City Park

140 NW Park Drive  |  Est. 1908

In October 1906, McMinnville residents began raising money for a new city park. By 1907 enough park bonds were sold to purchase 8.5 acres of land that Contractor and Landscaper J.A. Gilbertson designed in 1908.

Plans included a grandstand, a playground, and lake complete with a sprinkling system, and water tower for irrigation. Tennis courts, and a pavilion were also added. 

At one point, the park included a pond and a small zoo where bears, deer and other animals were kept. In 1917, the animals were sold, and a $3500 bond issue was passed in that year for a park driveway, concrete for the pond, and comfort stations in the lower park. 

Construction of the Soper fountain was approved in 1927 with $8500 of bonds issued for purchase of the Star Mill property including the millrace, the millpond, and water rights. The old pool was donated to the Garden Club for a sunken garden, which was never built. Ralph Wortman donated a monkey pod tree to the park in 1939. 

The park has been a mainstay of life in McMinnville for decades. It has been home to an armory, a classic bandstand and several swimming pools, one of which featured a small replica of the Statue of Liberty. It currently hosts Soper Fountain, an excellent playground, the city pool, and a Giant Sequoia which serves as the City
                                                                Christmas Tree.  

                                                                 For images of the the property, and further details, check out the links below:

                                                                 Historic Resources Inventory Documentation - City Park
                                                                 Historic Resources Inventory Documentation - Fountain