Prospect Park (Ypsilanti, Michigan)
Encyclopedia
Prospect Park is a 9.5 acre park in the northeast corner of Ypsilanti, Michigan
, and is the oldest park in Ypsilanti. This park, which was originally a cemetery, is the home of a retired coastal defense cannon from Maine, and is currently the home of the restored Luna Lake. The park is one block from Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town
, where the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and many car shows are hosted in the summer.
, in 1842. In 1864 Highland Cemetery
opened just 1/2 mile away, and the use of Prospect Cemetery declined sharply. Beginning in 1891, a group of local women raised funds to move the bodies around 250 to Highland Cemetery and transform Prospect Cemetery into Prospect Park, complete with a lake (Luna Lake) with a fountain, a bandstand, and a dance pavilion. A coastal defense cannon was added in 1902, and the park underwent a noteworthy restoration in the early 1980s.
. Other features include grills and picnic tables, and a small lake called Luna Lake.
in Maine. On October 13, 1902, it was set in place at Prospect Park. The mayor of Ypsilanti, Oliver Thompson, admired the cannon, and 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.
located adjacent to Prospect Park. Children from the school use the park playground equipment at recess. There are two major sets of playground equipment, including many slides, a few sets of monkey bars, ropes to walk on, and balance beams.
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,362. The city is bounded to the north by the Charter Township of Superior and on the west, south, and east by the Charter Township of Ypsilanti...
, and is the oldest park in Ypsilanti. This park, which was originally a cemetery, is the home of a retired coastal defense cannon from Maine, and is currently the home of the restored Luna Lake. The park is one block from Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town
Depot Town
Depot Town is a commercial area, with some residences above storefronts, in Ypsilanti, Michigan's historic district. Depot Town proper consists of East Cross Street from the Huron River to North River Street, and a small area on the 300-block of North River Street. However, several blocks in the...
, where the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and many car shows are hosted in the summer.
History
The land that is today called Prospect Park began as Prospect Cemetery, Ypsilanti's second cemeteryCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
, in 1842. In 1864 Highland Cemetery
Highland Cemetery
Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti, Michigan is a cemetery founded in 1864. It was designed by Col. James Lewis Glenn in 1863.The cemetery is the site of the Starkweather Memorial Chapel which was commissioned by Mary Ann Starkweather to honor her husband. The chapel, an example of Richardsonian...
opened just 1/2 mile away, and the use of Prospect Cemetery declined sharply. Beginning in 1891, a group of local women raised funds to move the bodies around 250 to Highland Cemetery and transform Prospect Cemetery into Prospect Park, complete with a lake (Luna Lake) with a fountain, a bandstand, and a dance pavilion. A coastal defense cannon was added in 1902, and the park underwent a noteworthy restoration in the early 1980s.
Location
Located near the northeast corner of Ypsilanti, Prospect Park is bounded on the south by East Cross Street, on the west by North Prospect Road, on the north by Oak Street, and on the east by a row of houses which face Charles Street. The park has a small parking lot off East Cross Street, in the southeast corner of the park, next to The Bible Church.Features
Prospect Park has many features including a cannon, basketball courts, a baseball field, a large area of open land used as a football field, many types of playground equipment, a dance pavilion, and a BandstandBandstand
A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts...
. Other features include grills and picnic tables, and a small lake called Luna Lake.
Cannon
The cannon at Prospect Park was cast in 1865 at West Point Foundry. After being cast, it was used as a coastal defense gun at Fort McClaryFort McClary
Fort McClary is a former defensive fortification of the United States military located along the southern coast of Maine at Kittery Point, the seaside district of Kittery. Used primarily throughout the 19th century, it was built to protect approaches to the nearby Piscataqua River...
in Maine. On October 13, 1902, it was set in place at Prospect Park. The mayor of Ypsilanti, Oliver Thompson, admired the cannon, and 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.
Luna Lake
Luna Lake is a small lake located on the south side of Prospect Park. In 2008 the lake was restored by area neighborhood associations. Area residents planted nearly 1,500 plants in and around the lake.Adams Math and Science Academy
Adams is an elementary school in the Ypsilanti Public School DistrictYpsilanti Public School District
The Ypsilanti Public School District is a public school district in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Its State of Michigan School District code is 81020.As of the 2006-2007 school year, the district uses the four-tier system composed of Pre-K/K, 1-5, 6-8, and 9-12 Grade Levels that it has used since the...
located adjacent to Prospect Park. Children from the school use the park playground equipment at recess. There are two major sets of playground equipment, including many slides, a few sets of monkey bars, ropes to walk on, and balance beams.