Along the Root River, to the S of Spring Stand to the N of Washington Ave
Root River Parks (Island, Riverside, Cedar Bend, and Washington Parks)
100011952
Along the Root River, to the S of Spring Stand to the N of Washington Ave
Racine
Racine
Summary
Root River Parks (Island, Riverside, Cedar Bend, and Washington Parks)
Along the Root River, to the South of Spring Street and to the north of Washington Avenue, Racine, Racine County
Architects: Jens Jensen (landscape architect); Guilbert & Funston (architect); J. Mandor Matson (architect); Hans Geyer (architect)
The Root River Parks (Island, Riverside, Cedar Bend, and Washington Parks) are significant as they demonstrate the Racine Board of Park Commissioners’ initiation of a citywide park system in the early twentieth century, which was a milestone in local planning and the foundation of what is now a much larger system of parks and green spaces. The Commission raised private funding over seven years to establish a cohesive group of four parks that are connected along both sides of the Root River, designed for the public to take advantage of the scenic vistas from the existing natural waterway. Additionally, the park facilities, including athletic fields, playgrounds, and a golf course, demonstrate the evolving history of recreation in Racine.
The Parks are also significant as a good representative example of the Prairie style of landscape architecture as designed by Jens Jensen, a nationally recognized Midwestern landscape architect. The Parks include characteristic features of the Prairie style of landscape architecture, including native vegetation, a central water feature, gently curving circulation pattern, and long open meadows. The city-wide park system continues to link park units, pedestrian and vehicular paths, and a golf course, including the associated Island Park, Riverside Park, Cedar Bend Park, Washington Park, Horlick Drive, Root River Pathway, and Washington Park Golf Course.
Property Details
Resources Within The Property
Designations
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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RIVERSIDE PARK, CEDAR BEND PARK
232237
Located in Racine, Racine County
Root River Parks Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Tuesday, July 01, 2025
The Wisconsin Historical Society announces the listing of the Root River Parks in the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 2025.
