The Marshall County Historical Society and Museum will open a new exhibit in the Marshall Gallery on February 15 called “Roots of Recreation: A History of Marshall County Parks.”
The exhibit will open to the public at 10 a.m. ET with coffee and pastries. At 10:30 a.m. ET, County Historian Kurt Garner will speak on the WPA projects located in Marshall County parks.
The history of parks in Marshall County often coincides with the evolution of parks throughout the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. According to online sources, the history of American parks can be traced to an earlier source, the Boston Common, established in 1634 and considered America’s first public park. One of its original uses was as communal grazing space. It was also used for public gatherings, as were such spaces locally.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the growth of towns and cities, here and nationally, created a surge in the creation of city parks. These often-replicated rural settings, featuring groves of trees, water features and winding pathways. Central Park in New York revolutionized this type of park design, following the Romantic ideals of engaging with nature. Plymouth’s Centennial Park and Culver’s Vandalia Railroad Park are local examples.
As rural landscapes and an economic emphasis on farming continued to shift, towns continued to grow, creating a demand for smaller neighborhood parks. Local examples might include Bremen’s Sunnyside and Shadyside. The Progressive Era of the early 20th century led to the creation of “reform parks,” smaller-scale parks that allowed children to play in their own neighborhoods. Playgrounds became a common feature during this era, in addition to ball fields and swimming pools. More modern developments included a new emphasis on pocket parks in the 1960s, small-scale parks that often turn an often-overlooked space into a small oasis.
The creation and change of Marshall County parks over time teaches us about the changing lives of local residents and points to what was important to them, especially when it comes to recreation, preservation and conservation.
Visit the Marshall County Historical Society and Museum at 123 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. For more information, please call 574-936-2306.
