The Names Behind the Parks

Who Were the People?

Who exactly were the individuals who have had city parks named for them? Some were prominent citizens and pioneers whose contributions are well known, while others less so. Drawing upon the research from the book City of Kalamazoo Parks by John Urschel (2008), the following are brief descriptions of those whose names have been historically connected to preserved parcels of land, some notably pronounced in scale and use, while others only a diminutive plot of open land, easily undetected. For more information about specific parks, see: Parks.

Axtell Creek Park: Named for pioneer farmer Benjamin F. Axtell. The city acquired the land in 1965 from B. Upjohn.

Axtell Park: Named for pioneer farmer B.F. Axtell, and was developed in conjunction with flood control efforts near the creek (of the same name) and Crosstown Parkway.

Blanche Hull Preserve: Named for Hull, a philanthropist, civic leader and former board president of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Hull and her sister Frances Pratt had the land donated after they had both passed away. In fact, it is not a land preserve, but a city park.

Bronson Park: Named for Kalamazoo’s first white settler, who bought and platted the land that became the Village of Bronson (later changed to ‘Kalamazoo’ in 1836).

Charles H. Farrell Park: Named for the former mayor who held office in 1910-1911.

Crane Park: Named for developer and lawyer Edgar Crane, who lived at nearby 2125 Crane Avenue.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park: Named after the African American civil rights leader in 1987, who in December of 1963, gave a speech at Western Michigan University. The park had previously been named Kingston Park, after our then Sister City (Kingston, Jamaica).

Egleston/Fairbanks/Lay/Lane Boulevards: Technically, the thin strips of greenery along these four streets are overseen by the Parks Department. Frank B. Lay and Moses H. Lane were related to another through marriage (Lane was married to Lay’s sister Ida). The two operated the Michigan Buggy Company. Lorenzo Egleston was a 19th century businessman who partook in the lumber and spring axle industries.

Ethel Rockwell Playground: Named for the leisure time activist who spent years on the Kalamazoo Recreation Committee. She espoused the benefits of exercise and recreation for everyone, not just the wealthy.

Fray’s Park: Named for local developer Alvin Frays.

Harrison Park: Named for pioneer Nathan Harrison, who operated a nearby ferry business in the 1830s.

Hays Park: Named for Charles B. Hays, former mayor and prominent businessman in real estate and paper manufacturing.

Henderson Park: Named after Frank Henderson, developer and businessman (see: Henderson-Ames Company).

James McDivitt Springmont Tot Lot: Named for former Oakwood resident and Central High School graduate Brigadier General James McDivitt, who was part of the Gemini/Apollo space program.

Jones Park: Named for William O. Jones, president of J.R. Jones & Sons, a department store at East Michigan and Rose.

Krom & Prouty Tot Lot: Named for Andrew Krom and Amariah T. Prouty, two 19th century farmers who developed portions of the Northside and Stuart Neighborhoods.

Lacrone Playground: Named after William Lacrone, former superintendent of the parks department who was instrumental in the expansion of parks throughout the city during the 1920s and 1930s.

Lovell Park: Named for pioneer and first county attorney, Cyrus Lovell.

Milham Park: Named for John A. Milham, the farmer who sold the land to the City of Kalamazoo.

Rose Park: Named for Harry Rose. The city acquired the land from Rose with the financial help from the Kalamazoo Little Gardens Club in 1922.

Sherwood Park: Named for Thomas Sherwood (not to be mistaken with Judge Thomas R. Sherwood, for whom the street is named), a farmer who owned land in the triangle between E. Michigan and E. Main.

Upjohn Park: Named for Dr. William E. Upjohn, former mayor, philanthropist and pharmaceuticals manufacturer.

Verburg Park: Named for former mayor Cornelius Verburg.

VerSluis-Dickinson Park: Named for Reint and Dena VerSluis and Bartlett C. Dickinson, and developed in the 1930s and 40s as both a park and a collection of softball fields. Dickinson was a former city commissioner, and the Versluis family farmed the land previous to donating it to the city.

Woods Lake: Named for pioneer Smith L. Wood, who settled near the lake soon after arriving from New York state.

Written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, November 2024