Hiawatha School Park

Hiawatha School Park is a compact zone of activity and leisure. Featuring playing fields, a playground and a wading pool there is something here for the enjoyment of everyone.

Hiawatha School Park is located adjacent to Hiawatha School, which allows for an ideal connection between the park and school. One fabulous example of the fun that grows from this agreement is the yearly carnival held each spring.

In 1931 Hiawatha School had extra property on which they hoped to establish a playground. The Board of Education transferred the four acres of land to the Park & Recreation Board to build a small park next to the school.

The park was named after the school, which took its name for the legendary hero “Hiawatha” in Longfellow’s poem, Song of Hiawatha.

It wasn’t until eight years after the initial plan that the Work Progress America (WPA) program helped create the park. A large skating rink, two ball fields, two tennis courts and a general play area were constructed at that time.

The park has continued to thrive and a lot of changes have been made over the last 70 years. Renovations included a wading pool, hockey rink and basketball court. In 1978 a neighborhood center was built. Recent improvements were made along the walkways, as well as a handicap-accessible playground.