the purchase of the council’s recorder who refused to sign the document
After several meetings the problem was resolved and the contract was signed

7. EXTRA EXTRA!
November 25, 1914 the Mankato City Council had paid $5,500 on the purchase of Washington Park and in a few days would pay another $1,000, leaving only $1,000 of the original purchase price still unpaid according to the Mankato Weekly Ledger

8. Mayor Meyer’s approval
March 30, 1915 the last indebtedness of the property of Washington Park is paid by the city
Mayor Meyer said he thought it was one of the wisest things the city had ever undertaken
He thought the portion of fourth street adjacent to the park made that thoroughfare one of the most beautiful in the city

9. Present Washington Park is still in use
Even after almost a hundred year span of use, Mayor Meyer’s remark still holds true that Washington Park is truly a beautiful urban park set in a long-standing residential area

10. QUESTIONS???