Columbus Parks

Parks, or open spaces reserved for recreational use, began in ancient Greece with the creation of public gardens. Romans continued the tradition. During the Middle Ages, wealthy men set aside grounds for hunting. One of the earliest parks for public use was the Alameda de Hércules in Seville, Spain, built in 1574. The idea of public green spaces existed in Europe and was brought to America by white settlers. In 1682, William Penn’s plan for Philadelphia included five acres of reserved green space and James Oglethorpe’s 1733 plan for Savannah established a ward system, with each neighborhood organized around a public square. Boston Common was set aside as a pasture for cattle.