photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: ONCE UPON A TIME IN LIONS PARK
This photo shows what Lions Park in Freeman looked like in the middle of the previous century and was taken looking to the south-southwest. Heritage Hall Museum & Archives posted this photo with the following information taken from the 1979 centennial book, “Freeman Facts, Freeman Fiction.”
“In 1930 the old public school ground was turned into a park. Organizations involved in the project were the American Legion and Auxiliary, Lions Club, Dorcas Society and the Ladies Aid of the churches. Landscaping was done, hedges and trees were planted and tall swings and other types of playground equipment were installed. A band and speakers platform was erected. Picnic tables, a fireplace and a drinking fountain were built. A horseshoe court was there too.“A local sculptor, Jonas Kaufman, constructed a lion which was placed on a concrete foundation. Many little ones enjoyed rides on the lion’s back. At the northeast corner, a trench mortar on a concrete foundation was placed by the American Legion. Restrooms were on the far west end.“There was something for young and old and everyone enjoyed this park. Enjoyed? ‘Tis queer what some people consider fun in the course of years. There was continual pilfering of the cannonballs from the trench mortar. It was finally decided to move this installation.
“Enough fun? Oh no! On Halloween night 1971 some young ones, too old to ride the lions back, engaged him in battle. The proud lion fell! Too hurt and battle-scarred to be repaired. Then they moved upon the water fountain and destroyed it our park is still there and being some our park is still here and still being enjoyed. But some beautiful memories are no more,” the book’s 1979 history concluded.
In the years that followed, Lions Park has evolved with renovations and improvements, including picnic shelters and tables, new restrooms, new playground equipment and trees. Although Lion’s Park is a city park, over the years the Freeman Lions Club has continued to take interest in and support the park.
