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Book

Pictorial review of Kalamazoo's park & recreation system

Call Number

  • H 977.418 U821 (CEN)

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Publication Information

Kalamazoo, Michigan : Department of Parks, 1949.

Physical Description

41 photographs, maps, and newspaper clippings in binder (30 x 30 cm)

Summary

"This collection of photographs are presented in an effort to exhibit pictorially how we design, how we have built and how we maintain those areas entrusted to our responsibility"--Administrative comments section, by B. L. Gilbert, Superintendent.

Notes

Includes index.

"The binder was in the papers belonging to my grandfather, B. LeRoy Gilbert (1900-1957), an avid photographer, who worked for the City of Kalamazoo from 1933 through the early 1950s, serving as Parks Superintendent and City Manager. I am also enclosing some newspaper clippings which give some context -- Brian Hubbell" --letter in back of binder, dated November 27, 2018.

Contents

  • Kalamazoo's major parks: Dickinson Field, 65.00 acres
  • Ver Sluis Park, 15.50 acres
  • Verburg Park, 5.67 acres
  • Rockwell Playground, 4.63 acres
  • Sherwood Park, 4.83 acres
  • Red Arrow Park, 107.22 acres
  • Riverview Park, 30.00 acres
  • Reed Street Park, 1.52 acres
  • South Side Playground, 6.78 acres
  • Hays Park Woods, 23.64 acres
  • Milham Park, 184.25 acres
  • Blanche Hull Park, 83.20 acres
  • Oakwood Beach & Park, 4.50 acres
  • Crane Park, 9.20 acres
  • Cross Town Parkway, 20.00 acres
  • Axtell Park, 20.13 acres
  • Upjohn Park, 20.00 acres
  • Bronson Park, 4.34 acres
  • College Park, 5.80 acres
  • Lovell Street Park, 1.35 acres
  • Jones Park, 1.46 acres
  • Henderson Park, 2.04 acres
  • Memorial Park, 15.00 acres
  • La Crone Playground, 5.00 acres.
  • Newspaper articles related to the civic achievements of B. Leroy Gilbert: B. Leroy Gilbert, who has done much to develop city's parks, intended to be a physician (Kalamazoo Gazette, February 19, 1940, 2:2)
  • Kalamazoo's unique playground design attracts attention throughout nation (Kalamazoo Gazette, January 1, 1950, 1:4)
  • Acting city manager job to Gilbert (Kalamazoo Gazette, January 1, 1950, 1:4)
  • City names Gilbert to Clark post (Kalamazoo Gazette, March 28, 1950, 1:8)
  • Acting city manager (Kalamazoo Gazette, March 31, 1950, 6:1)
  • Oldest department heads fete retiring manager (Kalamazoo Gazette, April 1, 1950, 20:4)
  • Gilbert, now manager, gets salary boost (Kalamazoo Gazette, August 15, 1950, 1:3)

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