Prospect Park (Ypsilanti, Michigan) is one of the many historical sites in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This park is filled with many important pieces of Ypsilanti's history, it is the home of a cannon from a past war, used to be a burial ground,and is currently the home of the restored Luna Lake. This park is just a block away from Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town, where the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and also many car shows are hosted in the Summer.
History
editA very important piece of the history of Prospect Park is that it used to be a Cemetery. Around 250 people were buried at this site and in 1864[1], all of the bodies were dug up and placed at Highland Cemetery[2]. After all of these bodies were removed, this area was transformed into a park. Another very important part of the parks history is the cannon, this cannon is a focal point of Prospect Park.[3]
Features
editProspect park has many features including the cannon, basketball courts, a baseball field, a large area of open land that is used as a football field, many different types of playground equipment for kids, a dance pavilion and a Bandstand although these things are no longer used for the same purpose, they are used for a place to ear, and occasionally birthday parties. Other features include grills and picnic tables for families to cook out, and also a small lake called Luna Lake.
The cannon
editThe cannon located at Prospect Park was cast in 1865 at West Point Foundry. After being cast, it was used as a coastal defense gun at fort McCleary in Maine.[4] On October 13th of 1902, it was set in place at Prospect Park. The mayor of Ypsilanti, Oliver Thompson, admired the cannon, when he learned that it was to be replaced, he applied to get it for the city. The Cannon weighs 10 tons and has a ten inch barrel. It has been at Prospect Park for over 100 years.
Luna Lake
editLuna lake is a small lake located at Prospect Park near Cross Street. This Lake was restored by associations located near the park, people from these associations planted trees and other plants and cleaned up around this area.[5] Now new wildlife lives here and it is a healthy lake.
Adams Math and Science Academy
editAdams is an elementary school located right next to Prospect Park. Adams is part of the Ypsilanti Public School District, the children who go to this school use the playground equipment at recess. Their and two major sets of playground equipment, these major sets consist of many slides, a few sets of monkey bars, ropes to walk on, and balance beams.
References
edit- ^ http://arborwiki.org/city/Prospect_Park
- ^ http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&pq=highland+cemetery&xhr=t&cp=19&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&wrapid=tljp130091489258102&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=highland+cemetery+ypsilanti&fb=1&gl=us&hq=highland+cemetery&hnear=Ypsilanti,+MI&cid=15442781372632433431
- ^ http://ppna.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/cannon-in-prospect-park/
- ^ http://www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/markers/marker9.html
- ^ http://www.east-cross.com/?p=502